Gus Goldstein helps “repair the world” with uplifting Mitzvah Project

When Gus Goldstein, a student at Northport Middle School, had to decide on his Mitzvah Project, called a Tikkun Olam (Hebrew for “repairing the world”), he combined his love of art with a calling to be kind and give back. Mitzvah Projects are community-oriented initiatives undertaken by Jewish teenagers, often in preparation for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremonies.

Goldstein started his project by creating works of art to sell on his front porch. After selling pieces from this at-home art gallery, he used his profits to get art materials into the hands of hospitalized children – an act that lifted the spirits of both the artist and the children he recognized.

The 12-year-old said that he “absolutely loves” both studying and making art; his Bar Mitzvah is going to be held at the Nassau County Museum of Art. His favorite artist is Yayoi Kusama, a celebrated Japanese pop artist known for making her signature dots into paintings, sculptures and clothing. Goldstein has visited many of Kusama’s expositions, he said, including those in San Francisco and the New York Botanical Gardens. “I find her patterns of polka dots and style fascinating,” he said. 

Goldstein’s gallery sale was a success, as he made sure to pay attention to every detail. “I made it like a real gallery with covered tables filled with my work. I would tell guests about each piece, like you would do at an actual art expo. I even put out a table of light snacks like charcuterie and fancy beverages, like my homemade pina coladas,” he said. Many of Goldstein’s friends, family and neighbors attended the gallery and donated to his cause. He raised over $350, allowing him to purchase items to fill ten art baskets for the young patients at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. Each basket also included a handmade card, wishing the recipients smiles and offering encouragement, Goldstein said. 

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital holds a special place in the Goldstein family’s hearts. His mother, Valerie, stayed there after a motor vehicle accident when she was 17 left her neck broken in three places. Both Valerie and her younger sister were at the hospital for many weeks and benefited from the recreational therapists there, Goldstein explained. He wanted to give back by providing the children there now with something fun to do to raise their spirits. “If a child is bedridden, they can still be creative and expressive through artwork,” he said.

Goldstein hand-delivered all ten baskets to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, meeting with Joan Alpers, the Director of Child Life Services, who specializes in child life and art therapy.

Through his experience, Goldstein said he learned that small gestures of kindness go a very long way in making kids in need a little bit happier. “It’s bittersweet that my project is over, but I’d like to continue doing similar activities of giving and kindness throughout my life,” he said.