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Photos: Bikur Cholim Mosaic Unveiled

Bikur Cholim of Crown Heightses beautiful mosaic was unveiled today before the 7th grade classes students who created it. The young artists were there excitedly pointed and proudly showing off their part in the creation of the unique display of unity and creativity.

The Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights celebrated the children of the community on Thursday as the Bikur Cholim Community Mosaic was mounted publicly on Kingston Avenue. In honor of the 110th birthday of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, Bikur Cholim was proud to display the efforts of over 250 seventh grade children from seven neighborhood schools, who came together in a momentous display of spirit and unity to create a mosaic tile representation of the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim.

Sponsored by David and Eda Schottenstein, the mosaic was dedicated in the memory of the precious soul Alta Shula Swerdlow, of blessed memory. According to her mother, Mrs Hindel Swerdlow of Jerusalem, Israel, “the bright and youthful nature of the mosaic truly relates to Alta Shula OBM’s joyful personality. I am so proud that our daughter Shula’s memory will be elevated by being a part of this positive, effective organization. Thank you for validating our love and appreciation for her youthful and fun soul. This wall exemplifies both these characteristics.”

The tiles were painted last year during the first ever Bikur Cholim Month in Iyar by seventh graders from the schools: Darchai Menachem, Lubavitch Yeshivah, Oholei Torah, Ohr Menachem, Beis Chaya Mushkah, Beis Rivkah and Bnos Menachem. For the first time, each school had the opportunity to showcase the work of community organizations in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of chesed and community involvement to all students involved.

A native Australian, Mrs. Sarit Kramer, who designed and coordinated the project, was effusive in her praise for the schools and community organizations who were involved in the project. “It is amazing what we can achieve when we all come together,” she explained. “These schools should be commended for continuing on this path. Hopefully, this will give the children a taste and inspire them to do even more. After all, as the future of the community, it is vital to have them involved from a young age. Look what they can achieve! Their work speaks for itself!”

Serving as an inspiration to lend a helping hand, the efforts of the children who worked hard to promote this mitzvah will hopefully encourage the community to do the same. Beyond a physical depiction of the mitzvah of caring for those in need through the mitzvah of bikur cholim, the mosaic stands as a symbol of unity for the community.

Esther Blau, the community liaison board member, expressed that “many families are unfortunately experiencing medical hardships and challenges today. It is very important that we as a community become sensitive to our neighbors, friends, and relatives dealing with short term or chronic illness r’l. What better way to teach awareness, sensitivity and to give a helping hand, than by starting with our children.”

The children enjoyed refreshments sponsored by the Gutleizer family, and had their class photograph with their work. “It was the children’s day to shine and take pride in their efforts to help promote the Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim” says Bikur Cholim Volunteer Mrs. Kramer. Thanks to the generosity of the Fruchter and Gutleizer families of Apple Drugs, the children’ s mosaic has a permanent home on display on the corner of Crown Street and Kingston Avenue, in the heart of Crown Heights’ for all the community to enjoy.

Rabbi and Mrs. Swerdlow in Jerusalem expressed their gratitude to the Crown Heights community for their involvement in this beautiful project, and the mitzvos it will soon generate. “We will be forever grateful for the representation of this wall in such a public space. The positive actions that will be in effect due to the Wall will give great merit to our Shula’s elevation of soul. There is nothing that gives us greater joy.”

Teachers and organizers were deeply impressed by the depth and vision of the children’s artwork. After waiting almost a year to see the final assembled mosaic and on show, the children have been suitably rewarded by seeing the fruits of their labors displayed for the entire community to enjoy.

The inspiration has already begun. Mrs. Kramer adds, “I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that the community would respond with such incredible pride and excitement. It has taken on such momentum. On the day of our installation, I was shocked when a woman approached me in tears. She told me in all her years of living here, she had never seen anything so beautiful go up in Crown Heights”.

May the children’s art inspire us all to continue giving a helping hand to our fellow neighbors whenever needed and bring a Refuah Shlema to all.

The Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights is a volunteer-based organization that provides support for the needs of the medically distressed in the Crown Heights community. They are committed to play a meaningful role in a patient’s recovery with kindness, compassion, and utmost regard for privacy, as guided by Halacha.

For information about Bikur Cholim and its services, visit bikurcholimch.org. To get involved, email info@bikurcholimCH.org or call (718) 467-1661.

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29 Comments

  • lets make crown heights beautiful

    Are you thinking what I’m thinking? If we can get murals like this up, community effort stuff, on different spots on the avenue, we could have a beautiful avenue!!! The mosaic is sophisticated and lovely…let’s do more of this.

  • Chaya M.

    SHAYNA BLOCK! San Antonio misses you!! :( :) see you in a few weeks for pesach!

  • best roomates ever

    SHAYNA BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    can spot u from a mile away =)

  • a grateful member in the community

    Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights is truly an amazing organization. During our hardship members of the organization kept on calling us to find out what there is that they can help us out with. THey helped us in so many ways, and we will always be grateful and thankful to them! May Hashem continue to give each one of them the koach to helping all hose that they do and may eeryone who needs a refuah sheleima recieve it immediately!!,

  • toronto

    Even in toronto I get to be proud of my fatherm
    Looken good can’t wait to see you next week!
    And beutiful pix with avremel although we wish we could have heard him at the wedding 2 nights agom
    O well

  • >:(

    why didnt they put up bnos menachem no fair are we so tznius that we cant see our own pictures
    this is terrible

  • ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    what happend to bnos menachem why didnt you put our pictures up we took time to go see the tiles and have pictures taken and you didnt even put them here what was the point of waisting our time we exist too

  • Neighbor

    I cannot explain how much bikur cholim has helped my family get through these times. They have stepped in where no one else has and we appreciate all the hot meals and visits you have all made. I am so happy that the community is supporting such a special Mitzvah. I know there are unfortunately many more people that need help so please keep supporting and volunteering. I’m here to tell you it really saved us in more ways than you can imagine. Thank you to Bikur Cholim and all of the special volunteers for helping us out! This project is beautiful. Kol Hakavod. Moshiach Now!

  • Crown Heights Resident

    I have lived here a long time and it just amazes me how much time and dedication Esther Blau has devoted to so many community causes. This is a really beautiful addition for our community. Thank you Esther and all the Organizers of this Mosaic. May you all be blessed with the strength to continue your special and much needed services. Thanks for such great photos!!

  • u rock the house down

    go mendy mochkin and sruli edelman u rock nice going (: (: