32 | DECEMBER 28 • 2023 
J
N

M

ichelle Sider has family mem-
bers living in Israel and serving 
in the Israeli military, and she 
remains worried about their safety as 
well as the safety of all Israelis and inno-
cent people affected by hostilities in the 
region. 
While Sider is in touch with those close 
to her and listens to news reports, the 
difficult conditions involving combat and 

antisemitism stay on her mind. Still, she 
does not want to sit back and let anxiety 
take charge. 
Sider reacted by deciding to use her 
skills as a mosaic artist and art therapist 
to draw together people who need to 
be distracted from apprehensions about 
Israeli relatives and friends. Showing 
strength is important to her. 
In a newly renovated Huntington 

Woods studio, where she will teach art 
to classes of eight to 10 students, Sider 
scheduled a free class for those holding 
concerns similar to hers. She supplied 
glass blocks (eight inches by eight inches 
by three inches), glass pieces and tools to 
use in the studio.
To get the word out about the opportu-
nity for a three-hour session where each 
could make an innovative mosaic lamp 
— especially appropriate for the theme of 
Chanukah — Sider put out digital mes-
sages and notified rabbis of smaller syna-
gogues in her area.
Seven women registered. 
“I did art therapy for many years, and 
this class is what I needed to do,” Sider 
said. “I knew I could provide an environ-
ment where we could come together in 
support and healing and use creativity to 
try and move forward.
“From Darkness to Light was the name 
of the class where we used glass blocks 
to start mosaic projects with a light to 
fit inside. People made whatever designs 
they wanted, and every lamp was so 
unique and beautiful. That was so moving 
for me.”

DEDICATED TO ISRAEL
The class was held during an evening and 
dedicated to the Israel Defense Forces 
(IDF). After Sider welomed everybody, 

OUR COMMUNITY

Artist Michelle Sider held a workshop
to help those anxious about their
Israeli loved ones and friends.

 R
elaxing 
Through Art

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Busy hands during the workshop

A glass lamp expressing calm.

