Tu B’Shevat Art Contest 2022

The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation celebrated Tu B’Shevat with an art competition entitled, “We Are the Tree of the Field.”

Students in Lauder Foundation schools, grades 7-9 participated in the theme, “For a human is a tree of the field”- “כי האדם עץ השדה” (Deuteronomy 20:19). This subject is relevant to the global climate crisis, and to humanity’s obligation to preserve the Earth “לעבדה ולשמרה ” (Genesis 2: 5).

The current Jewish year is a Shmita year – “the Shabbat of The Land.” It is the seventh year of the seven-year Israel agricultural cycle, based on the Torah. During Shmita, the land is left to lie fallow. All agricultural activity, including plowing, planting, pruning and harvesting, is suspended, respecting the earth and letting it rest. This demonstrates humanity’s responsibility to appreciate, preserve and respect nature.

The relationship between human beings and trees is a major theme in Jewish writing, literature, music and art. As such, the Lauder Foundation challenged students to create their own productions of the motif – the connection between trees and humans. Students had the liberty to use any medium of choice, including drawing, painting, photography, collage, digital art, shapes, letters, etc.

Each participating country chose three winners on a national level, based on a panel of judges which included the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation Country Representative, School Director, Jewish Studies Teacher and Art Teacher. Then, the honorable Mrs. Jo Carole Lauder determined the final winner of the competition – on the international level.

The international winner of the Lauder Tu B’Shevat Art contest is Michal Halpern, from the Lauder Beth-Zion School in Berlin. Michal named her work, “The Choice of Today for the World of Tomorrow.”. She explains her piece: Exquisite, Breathtaking. The world God gifted us. Every day, each individual faces a moral choice to protect or to destroy. Careless, selfish actions or thoughtful, intentional ones. Will there be a beautiful, flourishing garden of the world for our grandchildren? The choice is ours!

The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation commends Michal, all the participants and judges for their enormous creativity, talent and contribution to this exciting program!