Artists 4 Israel Healing Arts Gala Program

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GALA 2017 DECEMBER 4

6 : 3 0 – 1 0 p.m.

A N E V E N I N G OF HEA LI NG, A RT, A ND CE LE BRAT ION To B enefit the Healing A rt s Ki t s

2017 DECEMBER 4

6 : 3 0 – 1 0 p.m.

Fifth Avenue Synagogue 5 East 62nd Street New York, NY 10065

AN E VEN IN G OF HE AL IN G, ART, A N D CE LE BRATIO N

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The Healing Arts Kits

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To Benefit the Healing Arts Kits

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A4I Gala Honorees

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Staff + Sponsors

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Emergency First Aid for the Mind and Spirit

HEALING ARTS KITS

healingartskits.org

A groundbreaking therapeutic tool designed to slow or prevent the onset of new cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in children during crisis situations.

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An emergency, psychological first aid kit and a groundbreaking therapeutic system designed by an expert team of psychiatrists, therapists, artists and first responders to stop the onset of new cases of post-traumatic stress disorder in children living through rocket fire, terrorist attack or other crises.

Also, a series of activities that can soothe and help heal the unseen scars of trauma.

4 Healing Arts Kits by the numbers

100% of our partner organizations have requested more kits.

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communities where kits were used

7,500 KITS DELIVERED SINCE 2015

The Healing Arts Kits are best utilized with a parent, teacher, social worker or other caregiver but is designed to be utilized by the child alone, if necessary, and to provide benefit with solo use.

When caregivers are present, it provides detailed, clear instructions to maximize effectiveness, as well as to calm and empower the adult which helps provide a safe environment for the child.

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partner organizations delivering the kits

Designed by experts in children’s psychology: A consortium of psychiatrists, emergency medical technicians, first responders,

The National Endowment for the Arts awarded A4I a grant for the Healing Arts Kits.

art therapists, artists, teachers and parents based on the latest mental health research and dance, drama, play and art therapy guidelines.

9,000 +

CHILDREN ASSISTED WITH THE HEALING ARTS KITS

To date, five new organizations have requested Healing Arts Kits for implementation.

HI STO RY

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K I TS

The Healing Arts Gala is not just about the Healing Arts Kits, it is about Jef Campion.

Our story is Jef’s story.

The Healing Arts Kits are in his memory.

May it be for blessing.

about Jef Campion A fireman by day and artist by night, Jef Campion was a 9/11 first responder who ran into the Towers three times on that terrible day. On his third mission, he recovered a man who was badly injured. Jef got him to a safe distance and began performing emergency first aid. It was at that point that he noticed a young child staring at him. The child seemed uninjured, physically, but trauma was already visible in his eyes.

When Jef met with our artists who had been to Israel with A4I, painting bomb shelters on both Israel’s northern and southern borders for children running from Syrian and Hamas rockets, they discussed the ways in which terrorism threatened children. The artists were determined to create a product that would distract children in crisis, help stimulate healing, and begin the therapeutic process immediately. From this came the Healing Arts Kits.

More harmed was Jef, who realized that, to this young, frightened child with sirens, smoke, shouting and all the other elements around him, seeing a fireman in full uniform, pounding on a man’s chest, and covered in blood was yet another painful memory that would live forever in his mind.

Unfortunately, Jef did not live to see the growth and expansion of the program in communities across Israel and in major U.S. cities. Although he helped create the Kits and regularly volunteered at children’s centers, he could never allow himself to believe that he did enough for that child during 9/11, or any other child. He took his own life on January 17, 2014.

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The A4I Connection Artists 4 Israel began as an organization working to beautify the outside of Israel, to paint murals in needy communities and a whole host of other projects that sought to beautify and enhance the life of every citizen.

Our goal was reclamation.

With the Healing Arts Kits, we are doing something different – we are looking at prevention and at the internal struggles that children face. I am forever grateful to Bruce Robinson, Rena Grosser, and Hayeem Rudy for their dedication to A4I and to working with the world’s most vulnerable population: children.

The program has grown so rapidly, being employed in Israel’s schools, community centers, hospitals, and ambulances, that it is now even being sought in America, beginning with a pilot program in Chicago’s dangerous South Side neighborhood.

Sadly, Jef did not live to see this growth and expansion.

Unfortunately, there are far too many uses for these kits.

Though we can’t stop the terrorism that affects our world, we can, together, prevent PTSD from occurring in the most vulnerable population.

Used in schools and homes ENDORSEMENTS We are proud, after extensive review and consideration to have been endorsed and supported by Israel’s leading trauma treatment organizations and social service providers as well as ministries of government.

In schools, day care centers and homes where parents, teachers and caregivers are provided the kits with training, simple instructions for use in emergency situations and an activity matrix for extended use. Available immediately during a crisis to disrupt trauma and empower the caregiver.

