beyond the narrow place
TRANSCRIPT
THE TEMPLE EMANU-EL STREICKER CENTER PRESENTS
BEYOND THE NARROW PLACE
Beth Brenzel Barry R. Friedfertig
Sandra Indig Hedda Kafka
Rachel Kanter Susan Kaplow Maryann King
Laura Orefice Stevens Ronni Pressman
Vicki Reikes Fox Arlene Sokolow
Anna Weider-Blank Nili Weissman
A Virtual Exhibition by members of the
Barbara C. Freedman Artists’ Beit Midrash at the
Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center A Skirball Academy Class
Virtual Opening Monday, June 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM EDT
Seeing is at the heart of Torah, belying a reductive interpretation of the Second Commandment. Color, space, design, beauty and terror all are present directly and enduringly.
Members of the Visual Artists’ Beit Midrash have continued to be inspired by Jewish texts and art-sharing during the pandemic. Under the guidance of Rabba Wendy Ansellem of Yeshivat Maharat, we have studied talmudic and hasidic texts relevant to our extraordinary times. With
the leadership of artist Tobi Kahn we have critiqued and encouraged one another’s work.
The artists will be sharing their paintings,
sculptures and installation works, many of which were created
in spite of or because of the pandemic.
The Streicker Academy Artists’ Beit Midrash, co-founded by
Rabbi Leon Morris and artist Tobi Kahn 20 years ago, is a community of artists who analyze, interrogate and create.
We are grateful to the family of Barbara C. Freedman z”l, for their bequest in Barbara’s memory.
This catalogue was created by Ronni Pressman
Barbara C. Freedman
May we all see some of the beauty that Barbara captured and shared with each of us.
May her memory continue to be a blessing to us all.
זכרונו לברכה
Beth Brenzel [email protected]
1. Roses and Fire Gouache. 2020 14”X 17”
NFS 2. Summer Leaves Gouache. 2021 14” X 22”
NFS 3. Earth BluesGouache. 2020 14" X 22
NFS 4. Yellow-Red Poppies Gouache. 2020 14” X 22”
NFS 5.Pavement of Sapphire Pines Gouache. 2020 14" X 22”
NFS
Barry Friedfertig [email protected]
1. Void Linen canvas on board. 2021 9” x 12” – Price upon request 2. I Am…. Linen canvas on boards. 2020 9” x 24” – Price upon request 3. (left to right) Now What? Ones Acrylic on linen canvas. 2020 Acrylic on linen canvas. 2020 24” x 18” x 1”- Price upon request 24” x 18” x 1” – Price upon request
4. (left to right) Chance-Sea Viewing Change Acrylic on canvas.2021 Acrylic on linen canvas. 2021
24” x 15” x 3/4” – Price upon request 12” x 12” x 1” – Price upon request
Malleable Acrylic on canvas. 2021 24” x 15” x 3/4”
Price upon request.
5. (left to right) Reaching “60” India ink on linen board. 2021 Mixed media on linen board. 2021
12” x 16” – Price upon request. 18” x 24” Price upon request. “12” India ink on linen board. 2021 9” x 12” - Price upon request.
Sandra Indig [email protected]
1. Universal Singing Modeling Paste, Acrylic, Graphite. 2019-2021 12”x 9” Price upon request.
2.a Frozen
Oil Stick. 2018-2021 11”x 9.5” Price upon request.
2.b Outside
Oil Stick. 2018-2021 11”x 9.5” Price upon request.
3. Screaming
Acrylic. 2020-2021 12” x 10” Price upon request.
4. Languishing
Ink, Acrylic. 2020 10”x13” unframed/11”x14” framed Price upon request.
5.a Gravitas of Justice 1
Oil Stick. 2021 12”x 10” Price upon request.
5.b Gravitas of Justice 2 Oil Stick. 2021 12”x12” Price upon request.
Justice Rains You cried when the Universe sang,
You froze when His Angels took flight, Your eyes teared when you stood
outside the golden circle of love, You screamed when they drilled holesinto their hearts,
You languished in whirlpools of longing The gravitas of justice rains in the Valley of Gehinnom.
