Israel Festival honors Oct. 7 hero Aner Shapiro with art for social change

This year's Israel Festival will honor Aner Shapiro, a Jerusalem artist and musician killed while saving others during the October 7 massacre, through an event focused on art for social change. The "Creators of Impact" hackathon, part of the festival's VERSE program, will convene 10 artists and 10 nonprofit organizations. They will collaborate to develop new artistic projects aimed at addressing social problems. The initiative is organized by the Israel Festival, the Aner Shapiro Association, and JDC-Israel.

VERSE, held August 11-12, is envisioned as a nexus of artistic creation and social activism. The festival describes it as art driven by "radical compassion," connecting artists and activists who view creativity as a tool for listening to diverse voices, building community, and fostering change. This philosophy mirrors Shapiro's own life. A multitalented artist, composer, writer, and singer, he believed in music and art's capacity to unite and heal.

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Creators of Impact

On October 7, 2023, Shapiro was at the Nova music festival. When Hamas terrorists threw grenades into a roadside shelter where he and others were hiding, Shapiro repeatedly threw them back out, saving lives before he was killed at age 22. The association established in his name continues his belief in using art for societal repair. The invitation-only hackathon on August 12 will task participants with developing artwork ideas to tell stories, stimulate discussion, and inspire action. A jury will select one proposal for funding.

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radical compassion