Jewish Ritual: Rethinking, Renewed

Rituals like art give meaning to life. Judaism is steeped in rituals and traditions. Over time
some rituals have evolved or changed to reflect our need to renew, rethink and recreate
traditions that have been passed down between generations or have existed through our
history. The challenge is finding the right balance between the historical roots of a
longstanding ritual and the introduction of contemporary interpretations into the ritual.
When we encourage ourselves to rethink and/or renew our rituals, we are giving permission
to engage anew in our relationship with Judaism.

Jewish rituals affirm our commitment to living a Jewish life and add relevance to our lives.
Rituals become more than something we do just because our ancestors did them. They can
foster a sense of comfort, connection, self-refection and spirituality. The creation of objects as
part of the ritual has always been central to Jewish observance. We add beauty to our
synagogues and our homes through the addition of ritual objects. The creation of a ritual object
is said to be a form of hiddur mitzvah (a beautification of the commandment). Jewish Rituals:
Rethinking, Renewed explores how the artists in the Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) have given
new dimension to ritual objects and have created their own hiddur mitzvah. The question was
posed to the artists: How does your art add more relevance to the rituals that play an
important role in your lives and in the lives of the community?

This exhibition is a reflection of the many facets of Jewish rituals and holidays. It is a melding
of the rituals that infuse every aspect of living a Jewish life. The photo Tallit Steps from which
we begin this journey sets the tone for looking at the collective whole of the exhibition. From
the most historical of places Jerusalem we are reminded of the most traditional of Jewish ritual
items, the tallit. Another artist explores what it means to count the Omer year after year, and
how this brings new meaning to this seven-week period starting the second night of Passover
and ending with Shavout. From this comes the larger question of how does one begin to learn
and engage in the study of all of mitzvot. The response was to create work that symbolizes
mitzvot. Several of the artists have made public a way to make connections as represented by
the tzedakah box and the Commandment Scoreboard.

The Tefilah pieces call us to prayer, which is central to Jewish observance and to the history of
Judaism. It infuses richness to our lives whether spoken or sung, but prayer is also open to
interpretation through artwork. Several of the JAI artists have also created works that give
pause for reflection and create a moment of sanctity in our in lives: a time to pray, a time to
remember, a time to forgive. Throughout the exhibit there are recognizable symbols reflected
in the menorah (as a Tree of Life), and the tambourines (in joyous celebration of freedom) and
each invites a closer look.

As one looks for direction and how to make a whole Jewish life we encounter many possible
paths to take. Signs point us along the way as the Fonen: Yiddish Ritual Flags beckon the
viewer to announce, affirm and proclaim a connection to Judaism. The Longest Potholder
invites us to stop and enter. From the everyday object of socks a magical world has been
created. Come sit under the sukkah, the chuppah or imagine being in the kitchen and baking
challah. These works evoke memories of growing up, of stories told over and over in families.
Jewish Rituals is about the endless possibilities for rethinking and renewing ones commitment
to engaging in the delicate balance of living a fulfilled Jewish life.

Georgia Freedman-Harvey
Exhibition Curator