framed images for rooms in the
building and constructed a per-
manent glass mosaic 7 feet wide
to reflect life at the orphanage.
“Imagery that we did showed
children playing,
” Kaplan said.
“We have an image of the Haiti
flag logo design, which is a
drum and a palm tree.
“We did a mosaic as a trip-
tych because it was easier to
transport the wooden boards
on which over 5,000 tiles were
placed. Everybody cut and
placed the tiles because it’s really
their artwork, and it shows their
community.
”
The types of work that Kaplan
planned were met enthusias-
tically by the children, Kaplan
said.
“The triptych was an excit-
ing project because they went
from the design to completing
it and really working together,
”
she said. “We talked a lot about
working together on a commu-
nity project, and I explained
about measuring the designs
and ordering supplies.
“It’s not just doing a design.
It’s about how to execute the
design and order supplies. It
became a little bit of a math les-
son for the kids to try to under-
stand what goes into being a

working artist and planning for
something like this.
”
Working days were from 8
a.m.-5 p.m. with Albom making
visits to see how they were
doing. After dinner, they were
ready to go to their rooms and
think about the next day.
Although the children’s center
is Christian, Jewish structures
and symbols entered into their
interests and projects. The
sisters from America brought
iPads and phones so the kids
could look up ideas.
“They were very thoughtful
children, and faith plays an
important part in their lives,
”
said Kaplan, a member of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
“They made a community sand
art installation to be hung in the
building. We talked a lot about
working together.
“One of the most touching
parts of the visit for me
happened when a young girl
asked how I say ‘love’ in Hebrew
and asked me to draw the
Hebrew letters,
” said Kaplan,
who showed her. “The girl, to
my surprise, then made me
a T-shirt that said ‘love’ with
Hebrew lettering for ‘love’
[ahavah].
”

DECEMBER 22 • 2022 | 51

TOP: Students at work
– and their art projects.
RIGHT: A student
artist paints a T-shirt.

BELOW: Hands individu-
ally created and signed
by each child.