Blog

Register Early for JudyArt!

One of the best pieces of advice that I received when my kids were younger was to register, early, for Judy Halperin’s (z”l) art chug. “Register now,” friends advised, “it is tough to get a spot in her chug.”

And so, I registered Ellie – beginning our multi-year relationship with JudyArt.

Quality Time with JudyArt

One of the advantages too always being late, parking in the wrong spot and needing to be reminded to bring post-dated checks was that I had the good fortune of spending quality time with JudyArt Halperin.

Often, while I was illegally parked on the sidewalk, Judy would approach the window of my car, beg me to find a better parking spot, give me an update on my children’s progress and tell me how hard she is looking to find a place for one of my children in the following year’s chug.

Week after week, my daughters, like so many of their peers, made extraordinary efforts to be on time and “finish their projects.” JudyART “projects” are one of a kind pieces of art, expressing the individual creativity of each artist. Judy mentored students and guided them through the process of finding their own unique artistic abilities and passions. While, most childhood art projects that tend to focus on uniformity, culminating in identical finished works, a JudyArt creation reflects the inner personality of the artist with finished products bearing the individual stamp of each budding artist.

During one of our “sessions”- (this time, I think around January, when she finally sat me down at her dining room table to finish writing checks), I asked Judy about the secret to her success. Judy, explained to me, that she genuinely loved the children in her classes, and was passionate about individualizing the process. She made extraordinary efforts to keep her classes small, providing personal attention, to each and every student.

Create Your Own Mold

In a world, where so many “grown-ups,” teachers and well-meaning adults try to force children to fit into the mold, using patience, a sense of humor and gifted artistic skill Judy encouraged our children to construct their own distinctive molds.

Reena (our third grader) patiently waited her turn for a spot in JudyArt. Eager, to add her own sculptors to our ever growing collection, she was thrilled, to have received a place in this year’s JudyArt Wednesday chug. Each week, I dropped her off and was grateful, that Reena like Ellie and Aderet had the outstanding privilege of gaining from Judy. I looked forward to driving back and forth to Rechov Yosef when Charlie was old enough to join.

NO – It’s Not Fair

A few weeks ago, I found myself, once again, illegally, parked outside of JudyArt, waiting for Reena’s chug to end. Instead of chatting with me from the window (i.e., begging me to please not park in her neighbor’s spot), Judy sat next to me in the front seat of my car. Conscious of the fact, that I undoubtedly say the wrong thing, I tried hard to remain quiet and internalize her news. Tears began streaming down my face, and my heart starting racing. Driving away, I prayed for her recovery. I reflected on Judy’s HIGH ENERGY, modesty, mentorship, and radiance. Grateful for the blessing of a relationship with Judy and the strong effect, she had on our family these last few years.

Disappointed that she would not be able to finish the year at JudyArt, Reena voiced my thoughts. “It’s not fair,” I agreed. It’s Not Fair. It’s not fair that the world is losing such a beautiful personality. It’s not fair that Reena, Charlie, and countless other children will not have the opportunity of being shaped and modeled by Judy Halperin.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emet – JudyArt

Baruch Dayan Ha’emet. 
‎בצער רב מאוד אנו מודיעים על פטירתה של חברתנו האהובה, ג׳ודי הלפרין.
‎ההלוויה תתקיים מחר (יום ג׳) בשעה 15:00 בבית העלמין במודיעין.

‎פרטים נוספים יישלחו בהמשך.

‎המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

Our hearts are broken. 
Our future appears less creative. 
Our inner artistic talents more constrained.

Judy, you will forever be in our hearts, just as your JudyArt projects will forever be in our homes.

Just as you, Judy, elevated the neshamot of our children, may your neshama have an aliyah. I know Gan Eden just got more colorful!

SO thankful, for that great piece of advice to register OUR Family for JudyArt.

Please comment below and share your memories and pictures of Judy Halperin and the great impact she had on your life.