10 years ago

Exploring “Spiritual Defense” of Israel through Art

As the war raged on in Gaza this summer many Jews from around the world asked themselves ‘what can I do to help people in the Land of Israel’ ● In Crown Heights, the “Creative Soul” Gallery is hosting a group art exhibit titled ‘Spiritual Defense,’ showing how every Mitzvah adds to the safety and security of the land of Israel ● Full Story, Pictures

As the war raged on in Gaza this summer many Jews from around the world asked themselves ‘what can I do to help people in the Land of Israel’. There was an outpouring of love and support from many with demonstrations, food drives for the IDF, donations and much more. In addition to the need of the IDF to do its job keeping the people safe, what else can we do?

The Creative Soul Gallery is hosting a group art exhibit titled ‘Spiritual Defense’. The show aims to engage the audience in a dialogue on the ways in which the Jewish community throughout the world can stand together with their brothers and sisters in Israel through the power of Mitzvot.

Opening reception was held on Monday, September 8 at the Creative Soul Gallery, 386 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn NY. The wine & Cheese reception was open to the public and sponsored by Natural & Kosher Cheese. The show is on display in the gallery through October 2, and opens to the public.

The Torah states that the true protection of Jews everywhere and in the land of Israel, is a result of the fulfillment of the Mitzvot. “If you go in my statues…and I will grant peace in the Land, and you will sleep (peacefully) and no one will frighten you” (Leviticus 26;3-6)

It doesn’t matter how many Mitzvot one has done until now, or how one identifies Jewish-ly, each Mitzvah brings protection for the Jewish people in Israel and worldwide.
Our positive actions/Mitzvot create spiritual defense for Israel!

The artwork in the show explores different ways of responding to the hardships of Israel under attack. Some focused exclusively on the positive, and the actions of Mitzvot, while others explored the hardship of living under these times, while striving to be resilient. One artist made it easy to perform a Mitzvah by placing a QR code next to her work of a scribe writing a Torah, encouraging viewers to purchase a letter in the Torah – with one click.

Rabbi Moully framed the inspiration for the show; sharing the spiritual power of a single Mitzvah, how we in the diaspora can impact Israel in a positive way through our actions. Moully shared a few stories of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and his Mitzvah campaigns, most notably the campaign in 1967 to put on Tefillin on as many as possible, and the impact it had on the six day war.
Moully ended with a call for everyone present to perform an additional Mitzvah for Israel.

The show features works by Alyse Radenovic, Batya Kuncman, Bonnie Kozek, David Baruch Wolk, Dovid Orlansky, E. Rosen, Elyssa Wortzman, Hila Ben Itzhak, Leah Raab, LNM, Lynn Russell, Natalia Kadish, Rivka Nehorai and Yitzchok Moully.

Creative Soul Gallery – 386 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Gallery hours: September 8 – October 5, Sunday – Thursday 10am – 4:00pm.

Curators: Rabbi Yitzchok Moully for The Creative Soul, and Elyssa Wortzman for the Jewish Art Salon.

For more information visit www.TheCreativeSoul.org or call 908-448-1417