Traveling tens of thousands of miles since it was created on an Israeli kibbutz for a Zim Lines cruise ship, the large mosaic that hangs across from classrooms 103–104 has lost a few tiles along the way. Acquired by the Flatbush Jewish Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., when the S.S. Shalom was decommissioned in the 1960s, the mosaic of Second Temple period symbols was displayed there for three decades until the synagogue building recently changed hands. Now the mosaic is a striking addition to Hebrew College's permanent art collection, thanks to a gift from Rabbi Zachary and Lynne Heller and Rabbi Benjamin Z. Kreitman.

Created by the mosaic workshop of Kibbutz Giv'at Hashlosha, the piece attracted Me'ah students Barbara Manuel and Holly Dubocq, who admired the artwork while attending class at the College. Members of the Community of Jesus in Orleans, Mass., the women offered to connect the College with Mosaic Guild artists working on original mosaics at their recently constructed church building. Which is how Sisters Agnes, Mary and Sarah of the Community of Jesus came to Hebrew College on June 16 to repair the mosaic.

"This is our first restoration project," says Sister Agnes. "And it's a nice cultural exchange. So far our craft has been used only in our own community. It's nice to share it with others."

Photo by Ben Harmon

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