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December 19, 2024 - Image 6

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 2024-12-19

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

14 | DECEMBER 19 • 2024 J
N

O

n Sunday, Nov. 24, Hillel Day
School hosted an art installation and
dedication ceremony of a beautiful
mosaic made in loving memory of Samantha
Woll, created by artists Gail Kaplan and
Dani Katsir, along with direct input from
her family and friends. The artwork honors
Woll’s incredible legacy, which includes a deep
dedication to mitzvot and an unwavering
passion for fostering unity and community.
It was a tribute organized by members of
Woll’s 1997 Hillel graduating class.
Within the first few months after Woll’s
death, Kaplan, a community artist with close
ties to Hillel for decades and whose daughter
was in Woll’s graduating class, was contacted
about doing a tribute. It was one of Woll’s
classmates, Rebecca Singer, who first reached
out.
The process took some time, but the end
goal was always to honor Woll’s memory.
Kaplan got permission from the Woll family
and met with Hillel administration about the
logistics of making this happen. Both sides
welcomed the idea of honoring Woll on Hillel
grounds.
Kaplan and Katsir visited Hillel about a
dozen times trying to find the right location
for the mosaic. Eventually, they found the
perfect home — outdoors in the courtyard,
keeping Woll’s love of nature in mind.
With personalized, meaningful suggestions
from Woll’s family, friends and graduating
classmates, the artists began to work on a piece
that represents Woll and the values she stood
for, a piece of art that will stand the test of
time just like her legacy.
At the event, Kaplan spoke about the
artwork, the many contributions the
graduating class had in the design concept and
the images on the mosaic representing Woll,
the first one being the pomegranate.
The fruit’s 613 seeds correspond with the
613 mitzvot in the Torah, and the pomegranate
skin holds the seeds within, symbolizing
community. As one of the seven species of
Israel, the image has been used on priestly

Members of Samantha
Woll’s 1997 Hillel Day
School graduating class
organize a lasting tribute
on school grounds.

A
Meaningful
Mosaic

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

OUR COMMUNITY

PHOTOS BY AMY SAPEIKA AND AMY SCHLUSSEL)

Samantha Woll’s
sister Monica
Woll Rosen,
artist Gail Kaplan
and Samantha’s
parents Douglas
and Margo Woll
pose at the mosaic.

continued on page 16

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