Meet Lilach Schrag, Artist in Residence
This year was a tough year, so when brainstorming we thought about how we can help people feel comforted and empowered through shelter and community. So we came up with the idea of making sukkot (sheltering structures) that will have painted banners carrying images and quotes relating to the sukkah. We wanted to bring people together and symbolize unity despite different backgrounds and diversity, with awareness of environment and overcoming uncomfortable and challenging situations like less desirable weather.
“The campers who participated looked at the meaning of the sukkah, its purpose, and the origin of the holiday Sukkot which is one of the most ancient holidays mentioned in the Torah. We looked at images of temporary shelters as they are used today in the desert in Israel, in the same locations where the people of Israel roamed for 40 years thousands of years ago. Then we looked at how artists interpreted it in paintings and in architecture. We looked at the different materials they use and different designs, being aware of how to incorporate nature.
For each of the two sukkahs we created, we purchased and assembled a 10×10 structure.
Solelim created the sukkah that’s been installed by the lake. Their sukkah’s theme was centered around values. Bogrim and Machon created the sukkah that’s been installed by the sports area. The theme they chose for their sukkah is growth and community.
All groups worked so beautifully. It takes a lot to collaborate as artists. It was amazing to see how involved they all were. In the end the intention is for these to be a place to reflect, relax and meditate.
Lilach Schrag Artist-in-Residence
An exhibiting artist with a teaching degree from Hamidrasha Art School in Israel and a MAJPS from Spertus institute in Chicago, Lilach has a special passion for leading collaborative art installations. For ten years she was Rosh Omanut at Ramah Day Camp, and currently teaches Art at RZJHS in Deerfield, Illinois.
Meet Jacob Shapiro, Artist in Residence
Jacob Shapiro, artist in residence in nagarut (woodworking), sees his role at camp as five-fold: to elevate the woodworking education program, to lead intensive projects, to do professional development with the staff, to help ensure a pipeline of future nagarut staff, and to focus on nagarut being a campwide support facility that is available to enhance and bring to fruition the visions of other anafim (specialty areas) in support of their programming needs.
“I come to camp setting an intention to identify the needs of other people and help them accomplish their goals. The projects I led this summer were building cutting boards done by Bogrim, and building round benches for one of the Machon intensive projects.”
Jacob Shapiro Consultant – Nagarut (Woodworking)
Jacob lives in Skevanston, Illinois with his wife Miranda and sons Sidney and Asa. Jacob has a BA in Architecture from Princeton University and is the owner of Vero Design + Build. Jacob has been coming to camp for a very long time.