Hedda Kafka [email protected]
1. Burning Bush I Pastel. 2015 8” x 11” Price upon request.
2. Burning Bush II Pastel. 2019 5 3/8” x 7” Price upon request.
3. Dark and Light
Pastel on Inkjet Print. 2020 8” x 10” Price upon request.
4. Musicians During COVID
Cray-pas. 2020 10 1/4” x 13 1/2” Price upon request.
5. Mother, Child and Child
Mixed Media. 2020 22” x 28” Price upon request.
Rachel Kanter [email protected] www.rachelkanter.com In the Jewish tradition,tachrichimare simple, white shrouds used to bury the dead. They are traditionally hand sewn from white linen or cotton and are made without pockets, buttons or zippers. These plain, unadorned garments are free of any symbol of status or wealth and emphasize the belief in human equality. My seriesTachrichim - Head Covering, Shirt, Pantsare not burial shrouds for a person but rather for an idea.Tachrichim 1 - Head Covering, Shirt, Pantsis made from used American flags that are worn and tattered. It emphasizes the fragility of America and it’s ideals.Tachrichim 2 - Head Covering, Shirt, Pants and Tachrichim 3 - Head Covering, Shirt, Pantsare shrouds for the earth. They are a look into our future and what will happen if we continue on this path of ecological destruction.
1. Tachrichim 1 - Head Covering, Shirt, Pants Vintage American flags, hand dyed cotton. 2020 Head Covering: 32” x 9” - Shirt: 37” x 31” - Pants: 43” x 24” Price upon request.
2. Tachrichim 2 - Head Covering, Shirt, Pant
Cotton printed with a photograph taken by the artist. 2021 Head Covering: 32” x 9” - Shirt: 37” x 31” - Pants: 43” x 24” Price upon request.
3. Tachrichim 3 - Head Covering, Shirt, Pants Cotton printed with a photograph taken by the artist. 2021 Head Covering: 32” x 9” - Shirt: 37” x 31” - Pants: 43” x 24” Price upon request.
Susan Kaplow [email protected]
1. In the Midbar Hand-felted fiber and mixed media. 2020 18”x 5”x 3” NFS
2. Shomeret
Mixed media. 2020 30”x 12”x 7” NFS
3. Whole Emerging Hand-felted fiber and mixed media. 2021 15”x 16”x 7” NFS
4. Whole from Broken Hand-felted fiber and mixed media. 2021 18”x 10”x 7” NFS
Maryann King [email protected]
1. Woodland 4 Wood, acrylic paint. 2020 14.5” tall x 6.5” wide x 2” deep Price upon request.
2. Woodland 5
Wood, acrylic paint. 2020 18” tall x 6.25” wide x 1” deep Price upon request.
3. Catskill 3
Wood, acrylic paint. 2021 13.5” tall x 8” wide x 1” deep Price upon request.
4. Woodland 3
Wood, acrylic paint. 2021 19.5” tall x 7.5” wide x 2.5” deep Price upon request.
5. Off to the Hills (Psalm 11)
Tree bark, acrylic paint. 2021 12” x 11” Price upon request.
Laura Orefice Stevens [email protected]
1. Covid 19 nightmare. Hineni Tempera, acrylic & oil. 2020 25.5” x 20” Price upon request.
2. BLM-Nefesh is a painting honoring George Floyd’s and many more African Americans giving their last breath when killed by police.
BLM- Nefesh: Life, Breath, Soul
Gouache-oil-acrylic.2020 22” x 16” Price upon request.
3. Solitude
Gouache and acrylic. 2020 26” x 22” Price upon request.
4. Jacob Meeting Rachel Gouache and pastels. 2020 42” x 31” Price upon request.
Ronni Pressman [email protected] www.ronnipressmanstudios.com
1. Vessel 1 Stoneware Clay, Glaze. 2021 8” H x 12” circumference Price upon request.
2. Vessel II
Stoneware Clay, Glaze. 2021 5.5” H x 14” circumference Price upon request.
3. Vessel III
Stoneware Clay, Glaze. 2021 6” H x 14” circumference Price upon request.
