14 | DECEMBER 19 • 2024 J
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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