ARTS&LIFE
ART EXHIBIT

continued from page 79

80 | APRIL 27 • 2023 

MI became a major financial sponsor 
for Solomon’s exhibit at the gallery 
thanks to Lesley Kim, the organization’s 
treasurer. She is also the president of 
the Cleenwood Christian Foundation, 
which supported a mural painted the 
day after the gallery reception inside 
the boys’ middle school on the campus 
of Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield 
Hills. 
“I am so excited to have connected 

with Solomon and the gallery and hon-
ored to have him come to Michigan to 
endorse APAPA,” Kim said. 
“The April 16 event was amazing in 
that we celebrated the biggest Asian 
American group in Michigan collabo-
rating with our strong supporters in the 
Jewish community, Christians, and so 
many friends of other ethnicities in the 
spirit of diversity and harmony.” 
Incredibly, Solomon would squeeze 

yet one more mural out of his visit. It 
depicts Herzl, Jerusalem and a halutza 
(female pioneer) and is magnificently 
on display in the heart of Hillel Day 
School.

ROCK STAR TREATMENT
The diversity and harmony that Kim 
spoke of was indeed on full display at the 
“
Art of Israel Today” opening reception 
on April 16 at the gallery.

APAPA National Executive Director Henry Chang, APAPA-MI Treasurer Lesley Kim and Vice President G.B. 
Thimotheose, artist Solomon Souza, JCC Chief Programming Officer Judy Loebl, Janice Charach Gallery 
Director Natalie Balazovich and Yiftah Leket, senior community shaliach (emissary) for the JFMD. 

 Solomon Souza signs posters of his work.

A progression of the mural by Solomon Souza, now on view at the JCC.

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

JERRY ZOLYNSKY