My heart goes out to the families of the victims of today’s horrific and tragic attack. As the Rabbi Fellig said during the Jewish New Year, these victims no longer have a voice, so it’s up to us to speak on their behalf, to do good actions in their name, and to keep their memory alive.
Since that day, they have become a part of me. Not a single day has passed without holding them in my heart, without praying for the safe return of the remaining hostages to their homes and families. I’ve worried for them daily and prayed for the safety of the brave men and women defending Israel—because in defending Israel, they are defending all Jews, wherever we are in the world, and standing up for democracy. Israel, as the only democratic state in the Middle East, symbolizes the values we hold dear.
These past months have been emotionally draining in ways I’ve never experienced. Spending four days without TV or social media for the holiday and Shabbat was a gift, allowing me a moment to breathe. The guilt of knowing that our daily struggles pale in comparison to the pain of the hostages, their families, and the people of Israel—and those suffering under tyrannical regimes or in war-torn countries—is overwhelming. We can’t compare, but we can connect through our gifts and purpose.
As Jewish people, we are sadly no strangers to antisemitism, and over the past year, it has surged by 200 to 300%. Now, more than ever, we must find the strength to bring light through our art and be grateful for messages like the one I received from the Rebbe this morning.
This year has been hard in so many ways, yet full of hope. There’s been a constant battle between empowering ourselves to make a difference and rising up again from devastation. We try to make sense of a reality that can’t be understood—so much atrocity. Moving forward seems impossible when the worst of humanity is displayed before us.
But in the midst of this darkness, we are also capable of so much good. I am deeply grateful and impressed by the voices that have risen above the rest, speaking on behalf of the hostages: Rudy Israel, Montana Tucker, Noa Tishby, Joann Sfar, Ruth Berdah Canet, Gal Gadot, Assita Kanko, Rachel Goldberg Polin, Jon Polin, Kosha Dillz, Mona Jafarian with Femme Azadi, Tristane Banon, the Femen who stood for Israeli women victims of violence, and organizations like Stand With Us, and many others tirelessly working to combat antisemitism. Their strength inspires us all.
I wanted to share my journey in art, as I’ve tried to honor the fact that I am alive—something many can no longer say. Like so many, I’ve made changes in my life. Since 2016, I’ve observed Shabbat, avoiding work from Friday night to Saturday night. Before, I made exceptions for art shows, especially when those weekend days were the most profitable.
But after 10/7, everything shifted. Seeing the silence from some and the justifications for terror alongside a horrifying rise in antisemitism was devastating. As civilians were slaughtered, families destroyed, and horrors unfolded, the world responded with accusations, justifications, and protests against Israel. While many world leaders stood with Israel, the cowardice of so many others was disheartening.
It’s difficult to share without touching on some of the key points, but these facts serve as a backdrop to the deeper emotional and personal impact these times have had on me and us all.
Today, we face media distortion and rising antisemitism, but the IDF stands as a pillar of protection for its people. Mid-September, Israel dismantled key figures of Hezbollah’s leadership in operations that targeted individuals long wanted by the U.S. and Europe for crimes against their nationals. These actions exposed Hezbollah’s tunnels, designed to replicate attacks like October 7, 2023. Israel is currently defending its country on seven fronts while facing widespread criticism from the media and the international community. The Iron Dome sustained attacks directly aimed at civilians, protecting the population like no other country has. Israel, with its years of investment in its defense, stands in stark contrast to its neighbors. Israel’s rescue efforts have been heroic, even against impossible odds. Despite the lives tragically lost, Israel kept negotiating deals, releasing terrorists in exchange for half of the hostages. The hostages remain the center of our thoughts, as Israel continues to fight for those left behind. Yet, Hamas continued to demand more heinous conditions, rejecting deal after deal. Incredibly, the IDF successfully rescued some hostages, but tragically, six hostages—Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino—were executed by Hamas after surviving in horrific conditions in tunnels for almost a year. Once again, we saw the extent of the evil these terrorist organizations harbor, and once again, silence followed. Despite this loss, hope remains for the 101 hostages still waiting for rescue, including one baby, one child, 13 women, the elderly, and men.
Despite the grief, in the USA and Europe, we must protect our children and ourselves from dangerous attacks and actions that celebrate terror and fuel antisemitism. The suffering of the Palestinian people under Hamas and other terrorist groups cannot be denied, but every protest in their name fuels that terror. We must stand firm in the truth.
Through it all, I’ve continued to create—finding moments to paint and capture beauty through photography. One portrait commission has challenged me these past months, and I’m struggling to finish it, but the message from the Rebbe gives me the courage to continue. ( photo attached to this post)
I want to thank those who supported me throughout this year, especially Romi and Daniel at @jdr_atelier, who allowed me to honor Shabbat even during Art Basel. Superfine Art Fair also respected my decision not to attend my booth for two out of four days in San Francisco, and the fellow artists around me were incredibly supportive. My dear artist friends, Elias and Tazzio Paris, along with others, encouraged me to keep creating and joined me in the process. And, of course, all my friends who supported me in any way they could.
Looking ahead, I’ll continue to observe Shabbat, which means I ll be present for this year’s Art Basel Miami at the Spectrum Miami but I won’t be present from Friday night to Saturday night. I’ve had to reinvent ways to share my art over the years, and in a world that doesn’t cater to Jewish holidays, I am at peace with making these part of my priority.
Today also happens to be the birthday of my nephew and the son of one of my dearest friends. For them, we find the strength to dance and celebrate—reminders that even in darkness, love and light prevail.
My heart, prayers, and soul remain with those who’ve lost so much. I stand united with my people in the hope that the remaining hostages will return home soon and that one day, true peace will be achieved in the Middle East. May the memories of those we lost be a blessing.
Am Yisrael Chai. May our democracy and values endure.
Jessica
Ps: Am Yisrael Chai: means the People of Israel live.
In the gallery above, you can see small parts of the commission I am working on, parts of “Strong perception make reality, people make places” a mix media piece that I have finished in December 2023, It’s my Soul up there, a painting I created end of October 2023, Because Freedom, a painting I have finished in December 2023, a work in progress as in honor to Iranian women and Shervin Hajipour, Urban Jungle, a photography taken this summer 2024 in NYC, challenging our perspective! A piece of Unbreakable photography taken in the summer 2024 and of Heart of Gold mix media created in 2022. And the photo of the letter of the Rebbe, published in Lubavitch International Fall winter 5785/2024.
so parislux ! 
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