Kol Nidrei Address by Chairman of the Board Mark First
Mark First, Chairman of the Board
September 24, 2023 ~ 10 Tishrei 5784
Ellen Alt, Artist-in-Residence
Israel and World Jewry have been celebrating the 70th year of Israel’s statehood since Yom HaAtzma’ut (Israel Independence Day) last May. At PAS, Israel has been our theme for the year, celebrated through guest speakers, festivities, study, and song. To culminate this yearlong focus, we have created a giant mural out of hundreds of postcards decorated by members of the community. The postcards show the multifaceted nature of Israel and include depictions of high tech, food, animals, history, geography, and cultural achievements. Quotations from the Bible and liturgy address our global connection to Israel and world Jewry. Through workshops in every synagogue department, members of all ages and interests have participated in creating the mural.
Now it is time for the next phase of this exciting project: SELFIES! We are asking you to take a selfie with the mural as the background. You may take a selfie of yourself alone, with your family, or with friends, classmates, or another group. Please send your photos to communications@pasyn.org. Type “Israel Mural Selfie” in the subject line of the email, and please send the photos at original size. Photos will be posted on the Park Avenue Synagogue Facebook page and may appear in print publications; however, not every photo will be used.
The Israel postcard mural will be displayed in several places throughout the PAS campus:
• From November 2 to 28, it will be in the lobby at 89th Street.
• On November 29, it will be in the Sanctuary for the Israel trip orientation.
• Throughout December, it will be in the gym at 90th Street.
When you see this novel and engaging congregational project, please check it out. Then turn around, take a selfie, and send it to us.
We look forward to seeing you in front of the mural!