Women for Israel
Acclaimed artist and philanthropist Barbara Israel Bortniker from West Orange, New Jersey, made a powerful impact during her recent Jewish National Fund-USA Volunteer Mission to Israel by leading a painting workshop for war-affected women.
“The last time I was here was for the celebration of Israel’s 75th Independence Day,” shared Barbara. “It was a remarkable, joyful experience, followed just a few months later by such a horrific, tragic event. I felt helpless from afar.”
Through her involvement with Jewish National Fund-USA’s Circle of Sapphire Plus—the highest tier of its Women for Israel Donor Society—and as the chair of the Central New Jersey Board, Barbara and her husband, David, worked with the organization to offer her artistic skills to the women.
On a warm spring morning, the group gathered under flowering trees, tentative but eager. As Barbara guided them through painting, they immersed themselves in their work and conversations began to flow. Strangers became companions, sharing their struggles and drawing strength from one another.
“Now that I’m here, I see so much pain in the people of Israel,” Barbara reflected. “Yet I also see spring. I see rebirth. I’m hoping to raise the spirits of some of these women who have suffered terrible losses or are struggling to bring up their families with their husbands away fighting for so many months. I hope that I can bring them just a little bit of comfort, that they feel like they’re not alone.
“Through art, we learn to see things differently,” she added. “To notice what we might have overlooked and find beauty in the simplest things.”
Aliza, the wife of a reservist combat soldier who has spent over 300 days on active duty since the war began, gestured toward her infant daughter, sleeping in a stroller under the trees. “My reality hasn’t changed—my husband is still gone, my kids are still in a single-parent household. I went through my entire pregnancy alone, and now my baby is growing up without her father.”
Adar, whose husband has hardly been home from the war since October 7, called the workshop a “godsend,” saying that “being with women who understand makes all the difference.”
“Thank you to those who still see us—the wives of reservists and the fallen,” she said. “Support is fading, but we need it more than ever. This war will leave lasting scars on all of us.”
At the end, the participants collected their paintings, hugged, exchanged phone numbers, and made plans to stay in touch. They shared their deep gratitude to Barbara and Jewish National Fund-USA for making this day of healing possible.
“Acknowledgment matters,” Aliza emphasized. “Just knowing people see us and that they understand this war is still very real for hundreds of thousands of families—that makes all the difference.”
Barbara and David embody the principal uniqueness of Jewish National Fund-USA, showing that “we were there yesterday, we are there today, and we will be there tomorrow” is a personal commitment of our remarkable community.
To learn more about Women for Israel, email wfi@jnf.org
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