42 | AUGUST 22 • 2024 Local artist helps Israelis heal through sand art. Art Healing as ABOVE: Kaplan relayed directions via Zoom on how to use sand and adhesives to create art. RIGHT: Israeli directors manning the art tables in a family park. Gail Rosenbloom Kaplan ARTS&LIFE ART SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER G ail Rosenbloom Kaplan of Farmington Hills is a multi- media artist who gives time and professional leadership to build community-healing projects. Some projects have reached out to children in Michigan hospitals, and one project was at the center of flying her to a Haitian orphanage before gangs took control of the country. Most recently, she used Zoom to connect with an Israeli program helping those recovering from terrorist attacks. While reading an article in a publication offered by Hadassah, Kaplan learned about the Koby Mandell Foundation, named after a terrorist victim, which sponsored Israeli programs geared toward healing. It was the basis for her deciding to add her own instructive talents to what was being offered. A University of Michigan art graduate who has taken part in professional interests for some 40 years, Kaplan suggested functional projects that involved working with 15 colors of sand and sticky board surfaces. She expressed her ideas to the Israeli people in charge, and she communicated her ideas and approaches in a Zoom meeting that showed techniques to instructors. Funds to support project supplies were collected from Kaplan’s neighboring donors who wanted to remain anonymous. The original article Kaplan saw, “Community Can Save Us,” which prompted her to think about how to design with sand and adhesive materials, infused the way she demonstrated how different objects can be made with those materials and how Jewish symbols and various images can be put on dishes, trays and other designs. “In Israel, they have a large gathering of people in a park-like setting, and they have many different activities that participants can do,” Kaplan said. “The goal is to use art as healing in a way that gives them something of interest to think about. “Some people use dance or writing or music to achieve the same goals, but my work is about using art in the healing process. In working with children in hospitals, I found that art is a way to give troubled youngsters a different focus than their illnesses.” Kaplan’s concern for providing art interests to Israeli victims of terrorism first prompted her to think about those facing loss and injuries to family members of participants, but she moved on to those who lost precious personal property. She decided that the individuals in healing workshops could design some new items for their homes. SUCCESS IN ISRAEL “Our counselors ran the art table and showed how to use the materials,” emailed Eliana Mandell, who helps with the programs in Israel. “About 200 families have taken part in our projects. “These activities allow our participants to create and use their hands while giving them the opportunities to sit down and relax and talk to each other.” Mandell made observations as she evaluated the various programs offered to those who have experienced the severe distress brought on by terrorist attacks and needed coping techniques. “We incorporated an art table on the day we had for families before Pesach where they could create sand art that was Pesach-related,” Mandell said. “It was a day with rock climbing, laser tag and great food. “The purpose of our programs is to bring bereaved families together to allow them the opportunity to talk and connect and heal together. The art table that Gail helped provide allowed the families the opportunity to connect while creating beautiful objects at the same time.” Kaplan hopes to have more Israeli projects with the help of donors. “It feels good to know that our community is reaching out to help through art,” Kaplan said. “It feels good to know that the arts are a way of healing. I provide the art supplies as well as financial support.” For those interested in supporting more healing projects in Israel, contact kobymandell.org. (201) 699-9944.