Editor’s Note: Objects that have no Jewish connection on their face may by reference to Jewish history, religion, and/ or customs provide rich associations with the Jewish experience. Below, our assistant editor Cailin Acosta demonstrates the concept.
By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
The La Mesa Arts Academy Masters Arts Showcase took over the school library with its end-of-the-year showcase celebrating the promoting eighth graders. The theme reflected the years of dedication students invested since auditioning to become part of the elective class.
Chloe Olsen, who was born in Washington in 2012, has enjoyed art classes for the past three years. Olsen painted a birch tree ensemble in 2025. Although birch trees are not specifically mentioned in the Torah, they are often associated with local folklore in Eastern Europe, where many Jewish communities once lived.
Olivia Michelson, who was born in San Diego in 2011, enjoys expressing herself creatively through art. Michelson drew a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. that resonated deeply in today’s troubled times, as King fought tirelessly for equality and justice. In the aftermath of the Holocaust, King viewed Jewish self-determination as a moral necessity and saw Israel as a legitimate expression of that right. “Peace for Israel means security,” he said, emphasizing that peace could not exist without recognition and safety for the Jewish state. King never asked Jews to abandon their identity or connection to Israel in order to participate in the struggle for justice. He respected both, and Jewish communities stood beside him in marches, jail cells, and, in some cases, even in death.
Sarai Voinov, who was born in San Diego in 2011, has been drawing since childhood. Voinov typically draws people but has recently experimented with watercolor paintings and animal illustrations. With summer approaching, the appearance of jellyfish becomes a concern at San Diego beaches as well as in Israel, where authorities monitor jellyfish blooms and warn swimmers about stinging waters. While jellyfish are not mentioned in the Torah’s kosher laws, they are not considered kosher because kosher sea creatures must have fins and scales, which jellyfish lack. Additionally, jellyfish have never been part of traditional Jewish cuisine, and there is no halachic guidance regarding their preparation or consumption.
Eleanor Estes, who was born in San Diego in 2012, enjoys both theater and art. Estes’ favorite project was painting a picture of Snoopy from Peanuts by Charles Schulz. Although Schulz was not Jewish, a Jewish schoolteacher wrote to him following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., encouraging him to introduce a Black character into Charlie Brown’s circle of friends. In 1968, Peanuts introduced its first Black character, Franklin. In a humorous comparison, Snoopy often sleeps on or inside a small dwelling resembling a sukkah, though not one that fulfills halachic requirements. Still, it evokes the idea of sheltering within the elements.
The Masters Arts students were recognized for their efforts and artistic growth throughout the year. Art instructor Alison Lindsay encouraged the young artists to continue creating, experiment with new mediums, and embrace their creativity. She shared how much of a pleasure it had been teaching them over the past year. As the students move on to high school in the fall, they carry with them the encouragement to continue doing great things and to never stop being creative.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.