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