Jewish Motorcycle Philanthropists Support The Butterfly Project

I caught up with Price by phone just a few days before the ride and the program that was scheduled to follow, hosted by Congregation Beth El. The La Jolla shul has become one of the newest sites for a beautiful ceramic tree of life, designed and created by artist Helen Segal. I had interviewed the cofounder in 2006 shortly after the Butterfly Project’s inception. The San Diego Jewish Academy had been graced with the first mural of butterflies. The mission of TBP is to provide a global, age-appropriate education about the “dangers of hatred and bigotry (and) to cultivate empathy and social responsibility.” This is accomplished one ceramic butterfly at a time. Since 2006, the project sprouted wings and has migrated to Israel, Los Angeles, New York, Germany, Florida, Pittsburgh, Poland, and beyond.

The idea for the TBP came from the documentary film, Paperclips, produced by Joe Fab and Elliot Berlin (z”l).  Jan Landau borrowed the idea of the collection of six million paperclips to represent the number of Jews lost, but focused on the 1.5 million children whose lives were cut short. She enrolled Rattner-Price in her vision was to get this unique, personal education into the hands of educators everywhere. By building bridges with JCCs, public schools, religious day schools, museums, and libraries the experience was made tangible and real. Price’s vision became a reality and exceeded her wildest dreams.

Holocaust survivors were invited into classrooms to share their stories. They stated that this made it less scary because they were providing a sense of hope and optimism.  Students connected with them and this transformed the students’ understanding of history.

In 2012, a film was underway. Not the Last Butterfly was a call to action and included Terezin survivor Ela Weissberger. A trip to Poland and Germany culminated in the painting of 3600 butterflies on that border.

When asked if she had a “proudest moment” Cheryl Rattner Price overflowed with so many instances when she felt like “a rockstar.” Visiting Terezin with Weissberger, putting butterflies up in a JCC in Manhattan, showing her film at the Museum of Tolerance, and in an Israeli bomb shelter. And of course, sharing Segal’s Tree of Life mural at Congregation Beth El in the company of the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance and a handful of Holocaust survivors.

Though the day was dreary and rainy, decidedly unSan Diegan, September 9th was filled with sunshine in the hearts of those gathered to celebrate TBP outreach and success. Teaming up with the Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Foundation, and local students, we learned some staggering statistics about the need for Holocaust education. Based on a 2020 survey of 11,000 respondents, interviews revealed that 11% believe that Jews caused the Holocaust. Only 23 out of 50 states mandate Holocaust education. Speakers told us of the dangers of ignoring the threats of anti-Semitism or any intolerance. Yet, perhaps, more importantly, we also learned of the power of hope and other precious lessons from survivors  Rose Schindler, Ben Midler, Vera Lorell and Mike and Manya Wallenfels and Arlene Keeyes, TBP Education Team, and Rebeca Besquin, TBP Board member.

Through art and creativity, and the “motorcycles raising a ruckus” we can strengthen our Jewish identities and expose the existential threat. “Antisemitism has not ended though the Holocaust has,” said Heidi Gantwerk, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.

Sonia Israel, speaking for the Holocaust Memorial Committee urged the second, third, and fourth generations of Holocaust survivors to keep those stories alive. It is only through these memories and transmissions that we will keep the beauty of these lives alive and pay tribute to those we’ve lost.

Steve Aroesty, new president of the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance, shared that the “rain didn’t dampen our enthusiasm.” He spoke of the sense of ruach (spirit) the riders experienced when they began their soggy ride on the San Diego Jewish Academy campus that morning. Other riders spoke of their reason for riding to support this cause. Each story was intimate, touching and revealed the hard-core Jewish identity and a sense of pride in forwarding Holocaust education.

The event closed with the recitation of an inspirational and touching poem written and read by artist and poet, Helen Segal.  I will include part of it, but I put it in only as a teaser, for I urge you to go read the rest of the poem and share in the amazing power of her Tree of Life ceramic installation.

Tree of Life by Helen Segal

This tree-a map of darkest time
Each limb symbolic-ours to climb
To be at witness and introspect
Some mirror shards to self-reflect

There is a door, a hiding place
Or a gate to a future place
An oven door, a burning pyre
Gas pipes, chimneys, empire and fire…

Before heading off for Shabbos, the motorcyclists, speakers and survivors posed before this beautiful tree and in that moment, you could hear the sound of healing and hope.

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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.  She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com