The Log Cabin Challah Cover: A Jewish American Quilting Journey

Educator: Cathy Perlmutter
Location: Virtual – Anywhere
Website: www.Gefiltequilt.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

In this entertaining lecture, I will take you on a visual tour of my journey into contemporary American quilting – where I unexpectedly found myself deepening my Jewish knowledge and spirit.
I’ll show quilted and/or stitched Judaica I’ve made over 30 years, including challah covers, matzoh covers, kippot, tallitot, decorative wallhangings, and most thrilling of all (because of the high stakes), beautiful quilted chuppot, wedding canopies that have to stay in place even during unexpectedly windy weddings!

As an option, this lecture can be followed by a workshop to make a project that’s appropriate for your audience and the time of year. This could be anything from a simple embroidered challah cover to a stuffed polyhedron matzoh ball (and more!)

I am an award-winning fiber artist; my quilts and sculptures been shown in national quilt shows, museums and galleries. I am a past-president of the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework. I blog at gefiltequilt.com; my website devoted to Judaic quilting is judaiquilt.com.

Program Time: 45 minute lecture $200 (sliding scale)
Program Fee: Workshop: 2-6 Hours, $300-$600 (sliding scale)

The History of Jewish Ceremonial Objects Used in the Home

Educator: Frann Addison
Location: Acton, MA
Website: http://www.frannaddisonjudaica.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 978 808-4262

“The History of Jewish Ceremonial Objects Used in the Home” is based on research Frann did for her master’s thesis. In the presentation, she shows approximately 100 slides of historical pieces and speaks about the different holidays and celebrations in which they are used, as well as discussing the artistic influences of the country in which they were made, Christian influences, ritual requirements, superstitions regarding the pieces’ use, etc. She also brings some of her own Judaica creations to share.

Through the lecture she hopes to enlighten Jews and non-Jews about this aspect of Jewish cultural heritage.

Program Time: approximately one hour
Program Fee: $350 plus travel expenses

Embroidery and Sacred Text

Educator: Rachel Braun
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Website: www.rachelbraun.net
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 588-5843

Rachel is a Judaic embroidery designer and artist, as well as author of the 2017 book Embroidery and Sacred Text. She has spoken about her work to diverse audiences: at Brandeis University’s Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, The Textile Museum in Washington, DC, Jewish Study Center in DC, Dominican University in IL (forthcoming), in synagogue settings and elsewhere. Rachel has exhibited her embroidery widely.

In a one-hour book talk followed by a Q&A with the audience, Rachel reaches her audience at many levels. Her embroidery designs always start with a phrase of Jewish sacred texts, and she discusses how the patterns of embroidery and their placement within the canvasses become a commentary (drasha) on the sacred verses. A math teacher, Rachel accessibly explains the principles of geometric symmetry and modular arithmetic that underlie designing on even-weave fabric. Her talks have been praised for their breadth and humor.

“Artist and mathematician Rachel Braun’s creativity and depth of knowledge led to a lively conversation about her art and the long tradition of interpreting Jewish text into new forms. The event attracted a large audience of men and women ranging from older scholars and community members to college students, all of whom were captivated by Braun’s explanations of the hidden patterns in her art and the surprising reasons for her holding a Guinness World Record for her collection of graph paper. Braun’s art is graceful and complex, and she speaks with both real passion and an infectious sense of humor. She is truly one of a kind.” – Lisa Fishbayn Joffe, Hadassah – Brandeis Institute

Program Time: 1 Hour
Program Fee: $135 plus travel expenses

Wood Carving and Glass Blowing Workshops and Classes

Educator: Gabriel Bass, Founder and Managing Instructor at Jewish Art Center
Location: Moshav Mata, Israel (Between Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh)
Website: http://jewishartistcenter.org/
Email:
Phone: (202) 609-9754

Weekly courses, intensive courses, studio tours and workshops. Hands on workshops in wood carving and glass blowing. Please contact me for more information.

Program Time: most programs run 2 hours; workshops and intensives will be longer
Program Fee: Fee (if any) depending upon your learning needs

Artists’ Beit Midrash Sessions for Adults and Teens

Educator: Robin Atlas and Nancy Current
Location: Virtual – everywhere; In Person – almost everywhere
Website: www.vectorartistinitiative.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

For amateur and professional artists alike — this class is for anyone who would like to study text with a group and create visual commentary (artwork) based on that study. In the first part of each session the group studies a topic from Jewish texts. Next, a slide show and discussion of relevant art illustrates the way other artists have considered the subject. Since the artwork is done at home and shared at the next session, artists present their work to the class in the last portion of each session. The goal is to experience the process of group text study and foster each artist’s ability to express their own interpretation within the construct of visual midrash. Virtual sessions are held monthly. Appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Program Time: 90 minute class; once a month
Program Fee: Negotiable (virtual or in-person)

