A dedicated network of Shluchim has spread across the globe, answering the Rebbe’s call to reach every single Jew. They teach, inspire, love, guide, and give generously of their time and wisdom to uplift others.
Yet every Shliach carries a dream. He dreams of the day when his community members begin to engage with Torah and mitzvos on their own. He dreams of students from his Hebrew school teaching their younger siblings about mitzvos. He dreams of parents being inspired by their children’s excitement for Yiddishkeit and taking small steps forward in their own relationship with Hashem.
That dream can now become a reality.
Introducing the Shabbat Art Contest. Open to Jewish girls from middle school through college, the contest is divided into three tracks, giving girls of all ages the opportunity to explore Shabbos and what it means to them personally. Through the creative process, participants engage deeply with the ideas behind this mitzvah. Instead of simply being taught information or told what to do, girls use their creativity to explore one of the central mitzvos entrusted to Jewish women.
The focus is not only on talent, but on giving every girl a space to express her connection to Shabbos in her own way.
The Rebbe taught, “Those who have been Divinely gifted in art, whether sculpture or painting and the like, have the privilege of being able to convert an inanimate thing, such as a brush, paint, and canvas, into a living form.” Art is one of the most powerful ways to connect to ideas, to others, and to oneself.
Brush Hour is no stranger to this approach, having built its entire program around painting and reflecting on Shabbos.
“We have seen art do the most amazing things,” shared Chana Barash, Director of Brush Hour. “Girls who may be sitting uncomfortably together while learning about the mitzvah of Shabbos candles suddenly come alive when we begin to paint. The creativity and bonding make them much more receptive and excited about the mitzvah. We hope the art contest will take this impact to the next level.”
Now in its fifth year, Brush Hour was founded to transform Mivtza Neshek from a one second street encounter into a meaningful, lasting relationship with teens. When students meet a Lubavitch girl, stereotypes are broken. They see a happy, confident peer who is proud of her Yiddishkeit, and that is a game changer. Yiddishkeit is no longer perceived as something only for Shluchos. It becomes relevant and accessible to girls their own age.
“This visibility is incredibly powerful,” explains Mrs. Mushkie Lipskier of Adelphi University.
The impact goes both ways. As Rabbi Mendy Wolf, founder of Brush Hour, explains, “This initiative benefits not only the students and teens, but the Lubavitch girls as well. True growth happens when we give. When we share what we know, we internalize it more deeply. This is a value the Rebbe ingrained into our consciousness. We are not takers. We carry a responsibility to give.”
The Shabbat Art Contest now brings the message of Shabbos candles to the global community.
“Through the contest, we can reach girls wherever they live,” shared Riki Volovik, Brush Hour’s Program Director. “We have already received submissions from across the United States, and we are excited to expand this worldwide.”
For information on how to involve your community in this inspiring initiative, visit www.brushhour.info/contest
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Chana Barash is the best!!!
Go Chana…keep on BArashing!
Riki is incredible !!