Persian Jews at Yeshiva University Museum
Light and Shadows: The Story of Iranian Jews at the Yeshiva University Museum in New York reviews 2500 years of Jewish cultural history and survival in one Middle Eastern diaspora.
Bonhams & Sotheby's Judaica 2013
It is a rare season indeed when two major auction houses are showing not only resplendent offerings of Judaica, but also multiple examples of highly unusual and rare Jewish themed fine art. That is indeed the case right now both…
What’s in a Name?
In Search of Ancestors, Sculpture by Simon Gaon
The name Simon Gaon I remember well. As a passionate painter and founding member of the rough and tumble “Street Painters” I knew him from many, many years ago when I was a participant…
Unconditional Love: Cairo Ark Door and Falk's Paintings
Unconditional love is a concept that sets the bar of human conduct and forgiveness at a dizzying height, challenging the very fabric of human credulity. The same stress exists when applied in a religious context, fueling extreme…
Contemporary Book Art and Hebrew Texts
The “book” is a mighty big place these days and the current exhibition at MOBIA, As Subject and Object: Contemporary Book Artists Explore Sacred Hebrew Texts is no exception. Highly mobile eBooks compete with online publications and traditionally bound…
Old and New: Mark Podwal’s Textiles for the Altneuschul in Prague
Mark Podwal is a busy, busy man. When I wrote that in these pages in September, 2010 it is now clear I didn’t know the half of it… witness his current exhibition at Yeshiva…
Lilith by Siona Benjamin
Siona Benjamin’s exhibition Finding Home: The Art of Siona Benjamin is simply beautiful. Set in the spacious lobby gallery of the JCC Manhattan, it allows for a peaceful (when the kids, nannies and crowds subside) contemplation of this complex artist’s meditations on…
Siona Benjamin’s Megillas Esther
There is nothing funny about Siona Benjamin’s Megillas Esther (2010). Unlike some contemporary illuminated megillas that emphasize the absurd and outlandish nature of the corrupt Persian court and the buffoonish character of the king, Benjamin takes the Book of Esther quite…
Learning to Count: Omer Counter by Judith Margolis
I am still counting. But when you, dear reader, see this, you will have finished, having safely arrived at Matan Torah. Nonetheless, even if you meditated deeply each and every day, the fact is that we still…
Harry McCormick’s Paintings: A Unique Jewish Genre
At the Chassidic Art Institute one artist, Harry McCormick, has rather amazingly fathomed the authentic heartbeat of the individual Jewish life. This exhibition, running until July 25, shows a mere 16 paintings, but within the major works he…
Fine Judaica Auction
Judaica Auctions and the exhibition that precede them at Kestenbaum & Company are always a cornucopia of aesthetic delights. The sheer variety and overall quality of the ceremonial objects and works of art make the exhibition and catalogue a museum-like experience. The…
Steinhardt's Legacy
Michael and Judy Steinhardt are putting up their magnificent Judaica collection for sale at Sotheby’s in New York on April 29th. The results of 44 years of diverse collecting will be on view from Wednesday April 24 and simply must be seen by…