In the July 1, 1966 issue of Commentary Magazine, Jewish art critic Henry Rosenberg wrote an article entitled “Is There A Jewish Art?” In it, he said: “Jewish creation in art has been very vital in this century, and the important thing is that while Jewish artists have not been creating as Jews, they have not been working as non-Jews, either. Their art has been the closest expression of themselves as they are.”
Jewish people honor their roots, discover their past and protect their identity. Historically, identity was sometimes all they had.
Local Jewish artists were recently given the chance to answer an important question: What is Jewish art? See how 25 local artists responded during the Jewish Arts Festival, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, on Sunday, September 11.
Finding early answers
Sixteen year old artist Ella Musher Eizenman explores her identity by working Judaica symbolism into her photography. Age 16, Eizenman began using a digital camera at age seven, learning the basics of photography. She says the festival inspired her to look at Jewish symbols and history to experiment with new styles.
Glass artist and Toledo native, Adam Goldberg, will show his works during the festival. While most of his pieces are not Jewish in nature, he says, “My upbringing and the way I see the world is part of my Jewish heritage.”
Goldberg co-owns Gathered Glassblowing Studio, which he opened with two friends, Eli Lipman and Mike Stevens. Goldberg, along with his team at Gathered, also creates custom installations, like two large-scale, site-specific installations for the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium and ProMedica.
Discovering your own way
Gabi Mallin, a graphic designer and former Atlanta window designer for the Federated Department store which owns Macy’s, will show her unique digital work. Her vibrant, abstract and jewel-toned compositions are created digitally through a technique she developed on her own. Mallin first takes her own photographs of nature and hands. After doing a design by computer, she prints out multiple images, textures and backgrounds and then hand cuts each layer with spacers to create a 3D piece of artwork.
Loving it late in life
While Renee Jacobson’s interest in art began as a child, when her father taught her calligraphy, her jewelry business didn’t begin until 25 years ago. After spending years watching her husband buy and sell jewelry, she decided to try her hand at jewelry making.
After a few years experimenting, “Jewels by Renee” was born, along with her pieces made with glass, metal, wood, crystal and enamel. She and her husband immediately sold out of her first 1,500 bracelets.
Her husband passed away three years ago, but Jacobson continues to create to keep memories of them together alive. “I get enjoyment when someone ‘oohs and aahs’ something that I have created,” she says. “Everyone is an artist whether it’s the way you arrange the colors in your house or the dishes on your table.”
Come see Toledo’s Jewish artists during the Jewish Arts Festival.
11:30am-5pm | Sunday | September 11
Temple Shomer Emunim (next to the JCC/YMCA)
6453 W. Sylvania Ave. | Sylvania
419-885-3341 | jewishtoledo.org
