OUR COMMUNITY
T
he heart of Hillel Day School has been
permanently transformed, thanks
to the mural work by Israeli artist
Solomon Souza. The 16-foot mural depicts
the prominent Zionist Theodor Herzl and a
female pioneer, or chalutzah, monochromat-
ically painted in shades of blue and high-
lighted in shades of gold, gazing out over
Jerusalem, often called the City of Gold.
This incredible permanent mural by the
talented Souza is based on one of Hillel Day
School’s core Jewish values, Zionism, or
Tzionut. Many students witnessed the artist
in action during the five hours that Souza
worked on the mural. Once it was com-
pleted, teachers and students as young as 2
years old visited the school’s mercaz (Hebrew
for center) to gaze up at the image with an
appreciation for the arts while learning about
the images and people depicted.
The piece was created just in time for Yom
HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, when
the whole school celebrated the 75th birth-
day of Israel with a carnival and activities.
“
As we celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, this
mural reminds us that Zionism has always
been an integral part of Hillel’s educational
philosophy as we teach our students to have
an unwavering commitment to the State of
Israel. It is so rewarding to see one of our
core Jewish values come to life through our
strong arts program,” said Dr. Darin Katz,
Head of School at Hillel Day School.
When looking at the mural (from left to
right), viewers will see Theodor Herzl: the
Father of Modern Zionism, the visionary
for the Jewish State and the organizer of the
Zionist Congresses.
In the middle is a landscape of the city of
Jerusalem — including the Old City’s Jaffa
Gate, traditional Jerusalem stylized build-
ings, Montefiore’s Windmill and the sun
rising over the city. The artist intentionally
depicted a sunrise, symbolizing a new day,
and shows Jaffa Gate illuminated as a bright
Solomon Souza mural reflects the school’s commitment to Zionism.
Israeli Street Artist Tags the
Walls of Hillel Day School
LAURA PASEK SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
36 | MAY 4 • 2023
The finished mural that now lives in the heart of Hillel Day School
ABOVE: Solomon Souza started
the mural using commercial
paint rollers. RIGHT: Solomon
Souza with the female pioneer he
painted.
LAUREN COHEN
LAUREN COHEN
LAUREN COHEN