A Short and Mostly Correct History of Visual Midrash and Midrashic Art

Educator: Robin Atlas and Nancy Current
Location: Virtual – everywhere; In Person – almost everywhere
Website: www.vectorartistinitiative.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

Vector Artist Initiative (VAI) founders and AGJA members Robin Atlas and Nancy Current introduce participants to a mostly true and sometimes offbeat history of visual midrash and midrashic art. They focus on the origins of visual midrash – including the ideas of intentionality and the artist’s approach to interpreting texts. The presentation is illustrated by examples and stories of midrashic art from the historic to the modern, and ends with a discussion of some of contemporary luminaries of Jewish midrashic art. Appropriate for ages 16 and over.

Program Time: 1 hr. lecture, includes Q and A
Program Fee: Negotiable (virtual or in-person)

Visual Midrash Workshop for Young Adults and Adults

Educator: Robin Atlas and Nancy Current
Location: Virtual – everywhere; In Person – almost everywhere
Website: www.vectorartistinitiative.com
Email: [email protected]

Exploring visual midrash (visual commentary) in the context of hate speech and taught by Nancy Current and Robin Atlas, participants explore Judaic writing or stories from a variety of sources (rabbinical and personal), and then they create artwork inspired by their study. Students are also asked to contextualize the artwork by writing a short paragraph about their intention. This exercise emphasizes the importance of the participant’s thought process over the quality of art made, encouraging all efforts regardless of artistic abilities. Nancy and Robin typically produce a booklet from the students’ art and writings which serves as an important reminder of the uplifting attitudes and ideas the group produced in the workshop.

Duration: 3 hours (two – 1 ½ hour sessions).
These sessions can be done on Zoom with up to 8 students.
Program Fee: Negotiable (virtual or in person).

On the Consequences of Hate Speech (OCHS) Guided Tour and Round Table Discussion

Educator: Robin Atlas and Nancy Current
Location: Virtual – everywhere; In Person – almost everywhere
Website: vectorartistinitiative.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

Join AGJA members Robin Atlas and Nancy Current on a guided tour of their ever evolving community art project, On the Consequences of Hate Speech, followed by a community discussion about what effect hate speech has on our communities and what we all can do to try to shift the paradigm. Suggested additional panel members for an audience driven discussion could include Nancy and Robin along with other participating artists, local activists, clergy and historians, among others. Programming can be custom tailored to fit the needs of the institution and any age range requirements from children to seniors.

Program Time: 60 – 90 minutes
Program Fee: Negotiable (virtual or in-person)

ARTorah

Educator: Rhoda (Batya) Ryba
Location: Philadelphia Metropolitan Area
Website: http://batyaryba.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

ARTorah — Torah, through the eyes of an artist, and yours! Synagogues or other Jewish organizations may engage Batya Ryba for a series of three 1.5-hour classes, to carefully observe text from the Hebrew Bible — discovering its art, its beauty, poetry and personal meaning for our lives. There is so much art and beauty in the Hebrew Bible that we may not always see! In this series of classes, participants will look carefully at some art, some text, and explore some representations of concepts in the TaNaKh, as if through the eyes of an artist.

Program Time: Three 1.5 hour classes
Program Fee: Negotiable

Learn Adobe CC – Beginning to Advanced with Artist Valeriya Khomar

Educator: Valeriya Khomar
Location: Montreal, Canada
Website: www.artistvaleriyakhomar.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

I teach Adobe CC: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. All levels – beginner, intermediate & advanced. I have had a lifelong career in visual arts, illustration and computer design, so I know very well that every creative person needs exposure and a beautiful presentation of their work. Using my years of design experience, I teach artists how to successfully present their work through the use of computer graphics and design. I’m pleased that today, many of my students have successful art careers and I take pride in having helped them learn the skills necessary to achieve their goals.

Program Time: Three weeks and longer
Program Fee: Depending upon class schedule

The Art of Flora Rosefsky: Journey of Imagination in Jewish Tradition and Expression

Educator: Flora Rosefsky
Location: Atlanta, GA
Website: http://www.florarosefsky.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

This program can be given as a talk, lecture or artist in residency. If given as a residency the programming would follow this type of format: Saturday: afternoon family hands-on workshop on a theme such as beautifying Torah, A Family Tree: L’Dor V’Dor – From Generation to Generation or continuation of study/discussion about Judaica and art inspired by Jewish traditions. Saturday evening: Art exhibition of Rosefsky’s work – with artist’s talk. Part of purchases to benefit the sponsoring synagogue, JCC or other institution. Sunday morning: hands-on workshop for synagogue’s Sunday School classes. Available examples of exhibition themes: Jewish Holidays, Festivals and Rituals. Drawing with Scissors: The Art of Paper Judaic Cutouts. Tradition: How Families Celebrate! The Art of Torah. Note that often the results of residency/workshop artwork is often framed, and then installed as permanent installations or reproduced onto note cards. Appropriate for synagogues, JCCs or other Jewish institutions. For more information please contact the artist.

