MACCABEE TASK FORCE FOCUSED EVENTS
Taking Back the Quad + Building the Base + Coalition Building
TAKING BACK THE QUAD
Graffiti T-Shirt Event
Famous street artists customize free t-shirts with graffitied images and words of the students’ choosing. Students wear the shirts around campus throughout the year, giving consistent reminder of the day they connected with Israel. The personalized shirts capture student interest and we have had lines up to two hours long of diverse students waiting for their chance to get one made.
Graffiti Mural Program
Artists 4 Israel’s most well-known graffiti and street artists come to your campus to paint a massive mural of peace, unity and support of Israel. After putting up a large wall in the center of campus and getting to work, we draw students from all over campus who see and hear about this live art event and come over to watch…and participate! On the other side of the mural from where the artists are working, students are invited to try their hand with spray paint and we use their beautiful mess to make both sides of the mural creative, artistic and something for you to keep at your Hillel House or other cool space. This program is participatory, interactive, hands-on, artistic and creates a take-away so the impact lasts throughout the year.
BUILDING THE BASE
Painting Ideas
Painting Ideas helps us answer your most important questions – while making art. Each school is different but when it comes to Building the Base or reigniting interest and support in Israel from new or uninvolved students, the right answers can help us grow.
Painting Ideas begins with students being led in a discussion around a question of your choosing (for example: what does Israel mean to you?) These discussions are lively and interesting. Using the understanding that one picture is worth a thousand words, we have them draw their ideas on paper. Once done, students are brought up to a number of empty canvases and cans of spray paint. After an artist walks them through a quick spray paint tutorial, they get to paint their images.
Once done, the students leave and our professional artists go back in and “touch up” their paintings. The resulting art is clearly the design and handiwork of the students but looking more refined, polished and professional. You are left with multiple large canvases to hang in your building, in the school or as a thank you to your most involved students.
Gallery Show: Our Israel
Beautiful pictures of Israel and a curated art gallery reception reminds students why they love Israel, gives them a unique experience to attend and empowers them to continue fighting for their values and beliefs – helping Build the Base.
As students weather the onslaught of anti-Israel on-campus, their spirits can falter. After 2 years with limited travel when many have not been able to visit the country they love and be reinvigorated, it can be even more difficult to remember the reasons they care. Our images, shot by world-famous photographers of Israel’s natural beauty, its people and even some sites that only an artist would experience, can remind them of the country’s diversity, life and community.
More enticing, Artists 4 Israel will walk you through creating a professional, metropolitan style art gallery opening night reception as the way to view these images in person. Anyone can host a party but it takes true museum and gallery staff to give it the authentic feel. Allow us to create the most unique event to bring new students to participate with you and embolden those that already do.
D.E.I. Training
Artists 4 Israel has spent 12 years working with Black, Brown, Indigenous and LGTBA+ communities and that diversity has given us great value. Feeling qualified and supported can help Build Your Base. Artists 4 Israel’s 10 Offenses, a portion of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training gives students the confidence and courage they need to more proudly and intelligently step out and share their pro-Israel message. It makes formerly uninvolved students or those more concerned with other social justice movements or just self-identifying with different priorities feel welcome and encouraged to be part of something that embraces their ideals and identity.
COALITION BUILDING
Gallery Show: Israel’s Diversity
Beautiful pictures of Israel – curated with a specific focus on Israel’s relationship with non-traditional allies and marginalized communities – and a professional art gallery reception entices the active participation of non-Jewish student groups, creating the opportunity for Coalition Building and setting opportunity for future support and allyship.
The professionally curated art opening, designed by NY and LA based artists, get the students in the door. The focus on marginalized communities and their art and representation in Israel allows for a learning and connecting experience which can grow into true organizational friendship for the times when it is most needed.
Painting Ideas
Painting Ideas puts tough questions and important conversations into artistic form, creating beautiful works of art that bond Jewish and non-Jewish communities as makers of art and change. Coalition Building requires not just an interesting program but one that inspires the participation of other groups. Painting Ideas, with its opportunity to learn how to and actively spray paint a full work of art on canvas is enough reason for students from marginalized communities to join – the opportunity to have powerful conversations and reach thoughtful and impactful answers is the reason they will love the experience and share a lasting bond.
