Happy Purim! Just because there's a pandemic doesn't mean we aren't having a Purim house party--and you're invited! Every year, I make a new, elaborate box for my mishloach manot. (Find the last few years’ here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.) This year, as we party from home, I made a replica of my house to allow you to party in spirit with me. Little flashing LEDs light up the night for the best party of the year. Come on over!

I am pretty stoked to be a contestant on Expedition Maker - The Great Jewish Craft Off, a Jewish art competition reality show from Camp Na Nai Nai. Week 1 task: "Make a mask or costume that taps into something that has been brought into the light during the pandemic," and tie it into Purim and the priestly garments. So I made a breastplate that decodes the masks we put up in real life and via screens to help us see our friends' true emotions underneath! Watch the episode and VOTE FOR ME at expeditionnai.com/maker-vote.

Happy Purim! I’m proud to debut the latest entry in my annual tradition of Purim package design, creating elaborate boxes to fulfill the ritual of mishloach manot, giving gifts of food to friends. (Find the last few years’ here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.) This year’s boxes were inspired by the mashrabiya and jaali, latticework traditions of the world “from India to Ethiopia” — regions ruled by Achashverosh (Esther 1:1). Each little box is filled with fun treats, as well as a little LED balloon light. Close the box and place the light in the peak, and the words “Happy Purim” shine on the tabletop. 

Colloquially called “harem windows,” these screens provided privacy and shade to those inside. In the Purim story, Esther lived hidden in the king’s palace. But when the time was right, at the darkest time, she revealed herself and saved her people. She shined. “The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor,” (Esther 8:16), and so may we all.

I made two designs while prototyping this box, and being unable to pick which I liked better, I made both! Which do you prefer?

I’ve been having an amazing time in Jerusalem painting with artists from around the world at the FIRST EVER JEWISH STREET ART FESTIVAL!! It’s been an honor to work with these fabulous folks. Top two are my pieces, then Lenore Mizrachi-Cohen, Shlome J. Hayun, Ella Ponizovsky Bergelson, Yitzchok Moully, and Solomon Souza. Visit the First Station in Jerusalem to see them in person.

Check out the full line-up and more photos at jewishstreetart.com. And please support this project so we can do it again next year at a city TBA in the USA! More posts coming soon!

I made these fun graphics for the #Friendseder haggadah for The Well, a cool Jewish outfit from Detroit. Can you figure out what parts of the Seder they are? Check it out at friendseder.com.

#Friendseder: It's like Friendsgiving but with plagues.

A few of the illustrations I made for the HIAS Haggadah. This Haggadah provides stories and prompts to help us connect to the contemporary refugee experience on the night where we remember our own journey from suffering to freedom. You can download it at hias.org/passover or buy a paperback copy at amazon.com/dp/1091939942.

Mail’s here! The latest entry in my annual tradition of Purim package design once again involves creating elaborate boxes to fulfill the ritual of mishloach manot, giving gifts of food to friends. (Find the last few years’ here, here, here, here, here, and here.) This year involves literally sending food in envelope-boxes. The Happy Purim message and stamp are cut out of the paper and backed with Fruit by the Foot — the best tasting stamp you’ll ever lick. The cancellation is marked 14 Adar (today’s Hebrew date) and ringed with the words describing this tradition from the Megillah: מִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת, אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ (“sending items to their fellows,” Esther 9:19). It’s marked in the corner “Peace + Truth” from me, echoing the letters of peace and truth Mordechai wrote to Jews across the kingdom (Esther 9:30). And who couldn’t use a little peace and truth these days? Enjoy, and Happy Purim!

I made a haggadah! I had the privilege of working with author Shawn Becker to make his Passover haggadah a reality. He wanted a haggadah that was bright, engaging, thought-provoking, and accessible to all, regardless of Jewish knowledge or previous seder experience. It's non-traditional in many ways but remains rooted in the historic structure and rituals of the night. He provided the text and inspiration and I designed and illustrated the book in a style that was a bit of a departure for me. Pick up your own copy at sharingtheseder.com.

