David Stark – Contributing Photographer
The following article contained an error in the print edition that has been corrected for the online version. The article originally stated that the mural was written in Hebrew and English. Rather, the mural was written in Yiddish and English (Updated: May 1, 2015)
Working with local mural artist Shawn Dunwoody, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (SigEp) painted a mural this weekend on the side of the Chabad House in the 19th Ward neighborhood of Rochester.
From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, the brothers of SigEp worked with Dunwoody and 19th Ward residents to paint the mural, which consists of the mantra, “Think good, and it will be good” written in both Yiddish and English. SigEp member and senior David Stark said that the fraternity has hosted the 19th Ward Spelling Bee for the past seven years, inviting children from the neighborhood to a spelling bee held in Hubbell Auditorium. The 7th Annual Spelling Bee took place the day before, on April 18, and the attendees were invited to help paint the mural the next day. Stark also noted that Dunwoody was hired in part based on his experience painting with kids.
Stark said that Dunwoody specializes in positive, text-based art, which is what he and other planners of the project wanted to achieve with the mural. Dunwoody and Vice President of SigEp Tate Richards collaborated on the design with Chabad Rabbi Asher Yaras, who suggested the proverb that was ultimately used in the mural.
Stark said that the mural was the result of two years of planning, during which he had worked with Director of the Rochester Center for Community Leadership Glenn Cerosaletti to organize the mural project and secure funding. SigEp raised approximately $2,000 for the mural, in part through the crowdfunding website Kickstarter. They also received a $500 Inclusion Grant in association with the university’s Communal Principles Project, in addition to raising about $448 with their annual SigEp Shades sunglasses sale and fundraiser.
Discussing the design of the mural, Stark said that the planners had wanted to acknowledge Chabad House with a religious component, while still ensuring that the mural would be applicable to all. Yaras suggested that they design the mural around the proverb, “Think good and it will be good,” a quote by 18th century rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, one of the leaders of the Chabad movement.
Chabad House is an SA-recognized group that hosts dinners on religious holidays and services for Jewish students and community members, Yaras explained. The group is part of an international movement, Chabad, and aims to provide “a home away from home for Jewish students,” Yaras said, “a meaningful Jewish experience at any level they’re seeking it.”
Stark said he was pleased with the mural, which was “in line with our ALC mission as an organization,” referring to SigEp’s status as an Academic Living Center on campus. The group had painted most of the mural by 2 p.m. on Sunday, and Stark said that Dunwoody would be returning to put the finishing touches on the mural in the coming week.
Passanisi is a member of
the class of 2017.
