Thanks to all our wonderful artists, donors, and volunteers, Tikkun Ha-Ir celebrated an uplifting year of caring and giving on June 19, 2019!
The proceeds supported Tikkun Ha-Ir’s main initiatives that bring fresh produce and vegetable-rich meals to pantries like the Jewish Community Pantry and Repairers of the Breach, and provide vital supplies to formerly homeless families to help them get back on their feet through partners like the Cathedral Center.
The honoree, Jody Hirsh, is the Director of Judaic Education at Milwaukee’s Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Also the winner of the 2014 Morton L. Mandel Award for Jewish Educational Leadership and the 2005 Covenant Award for Outstanding Jewish Educator, Jody heads the Jewish Artist Lab and Tapestry: Arts and Ideas from the Harry and Rose Samson Family JCC, and has curated programs including ‘Praying with Their Feet – A Conversation with Dr. Bernice King & Professor Susannah Heschel’.
Attendees participated in up to four art projects, two of which involved making traditional Jewish objects to take home, and two of which are service projects. The latter include decorating canvas bags for Tikkun Ha-Ir volunteers to transfer produce from farmers markets to pantries and meal sites, and painting mugs to donate to Friendship House, Cathedral Center’s transitional housing program for women and families.
The event included dinner, kid-friendly art projects, live music and Israeli dancing. In addition, there was a large art display and crafts for sale as well as a silent art-themed auction. A portion of all sales was donated to Tikkun Ha-Ir.
“We were delighted to engage community members of all ages at this intersection of art, Judaism, and social justice” said Executive Director Sami Stein Avner. “And who better exemplifies those aspects of the Jewish community than Jody Hirsh?”
