Group Art Show Explores ‘Spiritual Defense’ of the Land of Israel

Positive action comes in many forms, including creative works on display in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Chabad.org Staff September 7, 2014 2:55 PM

As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza raged on this summer, Jews around the world asked what they could do to help the people of Israel. An outpouring of love and support came in the form of rallies, demonstrations, food packages for soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, donations, acts of kindness and good deeds, and more.

In Brooklyn, N.Y., another supportive effort can be found via an exhibition at The Creative Soul Gallery, which is hosting a group art show titled “Spiritual Defense,” exploring the power of mitzvot and positive action in the defense of Israel.

The idea behind the show is: In addition to the obvious needs of the IDF to do its job keeping citizens safe, what can others do to help? 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.

“The Torah states that the true protection of Jews everywhere, including in the Land of Israel, is a result of the fulfillment mitzvot,” notes co-curator Rabbi Yitzchok Moully of The Creative Soul, citing the verse, “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).

Moully, an artist and youth director for Chabad-Lubavitch in Basking Ridge, N.J., runs a daily blog, Art for the Soul, on Chabad.org

Moully notes that the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—emphasized that “ … The eyes of G‑d are on the Land of Israel, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year,” (Deuteronomy 11:12), a concept that is reflected in much of the artwork on display.

The show features work by artists Alyse Radenovic, Batya Kuncman, Bonnie Kozek, David Baruch Wolk, Dovid Orlansky, E. Rosen, Hila Ben Itzhak, Leah Raab, LNM, Lynn Russell, Mushkie Silman, Natalia Kadish, Rivka Nehorai, Moully, and Elyssa Wortzman of the Jewish Art Salon, who co-curated the event.

The opening reception is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m., at the Creative Soul Gallery, 386 Kingston Ave., in Brooklyn. The wine-and-cheese reception is open to the public and sponsored by Natural & Kosher Cheese.

The show will be on display at the gallery Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, Sunday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.