Worry Wall

A Mosaic of our Children’s Fears

It all began when Richard Borah of Observant Artists’ Community Circle envisioned an outlet to allow teenagers and children to express their fears. The world of childhood is rich with feelings, and sometimes those feelings can be mired in great pain and pressing insecurities. When 9/11 happened, concern was rampant about the effects of such an attach on the nation’s children. The Worry Wall allows children to express their pain and worries on a very large moveable wall that is displayed throughout the community in different host locations. He approached the co-directors of Studio Rembrandt, Darrin and Naomi Singer, to work on the project, and the result was The Worry Wall, which had its debut at a gala event last June 7th at Studio Rembrandt in Cedarhurst. Attended by local therapists, guidance counselors and school officials, the Worry Wall dramatically communicated the many fears and anxieties of our children.

The Worry Wall is eight feet high and twelve feet long, and can be broken down into smaller sections so that it can be viewed at separate locations simultaneously, It consists of individual pieces of paper featuring students’ illustrations. The pieces are numerically ordered and when they are combined, they form a mosaic of illustrations against a gray background of two children’s faces.

Although the project was created after 9/11, it was really designed to address the whole spectrum of children’s worries and fears. The Worry Wall is a project of the Observant Artists’ Community Circle, a non-profit organization founded by Borah. The art therapy sessions in the schools were carried out by the TOVA Mentoring Program, and funded by F.E.G.S. (Federal Employment Guidance Services). The Worry Wall is stunning statement, giving both insight and expression to our children’s hidden thoughts and fears. The wall is presently located in the Citibank on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst, and will be moving to different locations throughout the year.

Speaking with Dr. Jonas Waizer
Chief Operating Officer of FEGS Health and Human Services System

TOVA enjoys a special relationship with Dr. Jonas Waizer, Chief Operating Officer at FEGS which gegan with the after shock of 9/11. “We began working with TOVA after 9/11,” Dr. Waizer explains. “We were worried about yeshiva kids whose families might be affected by terrorism. FEGS was already providing services through Project Liberty and UJA Federation to address public conern and well being. We were looking for a natural and comfortable outlet within the yeshiva setting.”

When Richard Borah approached Dr. Waizer to use art as a medium for the project, “we married that to a public health model, which works on the principle that sharing fears and anxieties led to a healing process,” Dr. Waizer continues. Professionals were included to facilitate discussions and the Worry Wall had begun.

“We found out through this project that many of the children’s fears had nothing do with 9/11. What motivated the children to write and draw were common fears, such as isolation or losing a family member. The Worry Wall project grew to be a very effective way to reach children during their formative years. I’m very proud of the Worry Wall. My interest is to sustain the effort. FEGS is committed to making it a resource for the yeshiva world.

To view the Worry Wall video click here

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		A Mosaic of our Children’s Fears It all began when Richard Borah of Observant Artists’ Community Circle envisioned an outlet to allow teenagers and children to express their fears. The world of childhood is rich with feelings, and sometimes those feelings can be mired in great pain and pressing insecurities. When 9/11 happened, concern was rampant about the effects of such an attach on the nation’s children. The Worry Wall allows children to express their pain and worries on a very large moveable wall that is displayed throughout the community in different host locations. He approached the co-directors of Studio Rembrandt, Darrin and Naomi Singer, to work on the project, and the result was The Worry Wall, which had its debut at a gala event last June 7th at Studio Rembrandt in Cedarhurst. Attended by local therapists, guidance counselors and school officials, the Worry Wall dramatically communicated the many fears and anxieties of our children. The Worry Wall is eight feet high and twelve feet long, and can be broken down into smaller sections so that it can be viewed at separate locations simultaneously, It consists of individual pieces of paper featuring students’ illustrations. The pieces are numerically ordered and when they are combined, they form a mosaic of illustrations against a gray background of two children’s faces. Although the project was created after 9/11, it was really designed to address the whole spectrum of children’s worries and fears. The Worry Wall is a project of the Observant Artists’ Community Circle, a non-profit organization founded by Borah. The art therapy sessions in the schools were carried out by the TOVA Mentoring Program, and funded by F.E.G.S. (Federal Employment Guidance Services). The Worry Wall is stunning statement, giving both insight and expression to our children’s hidden thoughts and fears. The wall is presently located in the Citibank on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst, and will be moving to different locations throughout the year. Speaking with Dr. Jonas Waizer Chief Operating Officer of FEGS Health and Human Services System TOVA enjoys a special relationship with Dr. Jonas Waizer, Chief Operating Officer at FEGS which gegan with the after shock of 9/11. “We began working with TOVA after 9/11,” Dr. Waizer explains. “We were worried about yeshiva kids whose families might be affected by terrorism. FEGS was already providing services through Project Liberty and UJA Federation to address public conern and well being. We were looking for a natural and comfortable outlet within the yeshiva setting.” When Richard Borah approached Dr. Waizer to use art as a medium for the project, “we married that to a public health model, which works on the principle that sharing fears and anxieties led to a healing process,” Dr. Waizer continues. Professionals were included to facilitate discussions and the Worry Wall had begun. “We found out through this project that many of the children’s fears had nothing do with 9/11. What motivated the children to write and draw were common fears, such as isolation or losing a family member. The Worry Wall project grew to be a very effective way to reach children during their formative years. I’m very proud of the Worry Wall. My interest is to sustain the effort. FEGS is committed to making it a resource for the yeshiva world. To view the Worry Wall video click here You must have RealPlayer to view this video			Volunteer Enrolling Your Child Essay Contest To view the Worry Wall video click here You must have RealPlayer to view this video. Click here to download the free player.