םימשב .4 (V’samim) Spice Vessels
Stoneware Clay, Glaze. 2021 a. 3” tall x 8” circumference b. 3” tall x 8” circumference c. 2.75” tall x 12” circumference d. 3” tall x 8.5” circumference Price upon request.
a. b. c. d.
This past year has been filled with
sorrow and pain - with the passing of
my husband, Fred Pressman z”l,
with many lives lost from COVID,
with the sadness of lost learning
opportunities for our youth,
with limited places and times to be
with loved ones, with friends and in community…
life to me, felt as if we were all tightly
closed off in our own private
vessels.
As seen in Vessel I, progressing to II
and III, life seems to be opening up
again and the sweetness of life
can be held in the palm-size
םימשב Vessels.
We just need to keep in mind…
ולכ םלועה לכ דאמ רצ רשג
דחפל אל רקיעהול לכ
The whole world is
a narrow bridge, but the most
important thing is to not be afraid.
Vicki Reikes Fox [email protected]
1. First Aid Kit Linocut on Arches paper. 2020 8” x 10” Price upon request.
Arlene Sokolow [email protected]
1. The Monument Digital rendering on iPad using Procreate with apple pencil.2020 “Jacob creates a pillar to mark the spot where he encountered God” Genesis 28:18 Price upon request
2. Pillar-Leave a Stone #2 Mixed medium/oil and cold wax, collage on arches 300lb watercolor paper. 2020 10” x 14 .5” In memory of my mother who is buried in Florida NFS
3. Memories of Stonehenge- Leave a Stone #2
Oil on mixed media board. 2020 8” x 10” In memory of my father who was buried at sea. NFS
4. A Walk in the Woods- Leave a Stone #3
Oil and cold wax on 300lb Arches Watercolor paper. 2020 11” x 15” In memory of the 500,000+ deaths Price upon request
5. The Stone on the Mouth of the Well
Digital rendering on iPad using Procreate with apple pencil. 2020 Reference:B’reishit Rabba 70:7 Midrash on Vayetzei by Rabbi Aaron D. Panken… “This stone became the place where God’s house (The Temple) would eventually stand”
Price upon request
Ana Weider-Blank www.anawiederblankart.com [email protected]
1. The Way We Would Heal… Dancing out the PTS Demons (Dinah, Persephone, Lilith, Europa)
Oil and Oil Sticks on Canvas. 2019 6’ x 7’ Price upon request
2. The Way We Would Heal…
Dinah and Persephone Dance the Tango Oil and Oil sticks on Canvas. 2019
6’ x 5’ Price upon request
3. The Way We Would Heal Installation
Oil sticks on canvas and paper, ceramic sculpture, flowers.2019 Variable Sizes Price upon request
4. The Way We Would Heal… Dinah and Persephone Heal by Excavating Their Past
Oil Sticks and Soil on Canvas. 2020 60” x 84” Price upon request
5. The Way We Would Heal… The Fairytale Protesters Dance, Drum, and Sing to Heal the Earth Oil and Oil sticks on Canvas. 2020
5’ x 6’ Diptych Price upon request
Nili Weissman [email protected]
1. Death in Life/Life in Death Graphite on board. 1994 9” x 10” NFS
2. In the Triangle Oil on panel. 1994 8” x 10” NFS
3. Shattered into Wholeness Oil on Panel. 1995 8” x 10” NFS
4. Untitled Oil on Wood. 2011 11 .75” x 11.75” NFS
5. Detail from 'The Journey' Oil on Canvas. 1990 18' x 6' NFS
During the solitude and depth of this year's
pandemic journey of 2020, I reflected upon the
ongoing spiritual journey of my life.
These paintings, at
different points in my journey over the past 30
years, are invitations into divine experience, which
are both terrifying and numinous, as the Holy One
brings us deeper into It's Being. Our human
experience opens us to divinity, within, through
and beyond. Holiness calls to Holiness.
I selected these paintings of
transformation, which speak forth the journey of life/death/rebirth over and over, again and again, until there is no more death, and
we touch into Eternal Being. These works are my deep bows to the gift of life I have been blessed with,
and to the Divine Presence in Everything.
Ein od milvado.
There is Nothing but You.