From Gotham to Shushan
By Zahava Ribowsky
In March, students from the Charlotte Day School( CJDS) had the incredible opportunity to participate in a workshop led by Jewish cartoonist Jordan Gorfinkel( aka“ Gorf”).
Gorf managed a team of writers, artists, and creators on the Batman franchise for DC Comics. From the moment he began, students were completely drawn in.
He broke down the art of cartooning in a way that felt accessible and encouraging, and even students who don’ t typically label themselves as“ artistic” were eager to participate.
The focus of the workshop was the Megillah – the Purim story of Mordechai and Esther. Instead of simply reading the pesukim or verses, students were
each assigned a unique passage and charged with illustrating the narrative themselves.
They didn’ t just learn about bravery and hidden identity – they created their own image of it! Watching the story come to life through their panels, expressions, and visual storytelling gave the Megillah a fresh energy. They had to write the text, bubble in the captions, and illustrate a total of 61 individual scenes. They started in blue pencil and then moved to black ink for the final piece. Gorelick Hall buzzed with focus and creativity as Purim characters became animated, literally.
Perhaps most meaningful was the collective nature of the project. Each student created an individual piece, which was then compiled into a unified whole – a beautiful booklet reflecting the major themes of the megillah. A sound reminder that every contribution matters. As students head home with their artwork, they carry more than drawings; they carry a personal connection to a story that has been told for generations, now hand-created by them.
The Charlotte Jewish News- April 2026- Page 17
For more information about the CJDS, please contact Gail Osborne at Gosborne @ cjdschool. org.