Did you know sunflowers hold a special place in Jewish tradition and culture? In Judaism, sunflowers symbolize positivity, happiness and optimism. With all that is going on in our world, couldn’t we all use a lot more of that? You bet we could and here’s how.
Understanding the Jewish connection
In Judaism, sunflowers represent faith, renewal and the presence of the divine, making them a meaningful element in various Jewish ceremonies and celebrations. The Torah mentions sunflowers as part of Jewish rituals and ceremonies including weddings and festivals where they symbolize renewal and divine presence. Sunflower seeds have even found their way into Shabbat shopping lists and Seder meals. Recently, they were added to seder plates in 2022 as a symbol of resistance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, given the sunflower’s status as Ukraine’s national flower.
Simon Wiesenthal and “The Sunflower”
The importance of sunflowers in Jewish culture is also deeply connected to Simon Wiesenthal, a Holocaust survivor and renowned Nazi hunter. In 1969, Wiesenthal published a thought-provoking book titled “The Sunflower.” This book recounts a harrowing experience from 1943 when Wiesenthal, then a forced laborer in a hospital, was asked by a dying SS soldier to forgive him for his crimes against the Jews. Wiesenthal did not grant the forgiveness, haunted by the image of sunflowers marking the graves of German soldiers while the graves of his own people remained unmarked and forgotten.
This encounter led Wiesenthal to ponder whether one has the right to forgive atrocities committed against others. “The Sunflower” is a short book that poses this profound moral question, which Wiesenthal later shared with political, religious and cultural figures worldwide. Their varied responses make the book a powerful exploration of guilt, forgiveness and justice.
Celebrating sunflowers locally
The St. Louis Jewish community can further embrace and enjoy sunflowers through local events and artistic celebrations.
Eckert’s Farm ‘Sunflower Experience’
For those looking to celebrate and immerse themselves in the beauty of sunflowers, Eckert’s Farm in Belleville offers a unique experience. From July 25 to Aug. 4, the farm hosts its annual Sunflower Farm Experience, allowing visitors to explore a two-acre field filled with sunflowers standing five-feet tall. Guests can enjoy activities like cutting their own sunflowers, picking tree-ripened peaches and selecting vine-grown blackberries.
Eckert’s Farm also features special events such as “Sunflowers at Sunset,” where visitors can enjoy a sunset tractor ride to the sunflower fields followed by a cider tasting and a “jarcuterie” experience. The farm’s Sunflower Festival on Aug. 3 includes local vendors, face painting and sunflower-themed photo sessions. These events provide an opportunity to celebrate sunflowers’ beauty while enjoying farm-fresh produce and engaging in fun activities.
Artistic Celebration: The sunflower silos
Art and nature beautifully intersect at Sunflower Hill Farm, located between Defiance and Augusta. Here, three towering silos have been transformed into vibrant canvases adorned with sunflowers. This striking mural is the work of Jewish St. Louis artist Anne Molasky and her painting partner Kim Alsop. Commissioned by the farm’s owners, Karen and Mike Koehneman, the sunflower silos have become a visual landmark along Route 94, just a half-mile south of Sunflower Hill Farm.
Molasky, an accomplished artist with a background in fine arts, teamed up with Alsop to bring this project to life. Their collaborative process involved sketching designs on paper, translating them onto the silo surfaces and using spray paint to create the mural. Despite challenges like intense heat and the height of the silos, the duo’s dedication paid off, resulting in a stunning masterpiece that attracts both locals and visitors.
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
Another popular place for St. Louisans to view remarkable sunflower displays is Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake. Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff has planted multiple sunflower plots again this year and initial blooms began emerging earlier this month.
“The recent rain we’ve gotten in late June should really help accelerate things,” said Clinton Owenby, MDC regional resource management district supervisor. “We estimate prime viewing should be mid-July through late August depending on weather conditions.”
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Road. The area can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles. Columbia Bottom is open every day from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour past sunset.
