Vandalism to Vision, SAAS & Bush Unite Community Through Artful Response

On April 17th, 2023, upon arrival to the Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Rabbi Daniel Weiner and his colleagues were confronted by antisemitic graffiti spray-painted on the remaining west wall of the original synagogue at 15th and Union.

Temple De Hirsch was founded in 1899 and has been a cornerstone for the Puget Sound Jewish community, Seattle interfaith community, and the Seattle community at large. In fact, Seattle Academy started at Temple De Hirsch in 1983, and the support and partnership between the two organizations has been invaluable.

SAAS continues to lease and use Temple De Hirsch buildings and grounds every day, including the outdoor area that was vandalized. What was once hateful graffiti will now live as a beautiful piece of art created specifically with community-building in mind.

In a poignant response to the vandalism that defaced the Temple on April 17, 2023, SAAS partnered with the Temple on a project of reclamation and unity. In a heartfelt letter to Head of School, Rob Phillips, Rabbi Weiner expressed the desire to transform the vandalized spot into a symbol of re-sanctification. In his letter, he said, “We are eager to invite young artists to craft murals that remake the space as much as they affirm our hopes that the next generation of leaders will bring a new consciousness to our world,” the Rabbi said. 

The call to action extended beyond SAAS, reaching out to the Bush School and the Wing Luke Museum. Both schools agreed to commence the project at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, and collaborative planning ensued, involving teachers from SAAS and Bush, as well as the Wing Luke Museum deputy director. While international events have been at the front of everyone’s hearts and minds, the teams regrouped in November, setting a new timeline for completing the mural by December 1st.

Today, SAAS and Bush contributed student-designed and painted images, with the Wing Luke Museum slated to bring in a professional mural artist to harmonize the murals through cohesive design elements. SAAS teachers leading the project included Ray Mack, Judy Temes, and Zoe Campbell, with support from the Facilities Team and the Visual & Media Department.

This endeavor builds on SAAS' tradition of using murals for healing, exemplified by a July 2020 project inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. The mural-painting initiative involved several SAAS students and art faculty to come together and create something beautiful amidst adversity. Reflecting on the endeavor, Lucy Waggoner ’20 said, “[we wanted to] create something that boldly says [to all]: ‘You are supported.’ Things are far from perfect, but [we believe] we can move towards something better.’ 

And that same sentiment rings true today with the goal of creating art to foster optimism for a better future. These mural projects underscore SAAS's commitment to leveraging collective public art as a powerful social expression and change tool.

Rabbi Daniel Weiner said, “In the aftermath of an act of profane vandalism to Temple’s sacred space, this mural is a powerful and tangible act of reconsecration and partnership, inspiring all of us to work to create a world worthy of the talents and spirits of the young people who craft it.”

To see progress photos of the Temple mural, click here.