Painting Ideas begins with students being led in a discussion around a question of your choosing (for example: how can the Black and Jewish communities be better allies to one another?) These discussions are lively and interesting, led by you and our team of artists. Halfway through the conversation, we break the students into groups and continue the dialogue, challenging them to come up with one, cohesive idea. Using the understanding that one picture is worth a thousand words, we have them draw their ideas on paper. Then, they are taught how to and spray paint their own large canvas.
Once done, students leave and our professional artists go back in and “touch up” their paintings. The resulting art is clearly the design and handiwork of your participants but looking more refined, polished and beautiful. You are left with multiple large canvases to hang in your building, in the school as a thank you to your most involved students or to share with your new allies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training
The best way towards Coalition Building is to enhance the relationships we already have and teach ourselves how to respect and grow the new ones we gain. Artists 4 Israel has spent 12 years working with Black, Brown, LGTBQ, and international artists and gained an insight on how best to form friendships, partnerships and allyships. We have also seen the many ways these relationships can go wrong and, unfortunately, that it often happens in our own community. Artists 4 Israel’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training is a high-level, multi-day training for Executives of large non-profit organizations. The 10 Offenses, a discussion of the 10 mistakes most often made in interaction with non-traditional partners, is the crux of the DEI training and available for Hillel and other Jewish and Pro-Israel student groups to take the first step in not just building – but keeping and honoring – coalitions.
ALL VIRTUAL + IN-PERSON PROGRAMS
Real-Time, Collaborative Design with Students and Artist
Create a unique visual (shirt design, logo, flyer, artwork or other image) to celebrate your organization’s connection to Israel. Inspired by our on-campus graffiti program, collaborate with one of Artists 4 Israel’s graphic designers in real-time as we discuss the message you want to convey and start, edit and finalize the image(s) as you watch and direct the artist. This is both a dialogue where we grow our understanding of Israel and each other and also a deep dive into the artistic process. We’ll send you the professional files for you to use in multiple ways to show the beautiful and compelling version of your organization and its mission.
Tattoo Illustration Workshop Ft. Professional Tattoo Artist, Southpaw
Learn to draw real tattoo art while also re-living a world-class artist’s amazing experiences tattooing over the scars of terror survivors in Israel. Hear about Southpaw’s personal journey from despair to triumph in overcoming a physical disability of his own and finding comfort in Israel.
How can one create a tattoo for someone who’s suffering from trauma? How can it help those with atypical bodies? Zack Hunter, aka “Southpaw” is a tattoo artist who visited Israel with Healing Ink to tattoo over the scars of terror survivors and IDF soldiers injured in battle.
-Learn the creative process of drawing real tattoo art in this follow along workshop.
-Discuss effects of PTSD, mental and physical trauma and the acceptance of tattoo art in different cultures.
A Tour of Israel Through the Lens of a Hip Hop Icon: Estevan Oriol’s Israel and Its People
Experience Israel and its people for the first time through the lens of World famous Mexican-American photographer, Estevan Oriol. Then, break out the popcorn for his Netflix Documentary, “LA Originals”.
World famous Mexican-American photographer, Estevan Oriol became famous for photographing the underbelly of Los Angeles, from gangs to low-riders. He quickly became the go to photographer for A-list celebrities. Then, A4I brought him to Israel.. Oriol’s striking photography of Israel and its people, done in his trademark Los Angeles street style, shows the State of Israel in a brand new light. We take you through a virtual exhibit and share stories of his incredible experiences touring through the country.
-Take a virtual tour of famous photographer, Estevan Oriol’s beautiful images of Israel.
-Share with Latinx students to discuss shared identities.
-Pair with Oriol’s Netflix Documentary, “LA Originals”.
Uncovering Banksy
Who is Banksy?
