Grow, Grow!

Grow, Grow! by artist Barbara Smolen is located in the South Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This mural was created as a signature project of Mitzvah Mania 2007. The concept for this mural was to celebrate the rich history of the Jewish community in South Philadelphia as well as the new immigrant communities represented by the students who attend the John H. Taggart School where the mural is painted. The John H. Taggart Elementary School at Porter and Fourth streets was chosen because of its proximity to the nearby Stiffel Senior Center, as well as its location in the heart of a once largely Jewish neighborhood.The design was inspired by a quote from the Talmud (the central Jewish religious text) “Every blade of grass has its angel that bend over it and whispers, ‘Grow, grow.” This quote runs along the top of the mural. The word grow appears in the central part of the mural in many different languages to acknowledge the diversity of students at the school.

Location Note: This mural is located at a school and many not be accessible to the public.