Emotional Photo at Kotel Ends Up Becoming a Painting

By Mendy Lipszyc

Last August, my wife Sara and I were in a gallery in Jerusalem, and saw a photo we loved, of a soldier, and a religious man praying next to each other by the Kotel (Western Wall).

It spoke to us, as it shows people from different backgrounds coming together in unity, praying to one Hashem.

However, my wife said to me why buy the photo, let’s recreate it with me in the photo. So the next day when we were by the Kotel, I saw 2 soldiers heading to the kotel, and asked if one would pose with me and the other would take the photo. I then posted the photo on Facebook.

Yesterday, driving to see my daughter in camp for her bat mitzvah, my wife says to me “I miss Israel”. Not a minute goes by, my sister messages with screenshot of an Instagram post with this painting.

The post was by artist Sara Blau of Crown Heights, and read:

“Today is the fast of the 17th of Tammuz (postponed from yesterday), a day when the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem and began a period of burning, looting, and murder, which ultimately led to the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash.

“Our Sages teach us that the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed due to Sinas Chinam- unconditional hatred that existed amongst Jews.

“And the way to rebuild it is with ahavas chinam- free, unconditional love to each other.

“When I saw this reference photo, I felt called to paint it. The Kotel, the unity, and the deep emotion of hope and prayer for the coming of Moshiach Now!” she wrote.

I reached out to the talented Sara Blau. We are in Crown Heights for one day only, and she was returning to Crown Heights. We met with her, and she graciously allowed us to buy the painting.

Thank you Faigy Topp for seeing the post, my wife for finding the artist’s number for me, and Sara Blau for this awesome 16×20 acrylic on canvas painting.