FREEHOLD – A new exhibit opened on June 19 at the Freehold Art Gallery to benefit and highlight the work done by a charity founded by a New Jersey resident.
The Strength to Strength charity, founded by former Lakewood resident Sarri Singer, is a nonprofit organization that provides support for victims of terrorism around the world. Singer, the daughter of state senator Robert Singer, is a victim of terrorism herself, having been injured in a June 2003 attack in Jerusalem.
“It’s been over two-and-a-half years where we’ve struggled as a nonprofit during COVID,” explained Singer. “So, the fact that the gallery has offered to host this and hopefully help sell the art, the proceeds from this is going to support our opening. The fact that victims of terrorism will be able to be in-person and be able to connect with each other on a more intimate level than over a screen is just lifesaving for many of the people we work with.”
The Strength to Strength nonprofit is predominantly volunteer-driven, and works in partnership with other organizations in 15 countries. The organization enables victims of terrorism, family members, and first responders to connect with one another in an international support system. Through shared experience, the organization looks to have peer-to-peer support help individuals touched by terrorism move forward with their lives.
As Singer explains it, by partnering with local organizations they can streamline the process, since many of the local charities have already laid the groundwork by contacting and vetting victims in those countries. For instance, the partnership process helped Strength to Strength work with two organizations in Spain following attacks in Madrid, and three others in France.
“I want to make sure that everybody feels safe and secure in the environment that they’re in,” said Singer, “[and] that when they’re sharing their experiences, that they know the person that’s there is really somebody that has been through something similar [to] them. So, we partner with these organizations. Depending on the country, and how big the attacks were, will depend on how many organizations.”
Strength to Strength provides monthly get-togethers known as Survivor’s Circle Meetings for peer support among not only the victims of terrorism, but their families, as well. In addition, the organization has a Victim’s Advisory Council, which helps voice ideas regarding victim’s rights.
Singer is active in traveling to promote the organization, and speaks at regional, national, and international levels to campaign on behalf of victims of terrorism. Additionally, the organization hosts Victim’s Weekend Retreats where victims and family members meet for a weekend for mutual support. The organization will be hosting one such event in Springfield, New Jersey in August.
A similar art exhibition was done in New York five years ago at the Agora Gallery, where these same five featured artists had donated their art in order to raise money for nonprofit organizations. However, the new exhibit came to Freehold through Freehold Art Gallery volunteer Debbie Szersin’s personal association with Sarri Singer’s mother, Judie.
The exhibition benefitting Strength to Strength is on display in the Lounge Gallery, which is one of three separate galleries at the site. The works are comprised of a variety of mediums including paintings, photography, and digital media.
Along with the oil works of Russian-born artist Zhenia Burnat, the exhibit is displaying digital pieces by Edmonde Bizelli, photography by Mohamed Bengriba and Mache Del Campo, and works by the late Muhammad Abdus-Sabur.
The Freehold Art Gallery opened eight years ago, and is best known for its exhibits that feature local New Jersey artists. Exhibitions normally run for six weeks, and will then rotate to feature the works of a new set of artists from the Garden State. While the artists featured in this exhibit cannot be characterized as local, the gallery could not pass up the chance to host a forum for this talented group, especially given the cause involved.
“We’re always very happy to showcase the work of up-and-coming artists, and to participate with an organization that is doing work to help people that have been victims of terrorism,” said Jeff Friedman, proprietor of the Freehold Art Gallery. “It’s something that we are very happy to be part of.”
The current exhibit is not scheduled to be a traveling exposition, but instead, is unique to the Freehold Art Gallery.
Given that Singer’s nonprofit pays the costs for terrorism victims to travel to the organization’s in-person events, fundraising is particularly critical. Consequently, donations raised by the exhibit, and any proceeds from the direct sale of the art becomes even more instrumental in furthering the organization’s cause.
“[It] is really special in that the gallery is doing this for us,” said Singer, “and actually making the statement that they want to support victims of terrorism wherever we are, and knowing that people care about us even if they haven’t been directly impacted by what we’ve been through.”
“They did a similar exhibit five or six years ago,” explained Friedman about the past show at the Agora Gallery, “but this is a one-time exhibit.”
Those interested in Strength to Strength may visit their website, stosglobal.org. The Strength to Strength special exhibit at the Freehold Art Gallery runs from now until July 31. The gallery is located upstairs at 7 West Main Street in Freehold, and is open Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