Program Time:
Program Fee: from $2500

Visual Midrash: Illustrating Torah and Related Jewish Text

Educator: Flora Rosefsky
Location: Atlanta, GA
Website: http://www.florarosefsky.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

Using the art of paper cutouts and mixed materials that may include found objects like recycled cell phones, participants create an imaginative contemporary interpretation of Torah readings or other Jewish text that express personal meaning in their life today, while connecting their concepts with words written thousands of years ago for their inspiration. Appropriate for middle school, high school and adults of all ages. With over thirty-five years of experience as a teaching artist, Flora Rosefsky is noted for creating a “risk-free environment” where students of all ages feel comfortable experimenting with a new process. She conducted workshops and artist residencies in select Upstate New York, Northern Westchester, New York City and Atlanta schools as well as institutions like museums, JCCs, synagogues, Senior Citizen Centers, and Hillel Centers. Art exhibition available during a workshop/residency or lecture presentation. Exhibition can remain in the institution to use as a teaching resource after the program ends. For more information please contact the artist.

Program Time: 1-2 Hours
Program Fee: sliding $250-$600

Interpreting Prayer and Religious Text with the Art of Paper Cutouts

Educator: Flora Rosefsky
Location: Atlanta, GA
Website: http://www.florarosefsky.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

Meditations and excerpts from prayers and sacred texts are the source of inspiration to create meaningful personal works of art. Appropriate for teenagers, adults of all ages, and particularly appropriate for interfaith programs and dialogues. With over thirty-five years of experience as a teaching artist, Flora Rosefsky is noted for creating a “risk-free environment” where students of all ages feel comfortable experimenting with a new process. She conducted workshops and artist residencies in select Upstate New York, Northern Westchester, New York City and Atlanta schools as well as institutions like museums, JCCs, synagogues, Senior Citizen Centers, and Hillel Centers. Expressing Judaic themes, an integral part of Rosefsky’s own work, becomes the inspiration for her creative curriculum development, both as a teaching artist and as a speaker. Art exhibition available during a workshop/residency or lecture presentation. Exhibition can remain in the institution to use as a teaching resource after the program ends. For more information please contact the artist.

Program Time: 1-2 Hours
Program Fee: sliding $250-$600

Danish Fishing Boats: How Denmark Saved Their Jews in WWII Holocaust

Educator: Flora Rosefsky
Location: Location: Atlanta, GA
Website: http://www.florarosefsky.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone:

This mixed materials workshop recreates the story of how Denmark saved their Jews in World War II by ferrying them safely across the North Sea to neutral Sweden. Making small recycled “fishing boats” leaves a positive impact on understanding how the human spirit can “do the right thing”. For 5th grade to middle school or for family workshop. With over thirty-five years of experience as a teaching artist, Flora Rosefsky is noted for creating a “risk-free environment” where students of all ages feel comfortable experimenting with a new process. She conducted workshops and artist residencies in select Upstate New York, Northern Westchester, New York City and Atlanta schools as well as institutions like museums, JCCs, synagogues, Senior Citizen Centers, and Hillel Centers. Expressing Judaic themes, an integral part of Rosefsky’s own work, becomes the inspiration for her creative curriculum development, both as a teaching artist and as a speaker. Art exhibition available during a workshop/residency or lecture presentation. Exhibition can remain in the institution to use as a teaching resource after the program ends. For more information please contact the artist.

Program Time: 1-2 Hours
Program Fee: sliding $250-$600

Contemporary American Judaic Metalsmithing (Illustrated Talk)

Educator: Jim Cohen
Location: Durham, NC
Website: http://jimcohenjudaica.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (505) 474-5240

This talk looks at the place of Judaic metalsmithing in the context of the overall world of Jewish and Judaic art. After looking at the biblical basis for adornment within the synagogue, the talk leaps ahead to the pre-Revolutionary War New York and America’s first Judaic silversmith. Continuing to leap forward the time – to Post World War II, New York and California. The “family tree” of many contemporary Judaic silversmiths trace their roots to Post World War II New York, Finally, the talk concludes with a survey of some of the major Judaic silversmiths practicing in the United States and Canada.

Program Time: 1 hr lecture, includes Q and A
Program Fee: $250 plus expenses