Used by first responders On ambulances, ambucycles and in volunteer medics’ cars, the kits can be distributed with minimal time by the paramedic. They serve as a purpose-driven distraction allowing emergency personnel to treat those who have been physically injured without worry for further traumatizing children on the scene. They are designed to be immediately attractive to the child and self-engaging.

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We are in the midst of a trial with the Healing Arts Kits on our ambucycles. After use of over 65% of the trial Kits, we have had 100% success and our paramedics continue to request them as a permanent fixture in their equipment.�

DOVIE MAISEL Vice President of International Operations, United Hatzalah

Learn about the Healing Arts Kits.

4Read about partners and endorsements

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YOU CAN HELP.

Watch this video for more information on how you can help to heal children suffering from the effects of PTSD. 4https://vimeo.com/171161140

At WIZO, we work closely with a number of therapeutic programs to help children cope with many different traumatic experiences.

After thorough review by our organization’s professional medical and psychological staff, we decided to activate the Healing Arts Kits on a trial basis during Operation Protective Edge. We found that it is an effective treatment and a revolutionary work in preventing PTSD. We saw immediate effects in our Day Care Centers throughout Israel. We know the children under our care to be safer because of this program.�

HILA SEGEV STERN Executive Director, WIZO NY

PTSD

Up to 80% of children in southern Israel suffer from PTSD. There is no cure. But there is prevention.

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A4I GALA HONOREES

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Artists 4 Israel honors Bruce Robinson, Rena Grosser, and Hayeem Rudy for their tremendous contributions to the Healing Arts Kits.

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EVENT SCHEDULE

6:30 p.m.

Cocktails, Silent Auction, and Hors d’Oeuvres

8:00 p.m.

Program and Dessert*

9:00 p.m.

Live Auction and Art Project

The evening will include a stimulating program led by Executive Director Craig Dershowitz, remarks from our honorees, and an opportunity to create art while helping to heal children in Israel. There will be opportunities to take home one-of-a-kind pieces of art as well as other luxury items.

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BRUCE ROBINSON Hero Award

REALTOR

Also active in many other charitable organizations, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, The Charles E. Smith Life Communities, the American Cancer Society, Artists 4 Israel, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, the Humane Society, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington among others.

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The Hero Award, in memory of firefighter and 9/11 first-responder Jef Campion, is presented to the individual who most fearlessly and passionately demonstrates courage in their pursuit of helping others. This award celebrates those heroes who have called upon their greatest instincts, strengths and power to the benefit of mankind and to the purpose of working with the Healing Arts Kits to protect children from the effects of war and terrorism. It is this rare, brave individual whose exemplary work defines the ideals of valor, being first into a unique situation with the purpose of helping others. about Bruce Robinson Bruce was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and attended college at Boston University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the School Of Public Communications.

He also attended graduate school at American University. Bruce began selling real estate in 1977 with Colquitt Carruthers in Rockville, MD. In 1981 he was hired by First Condominium Company to work on the conversion of the 851 unit Willoughby rental building in Friendship Height/Chevy Chase, MD. Bruce was the top selling agent during the conversion of the building from a rental to a condominium. This project lasted from 1981 to 1985. In 1985 Bruce took over the position of Sales Manager and successfully completed the conversion and final sales in the project.

In 1986 he joined Nancy Mellon Realty as a sales associate. He also served as Sales Manager and Broker of Nancy Mellon Realty from 1992 until 2012, having obtained his Broker’s license in 1984. Presently he is an Associate Broker with Real Living At Home and is licensed in Maryland and Washington, DC. Bruce has been one of the top selling agents in Montgomery County since 1981 having earned numerous awards from the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. He specializes in the sale of condominiums and cooperative apartments in both Maryland and Washington,

DC but also handles sales of Townhomes and Single Family Homes. Now entering his 42nd year in Real Estate there are very few agents who have the knowledge and experience to guide clients through the sometimes very difficult real estate process of buying and selling.

Bruce has also been selling in the Promenade Cooperative since 1985. He was a resident and owner in the building from 1981 to 1993. Selling on average 15 to 20 apartments in the building each year, there is nobody better to lead a buyer or seller through the process of a cooperative real estate transfer. Nobody markets the Promenade more than Bruce or has sold as many apartments as he has over the past 30 years.

Bruce has lived in Bethesda since 1975 and owns a home in the Burning Tree subdivision. He also has invested in real estate throughout the area.

Bruce believes that real estate is one, if not the best investment that anyone can make for their future. He hopes to continue his success and help others fulfill theirs for many years to come.

After all, “Nobody Does It Better.”

Bruce has been married for 24 years and has a son who presently is a junior in college. When he’s not selling real estate, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching sports, swimming and playing tennis.

