The progressive Jewish community, Malkhut, (which I am part of) commissioned me to make this graphic for their virtual high holidays observances. The Hebrew words “nakoom uvaneenu” mean “arise and build.” While this was uttered by the prophet Nehemiah when the Jews returned from exile to Jerusalem over 2400 years ago to start rebuilding the city, they apply equally to everybody all around the world today as we strive to build a better society. Rabbi Goldenberg was open to whatever visual interpretation of the words that moved me. I love the forms of Hebrew letters, so I suggested using the words themselves in the image. At one point in my life I lived on top of one of the big hills in Jerusalem where the spectacular sunsets imprinted themselves onto my memory, so I tried to reflect some of that energy in this image. Finally, nobody rises up and builds alone. Building is a community effort. I endeavored to show that in this work which is part of our communal effort to rise up and rebuild our lives, our society, and our future.