Artist Nancy Katz came aboard as artists’ chair, and Seymour Fromer, retired founding director of the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley, as the event chair.
“We wanted to make sure everyone’s needs are met. The artists needed a good venue for sharing their work, patrons wanted a way to explore Bay Area Jewish art, and the federation wanted to support an incredible arts community that is not well-known by the general Jewish community,” said Jo-Ann Jacobson, who chairs the federation’s Center for Jewish Living and Learning, which is in charge.
While attendees are out seeing what the community’s artists are up to, Jacobson thinks they may also find it an opportunity to make a spiritual connection through art.
“There are wonderful artists creating beautiful ritual pieces like hand-woven tallitot and gorgeous metal mezuzot,” said Jamie Hyams, who is coordinating the event’s components. “Then there are works that interpret our tradition in innovative and powerful ways.”
Unusual media are also being used to express Jewish themes, such as beadwork, glass and digital art. While many pieces have Jewish themes, others are simply created by artists who are Jews.
The event’s committee began its work more than a year ago. The committee members are Sheila Braufman, Jerry Derblich, Suzanne D’Arcy, Barbara de Groot, Anthony Dubrovsky, Susan Felix, Fromer, Shoshana Greenberg, Elisheva Hurvich, Jo-Ann Jacobson, Katz, George Krevsky, Alan Leon, Susan Solomon Libitzky, Julie Ohlmert, Michelle Joy Schwartz, Lila Wahrhaftig, and Haggai Wolff.
Event staff are Hyams, the center’s community programs director; Valerie Jonas, the federation’s director of marketing; and Rabbi Glenn Karonsky, the center’s executive director.
Jewish Arts Renaissance received a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay, and support from the Jewish Bulletin of Northern California; Anselmo’s Cafe and Showroom; Afikomen Jewish Books, Gifts and Arts; the Richmond Art Center; Sinai Memorial Chapel; Cecile Moochnek Gallery; Chochmat HaLev; Libitzky Property Companies; Orton Development Inc.; and Ziegler Development Corp.
The event is not a competition.
“By leaving it wide open, every artist can participate and hopefully every attendee will find something that appeals to them personally,” Hyams said.
Howard Goodman, federation president, echoes Hyams’ hopes.
“Engaging Jewish art can be a very personally rewarding experience. For the first time ever in the country, people can devote a day to meeting Jewish artists, learning about their work and, hopefully, come away with something that has meaning for them.”