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RENA GROSSER Founders Award

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER ART THERAPIST Also a board committee member and volunteer for Artworks, The Naomi Cohain Foundation.

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The Founders Award is tribute to those individuals who have played a formative role in developing and evolving the Healing Arts Kits. To address the many types of trauma and myriad reactions to it, we believe is important to remain a dynamic organization, constantly evolving in our work to meet the growing and changing needs of the innocents we strive to protect. Only through their commitment, insight, expertise and dogged determination to the constant improvement and betterment of our community will we find the ability to protect and heal our children. about Rena Grosser Rena Grosser completed her undergraduate studies at Queens College and received her Masters in Creative Arts Therapy from Hofstra University.

While living in New York, she practiced art therapy in various settings, acquired licensure and board certification. She currently is an Early Childhood Teacher in Chicago.

Through the lens of the Reggio Emilia approach, she integrates the creative process daily in her classroom. She’s not only a mother to a toddler, but she is an artist herself and facilitates art lessons to children of all ages. Rena believes in using the creative process as a means for self expression and empowerment.

We tried to communicate and see as much as we could so we can offer the best possible help. Distributing the kits and trying to listen and learn was very powerful.�

RENA GROSSER On delivering the Healing Arts Kits to Kibbutz Saad

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HAYEEM RUDY YLD Award

MEDICAL STUDENT ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Also involved with the Einstein Society for the History of Medicine (Founder and President), New York Blood Center, Delete Blood Center, Project Heartbeat for American Friends of Magen David Adom, Sephardic Bikur Holim –

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The Young Leadership “Disruptor” Award celebrates those creative and visionary leaders who dare to lead for positive, social change.

Healing Arts Kits are a new method in the field of trauma treatment, focusing not on a cure but on prevention.

We are disrupting the field of therapy, forcing new ideas and methodologies. Like A4I, the honoree displays a daring new way of thinking, helping to re-imagine and reshape the world.

about Hayeem Rudy Hayeem is a third year medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and was born and raised in the Sephardic Community of Brooklyn.

Since beginning medical school, Hayeem has continued to be involved with the Healing Arts Kits by offering a medical perspective on the kits to interested parties.

While in college, Hayeem had the opportunity to care for the diverse populations of Jerusalem as an EMT for Magen David Adom. His experiences on the ambulances in Israel provided him with the background to optimize the Healing Arts Kits to perform in emergency settings.

Hayeem also spent a summer in a slum in Mumbai, India, teaching hygiene and English.

At school, he founded a course focusing on the History of Medicine and has conducted important research in 3D printing and its applications in surgery.

Team Home Improvement, and the Medical Advisory Board for Artists 4 Israel.

I’m excited to share my knowledge, and to continue to grow and learn.”

HAYEEM RUDY On pursuing his career in medicine

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STAFF + SPONSORS

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ARTISTS 4 ISRAEL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Craig Dershowitz

GALA COMMITTEE GALA CO-CH AIRS

Randi Friedman and Tara Gordon

GALA H OST COMMITTEE

Dorinda Angelucci

Morgan Muchnick

Jeremy & Rachel Finkelstein

Sheila O’Shea

Arielle Glaser

Carrie Pluchino

Ilene Gordon-Deutscher

Carly Ritter

Erica Gottlieb

Ariela Robinson

Virag Gulyas

Amanda Ruisi

Lari Konfidan

Brianne Shea

Laura Lefkowitz

Elana Weinberg

Lionel Leventhal

Melissa Weiss

Julianne Mager

Seth Wolfson

Lauren Mallin

Samantha Zakuto

ENDORSEMENTS

PA R T N E R S

SPECIAL THANKS TO

G R A N T I N G O R G A N I Z AT I O N S

Learn more about Artists 4 Israel programs.

College Mural Program

Trips to Israel

Anti-BDS Program

healingartskits.org

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR On a deeply personal note, I am thankful to Jef Campion, who gave me the courage to move forward in these efforts.

Jef, you are missed. I hope you are honored by what we do in your name.

Thank you for your support at our first Healing Arts Kits Gala. It is your generosity that makes this work possible.

Craig Dershowitz, Executive Director E MAI L: craig@artists4israel.org PHONE : 718-757-8738 WE B : www.artists4israel.org www.healingartskits.org

Artists 4 Israel brings the world’s greatest artists to Israel and around the world to begin healing communities and people affected by conflict through the transformative power of art.

Working with avant-garde artists in underrepresented art forms like graffiti, street art, tattooing, street wear and toy design, we create social change through real quality of life advancements, cover the scars of war and uplift people in struggle through direct programs that benefit them immediately and permanently.

Make a donation to sponsor a Healing Arts Kit online at www.healingartskits.org

Artists 4 Israel is a 501(c)3 organization.

All gifts are tax deductible.

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