Silent Witnesses - Ellen Alt's Kol HaNeshama in Jerusalem

Every week we feature several artists' projects in our current exhibit Silent Witnesses: Synagogues Transformed, Rebuilt, or Left Behind - Artists Respond to History.

  

This is a collaborative art exhibit organized by the Cultural Heritage Artists Project, with the Jewish Art Salon,  JWalks and the Holocaust Memorial Center. February 22 - April 14 in Metro Detroit. Exhibit info here.

Ellen Alt -
Kehilat Kol Haneshama, Jerusalem: A Constant in a Changing Capitol
 
"My piece is an exploration of Jerusalem through the eyes of Kehilah Kol Haneshama (KKH), a progressive congregation in Baka/Geulim.  KKH was founded 25 years ago when Jerusalem, while diverse, was relatively integrated and prosperous.

The city has experienced many migrations in recent decades, becoming more divided between its Arab and Jewish populations, and has been the site of both intifadas and peace summits. There has been an exodus of its young, secular and middle-class residents as well as its Christian community.  Jerusalem has also welcomed a new wave of Muslim, Ethiopian and Russian immigrants, and Orthodox Jews.  As a result, observant programs and centers of learning have flourished.

Talmud Jazz / Art / Poetry session

Uri Sharlin by Dina Horowitz

Our interactive art workshop with performance poet Jake Marmer and the band was a great success.

 

February 16th we gathered at Manhattan's Community Synagogue where saxophonist Greg "Jazz Rabbi" Wall, Uri Sharlin on keys, Rob Henke on trumpet, and Jon Madof on guitar did an excellent job improvising on Jake's spoken words.

 

Based on what was happening on the stage, the audience sketched, painted, took photographs, or just enjoyed the scene. 

Several people contributed to Ellen Alt and Meghann Snow's interactive Talmud Page. 

View photos of the event here. Some of the art made that night here.

 

Rob Henke by Dina Horowitz

Ellen Alt's "Linear Life: Nature, Belief and Alphabets"

Lace Fish", mixed media on wood

Alt's solo show opens Thursday, March 1st 5:30 - 7:30pm, artist presentation at 6:30pm.

The exhibition runs till Dec 2012. 

  

The Jewish Education Project

520 Eighth Ave. Suite 1500

New York, NY

between 36th and 37th Sts.

RSVP to Debbie at dseiden@jewishedproject.org646 472-5362, to attend the reception or for viewing the exhibition at another time. Ellen Alt's new web sites viewable here and here.