2024 Kishroniyah Mural
In this short video, our 2024 Kishroniyah mural participants explain the meaning behind all of the imagery in the gorgeous new mural they designed and painted, entirely from scratch, overseen by our incredible specialist Tova Speter.
The creativity of our campers is extraordinary. Take a listen and see for yourselves. The full text is also written below.
Kishroniyah is one of our centerpiece programs for our Tzad Bet (B-Side) chanichim (campers). Kishroniyah comes from the Hebrew word kishron, which means skill. For one week each summer, we invite an array of high-level specialists into camp to run intense special programs for our older campers. Machon and Nivonim have 12 hours of Kishroniyah from Sunday-to-Wednesday, and Magshimim and Bogrim have 8 hours of Kishroniyah from Wednesday-to-Friday.
Tova Speter is an artist, art therapist, art educator, and arts consultant based in Newton, MA. She specializes in working with adolescents, and has more than fifteen years of experience leading community mural projects in the greater Boston area and internationally in Argentina, China, Panama, and Israel. Find out more about Tova’s work (and see pics from past Ramah collaborations) at: www.tovaspeter.com. Tova also has a private practice offering art therapy and mental health counseling services; works as a consultant with congregations interested in exploring innovative ways to infuse more arts-based experiences into their programming; and is the founder and director of The MEM Project, a Boston-based venture that engages individuals through the artistic process as a means to explore Jewish identity and encourage connection with under-served communities through collaborative mural projects. Find out more about The MEM Project at www.thememproject.org.
2024 Kishroniyah Mural Explanation:
This year the summer theme at Camp Ramah is the Shema. While many think of it as a personal meditative prayer, there are many different ways to experience the concept of Shema. This mural depicts the moments where we Shema (listen) to nature, to each other, to the community, to Israel, and to ourselves. It is about being present and focused in the moment so we included a focal point in the center of the mural of one of our favorite times to connect with nature and each other – stargazing. The campers are looking up and reflecting while looking up at 18 stars that make up our “Shema constellation.” This scene is framed by a yellow ribbon which we included in solidarity with the hostages whose lives were altered during the events on October 7. We included the words Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael as that is a meaningful time when we sing out every day to our brothers and sisters here and in Israel. It also has the words Al Tiskach et HaTikva, which means “don’t forget the hope,” and reminds viewers to never lose hope which is also something we think about when we say the Shema.
The right side of the mural depicts a sunrise with the sun also represented as a closed eye that is crying. Though this summer has been tough for many, we have to take the bitter with the sweet so we included the words of Al Kol Eleh scattered throughout the mural. The tears turn into rain drops that fall on the heads of campers dancing in the rain (another time we are present in nature and with each other) and alludes to the idea of “we will dance again.” The rain also falls onto sunflowers with Hebrew letters that spell out Shema. The sunflowers are included in memory of Marcy, a beloved member of our Machane (camp) as they were her favorite flower. As an organ donor she contributed to 8 people in need so we have 8 leaves that continue to grow.
When we think of the Shema as a prayer, we think about references to a tallit, tzitzit, and tefillin therefore they are all depicted as flowing from an open siddur and swirling together in the wind. Also swirling around is a camper walking alone on a path, showing the importance of taking time for ourselves, appreciating nature in a solitary way, and connecting with our spirituality more personally.
The left side of the mural depicts the sunset because the Shema is also sung in the nighttime. To the left of the ribbon is a Medurah scene. The Medurot are an important part of camp because they bring the Edot closer together. Rad Hayom is sung so the Edot names are written in music notes floating up the mural. The Shema has hand motions that go along with it. We included V’ahavta in a cloud with the motion of making heart hands connecting to it, symbolizing the love we have for G-d, camp, and each other. Swirling out of the other side is a dove holding an olive branch to represent peace.
Below that is the Agam with a gazebo in front of it. The gazebo has a mezuzah which is another place where we find the Shema. Nature is represented again here as something we listen to and the Agam is one of the biggest and most important parts of nature at Camp. The gazebo is a place to be alone or with friends and listen to yourself and each other. Above the cloud with the V’Ahavta , there is a rainbow to portray happy transitions. On the right side of the mural is rain and tears but as you move forward to the other side, there’s a rainbow for happiness as we all try to keep joy in our hearts. The last way this mural depicts the Shema is because we worked together to paint it which brought us closer as a community, and when we say the Shema, we do it all together as a community.