Berkley High School Student Lauds Anti-Defamation League’s Dream

A news release:

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Michigan held ArtWorks ADL: Justice, Advocacy, & Art™ ArtWorks ADL on Nov. 17 at the Janice Charach Gallery at the West Bloomfield. ArtWorks was an exhibition, fundraiser, and silent auction event, highlighting the talents of nationally and locally acclaimed artists for the benefit of ADL.The evening was co-chaired by Pam Bloom, Leonard Sahn, Michael Chosid, Miriam Svidler .

The evening began as Berkley High School senior T.J. Bowers, who was invited to speak and amazed the attendees with his experience with the ADL. He spoke about how fortunate he feels to be included in the ADL school program, Dream Dialogue, an educational program funded by Michael Serling with Berkley and West Bloomfield High School students experiencing a cultural and educational experience with others outside the classroom setting.

“I’m inspired by ADL’s mission. After 100 years, it’s amazing that they can stand up for people of all ethnicities and races to support the mission that was created in 1913,” commented co-chair Pam Bloom.

ArtWorks ADL featured unique and donated artwork created by today’s leading emerging and established artists. Such artists as: Tony Roko, Bowen Kline, Michael Phillips, Donna Pellagato, Cynthia Nielson, Eileen Aboulafia, Jo Strausz Rosen, Michelle Sider, Bruce Finsilver, Ron Stearn, Robert Schefman, and Deanna Sperka “We had incredible artists participate and donate their artwork to the mission of the ADL. We had over 30 pieces donated and they all wrote a personal statement of how the Centennial theme “Imagine a World Without Hate” means to them and how their artwork reflects it, said Heidi Budaj , Executive Director of the Anti-Defamation. “In our first year we raised over $15, 000.” All the artists pieces and statements can be found at http://www.cvent.com/d/84q77z/6K.

Each piece of artwork – painting, photography, mixed media, or sculpture – focuses on one or more aspects of ADL’s mission, including anti-Semitism, extremism, racism, education, religious freedom, and Israel advocacy. “I was able to plan the logistics of the event as well as participate as an artist, said Jaimee Wine, ADL Events Manager. “ I have a new found appreciation for the art world and this is just the beginning of an amazing journey of learning and connecting with others through the arts.”

The artwork displayed shared each artist’s perspective on the mission of ADL. The goal of ArtWorks ADL was to engage, empower, and educate the Detroit community about the mission and impact of ADL through art. ArtWorks ADL celebrated ADL’s achievements over the last 100 years and recognized the League’s critical work as the voice of justice and fairness for all who have faced injustice, hatred, or bigotry. “The artwork displayed shared each artist’s perspective on the mission of ADL, said Jaimee Wine, ArtWorks ADL. “The event drew a diverse community for an amazing evening of entertainment, culture and education.”

ADL Michigan hosted the first ArtWorks ADL Jr. an art competition for metropolitan Detroit students in grades 9-12. The goal of the competition was to get young people to think about what hate means to them and share their artist interpretation of how a world without hate would look. “This event brought a new circle of participants into the ADL family welcoming all of the artists and especially the students who participated so enthusiastically,” expressing gratitude co-chair Leonard Sahn.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry and hate. ADL is celebrating its Centennial in 2013, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to securing justice and fair treatment for all people.

ADL ArtWorks has been generously underwritten by the Buckfire and Elconin families in memory of David Buckfire.