Etz Chaim Launches ‘Art for a Mitzvah’ Project

In June 2022, Etz Chaim’s Rabbi Daniel Dorsch led a congregational trip to Israel. One of the visits in Jerusalem was to Yad LaKashish, a 63-year-old non-profit organization that engages more than 300 immigrant seniors to connect them into Israeli society through creative art projects. The finished artworks are sold and given to those who are in need.

Etz Chaim congregant Lynne Johannesen was particularly impressed with the program. Upon returning to Atlanta, she decided to start a congregational project based on the Yad LaKashish model called “Art for a Mitzvah.”

Etz Chaim has started its “Art for a Mitzvah” project to raise funds for Yad LaKashish, a nonprofit organization in Israel.

According to Johannesen, who sent a letter explaining the project to the Conservative, Marietta-based congregation: “The goal is to develop a self-sustaining program wherein all involved perform this mitzvah and, at the same time, feel happy, engaged, creative, self-satisfied, and involved with a sense of purpose and belonging.”

Sixteen women attended the launch of “Art for a Mitzvah,” starting in mid-January, participating for five Wednesdays at the shul. In all, they put in 240 hours and created 24 colorful, artful collaged wood trays. Many have sold, but the remaining works, which vary in size, are available for purchase ($54 each) on the Etz Chaim website at www.etzchaim.net/art-mitzvah.

Etz Chaim is selling collaged wood trays as a fundraiser to support Yad LaKashish, a nonprofit in Israel that integrates immigrant seniors into Israel society.

Half of the proceeds will be donated to Yad LaKashish in Israel, while the remainder will go toward purchasing supplies for the next congregational project.

The artists for the tray project were: Galina Barshay, Tammy Cohen, Janice Etscovitz, Lori Gilbert, Myra Goldberg, Lauren Gray, Bernice Isaac, Lynne Goldman Johannesen, Donna Krodman, Arlene La Vine, Fern Meharg, Roz Reiss, Miriam Rosenbaum, Bonnie Roth, Cindee Sapoznik, Marsha Shrago and Melissa Sklar.

The congregation will launch its second “Art For A Mitzvah” project starting at the end of April. It will be a woodworking project led by congregant Hank Needle, in which participants will craft Shabbat candle boxes.