According to the internet, “Banksy” is an anonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director whose satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His seemingly random art installations regularly make headlines every year, and many illustrate the Israel-Palestine conflict in a way no artist has been able to before. Join us as we discuss Banksy’s growth as an artist, how he found his unique voice and our role in his trajectory towards supporting Israel.
-Learn to interpret key elements of Banksy’s unique style and strategy.
-Find out the truth - who is Banksy. We reveal their identity.
Vote for Life-Saving Murals
You vote on each piece of work. Which mural will come out on top?
How do you rank life saving murals? Let’s have a vote. Artists 4 Israel has painted hundreds of murals, beautifying communities battered by war and distressed by hate. From transforming bomb shelters into works of art, to painting messages of peace and taking a stand against intolerance around the world.
More than just a review of beautiful art, this experience will share some of the most compelling stories behind some of the most impactful pieces of work in Artists 4 Israel’s history. Which artist painted which mural, where they are from, why they chose that spot and subject matter. Most importantly, this is a chance to learn about Israel in a bottom-up, a-political manner style. Showcasing work Black, Brown, Asian, Latinx and European artists.
Healing Ink Documentary Screening
Artists 4 Israel’s award-winning film, ‘Healing Ink’ follows sixteen of the world's most renowned tattoo artists as they travel to Israel to cover the scars of terror survivors and war heroes. Followed by a Q&A with the movie's producer.
This film has won multiple awards at non-Jewish Film Festivals. The topics are universal and appeal to lovers of Israel but also lovers of art, tattoos and provides an opportunity for mental health and trauma informed students to participate. The story of Israel’s challenges and resilience in the face of terrorism come through strongly without needing to be specifically promoted, creating a powerful advocacy opportunity.
The History of
Racism
in Tattooing vs. Israel
Until recently, tattooing was associated with racists, gangs, felons and outlaws. Get insider access to tattoo artists who know its history better than anyone else.
Racism is rarely discussed in the history of tattooing. Join us in a dialogue led by a tattoo artist who has experienced the dark side of tattoo culture as he describes the racist history of the art form, modern day jailhouse secret codes and how he and other artists like him are taking their art form back. Israel, a country in the middle east has recently embraced the art form. Has it dealt with the same problems? Hear from an artist who traveled there with A4I and speaks to the diversity in the art form and the country as a whole. He shares his personal growth through lessons learned from his experiences.
-Invite students from the Black community to engage in a dialogue led by a professional tattoo artist.
-Learn the seldom talked about history of a unique art form.
-See how tattooing in Israel has also evolved for the better.
Parallel Histories of Graffiti and the LGTBQ+ Community and Israel
It may not seem obvious but there is a very strong through line connecting the growth of graffiti, the evolution of the LGTBQ+ community’s struggles for civil rights and the foundation and development of Israel.
Find out through riveting individual testimony and academic information how all three communities are moving forward.
-Join with members of the LGTBQ+ community to learn about the history of graffiti and street art.
-Discover ways to combat hatred now and in future art forms.
No Means No: Women Respond to Male Violence Through Art
These women used art to transform some of the most suppressed voices into the loudest movements in the world.
“Femicide” is the killing of a woman or girl, in particular by a man and on account of her gender. Learn how the Israeli “Sticker Women” are covertly installing public displays of art that shock communities into being aware of the real impacts of sexual assault and violence towards women.
-Hear shocking accounts and witness amazing displays of art.
-Discuss how art can amplify your voice and the voices of the suppressed.
-Learn how the Sticker Women expanded their strategies to support women around the world.
The 10 Offenses: A D.E.I. Training for Jewish and Pro-Israel Leaders
Learn about common mistakes to avoid in order to enhance your student organization’s current coalitions.
Across all types of people and as true today as in the past, our friendships with progressive, minority, creative and non-Jewish partners are precious. Every organization is asking how to build their coalitions. They are missing the more important matter: keeping and enhancing our current friendships, strengthening and growing our existing partnerships. We must honor and respect our relationships that already exist, identify and eliminate potential causes of conflict and avoid ruining important coalitions.
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