Happy Purim! What would you do if you had the opportunity to address the king? It's become a tradition of mine to celebrate Purim with package design, creating elaborate boxes to fulfill the ritual of mishloach manot, giving gifts of food to friends. (Find the last few years’ here, here, here, here, and here.) This year, the boxes depict King Achashverosh's palace, the architecture inspired by Taq Kasra, an ancient Persian palace near modern Baghdad. (Yes, it’s a little anachronistic, but it’s an incredible building.) Open the doors and find yourself face to face with the king on his throne. Imagine yourself in Esther's shoes, petitioning for the safety of her people. Tucked behind a false wall is a hidden treasure of chocolate bars and pistachios. The back has a Purim message from me. Enjoy!

And when it’s dry and ready!! Happy first night of Chanuka!

Wishing everyone a shana tova and g’mar chatima tova this Yom Kippur. May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life.

The painting is called “Kol Shofar” and is spray paint on birch board.

I have wanted to paint in the Melrose Alleys—a stretch of alleys on either side of Melrose Ave. between Fairfax and La Brea, famous for its street art—since I was twelve years old. Two decades later, I finally had the chance. For the latest addition to my collection of Hebrew murals, I partnered with JQ International to paint a mural dedicated to gay and Jewish pride. Included in the morning liturgy is a blessing originally written to be said by women that reads, "Blessed are you, God ... for making me as intended," in Hebrew, "she'asani kirtzono." This bold statement that God created each of us intentionally in these myriad bodies and forms has distinct echoes of #bornthisway, though a millennium older than hashtags. As a result, this controversial blessing has become a succinct and powerful articulation of gay pride in a Jewish context.

The mural features the blessing in Hebrew—שֶׁעָשַֽׂנִי כִּרְצוֹנוֹ—and the rough translation "I was made as intended" on a vibrant rainbow background. The rainbow flag was designed in California, adding a layer of connection between this piece and its location. It is likely that this mural, at 90 feet long and 8.5 feet tall, is the second largest Jewish mural in Los Angeles, and LA's largest extant queer mural.

In addition to its art, the area around Melrose happens to be a crossroads of historic Jewish neighborhoods and gay neighborhoods, making the placement of the mural meaningful to multiple constituencies. I hope this mural brings people together and breaks down the barriers between those who might otherwise not interact. It was a lovely surprise that within days of finishing the mural, people were already posting photos on Instagram reflecting on the blessing and its message. It helps that the colors are irresistible! Now help me spread the love!

[Update! The mural is now complete! See it here]

Help me paint a mural with JQ! 

I’m working with JQ International, which “builds and strengthens a community that nurtures a healthy fusion of LGBTQ and Jewish identities” to paint a Jewish-queer pride mural in Los Angeles--and we need your help! 

Included in the morning liturgy is a blessing originally written for women that says in Hebrew, "she'asani kirtzono" roughly translated as "Blessed are you, God ... for making me according to your will" or “for making me as intended.” This bold statement that God created each of us intentionally in these myriad bodies and forms has distinct echoes of #bornthisway, though a millennium older than hashtags. As a result, this blessing has become a succinct and powerful articulation of gay pride in a Jewish context. The mural will feature this blessing in the original Hebrew and in English in my characteristic playful typographic style over a rainbow background. (See photohopped renderings of what the mural will look like above, and find other Hebrew mural’s I’ve painted here, here, here, and here.)

The mural will be located in the Melrose Alleys, a stretch of alleys on either side of Melrose Avenue between Fairfax and La Brea, that are famous for street art and have been the canvas for such luminaries as Shepard Fairey and Banksy. That area of the city also happens to be a crossroads of historic Jewish neighborhoods and gay neighborhoods, making the placement of the mural especially meaningful. At 90 feet long, it would be likely the largest extant queer mural and the second largest Jewish mural in Los Angeles!

We hope to raise $1500 to cover supplies and time dedicated to creating the mural. JQ is the fiscal sponsor for this project, and all donations made in support are tax deductible, and all money raised in excess of our goal will support future JQ programming. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

Donate and read more about the project here. Thank you!

A few months ago, I was interviewed by Ritualwell about my art and philosophy. It’s an honor to share my thoughts about this important part of my life.