On view mar 6 - apr 27
Presented by Moving Traditions and the National Museum of American Jewish History, this exhibition shows how in 90 years, bat mitzvah evolved from a radical innovation into a nearly universal American tradition. A fascinating story of how individuals shape and change ritual, Bat Mitzvah Comes of Age offers a unique lens into the dynamism of Jewish life.
On view jan 9–mar 1
The Laurie M. Tisch Gallery invited street artist Gabriel Specter to create a portrait of The JCC in Manhattan. In order to do this, Gabriel spent countless hours within our 14 floors, going to programs, watching, listening and talking with staff and members of all ages. From the stories Gabriel heard and the people he met and photographed, a portrait of our community came into focus.
Gabriel Specter is an artist whose work has appeared on city streets all over the world. He approaches his subject with an anthropological mindset, paying as much attention to environment and movement as he does to facial expressions and texture.
On view Nov 18–Jan 5, 2012
An exploration of the dispersal of a single family—originally from western Lithuania—throughout the world, Distant Relations tells the story of diaspora through the stunning works of acclaimed photographer Lori Grinker. Combined with interviews, archival material, and text written by cultural anthropologist Roy Richard Grinker, this very intimate, yet ultimately universal work reflects the key aspects of diaspora as experienced by many families of differing origins and histories, the complex relationship between immigrants and their homelands, religious change, and multiculturalism.
presented by alma—home for hebrew culture
on view sept 19–nov 8
From Origin to Originality presents eighteen prominent, contemporary Israeli artists who have participated in or are associated with Alma’s Beit Midrash Yotzrim: a convening of the country’s top artists to study classic Jewish texts. Founded in 1996 by Talmud scholar Dr. Ruth Calderon, Beit Alma in Tel Aviv is an educational center for adults that offers a novel approach to the study of Jewish sources and the exploration of ideas and dilemmas that impact Israeli and Jewish identity. Alma engages this community of artists in a pluralistic and dialogue-based approach to classic Jewish sources, such as the Torah and the Talmud, while also incorporating literature, poetry, and philosophy.
The artworks in this exhibit, created across genres and mediums, address an array of themes such as social and political identity, nature vs technology, the banal and the poetic. Included in this exhibit are Israel’s most highly regarded artists; some are on the verge of international recognition, while others, like Larry Abramson, have enjoyed long-established careers in the global art scene. For all the artists, the ancient sources examined at Alma inform the creative process and become inspiration for artistic innovation.
Participating artists: Larry Abramson, Elad Armon, Tirzah Bassel, Anat Betzer, Ben Bezerano, Yuval Caspi, Shoshana’h Ciechanowski, Ofri Cnaani, Tsibi Geva, Leor Grady, Yehudit Gueta, Liz Hagag, Michal Heiman, Elad Kopler, Aviv Naveh, Hillah Nevo, Khen Shish, Tal Shochat.
Exhibit Curator: Tsibi Geva; Gallery Director: Megan Whitman; Coordinators for Alma: Dana Abta and Elad Armon.
All works are for sale. Proceeds benefit Alma and The JCC in Manhattan. For more information on Alma, please visit www.alma.org.il.
on view may 18–july 29
In the vibrant world created by Indian Jewish artist Siona Benjamin (originally from Bombay, now living in the US), Biblical characters appear as blue angels faced with problems and dilemmas of the contemporary world. Her artwork embodies the many cultural and artistic influences embedded in her biography, such as Indian miniature paintings and Sephardic icons, as well as the contemporary styles of pop art and multi-media installations. Find out more about Siona Benjamin.
The themes and energy in Finding Home have inspired a wide array of programs here at the JCC, and we're thrilled to have you get to know Siona and her multi-faceted work.
We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of The Flomenhaft Gallery
on view February 3–April 28
Fountain Gallery, the premier venue for artists with mental illness, and VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, present four artists who are navigating the relationship between disability and their own creative expressions. Jacks Ashley McNamara and Martin Cohen use their mental illness as a source of inspiration. Emily Eifler examines biological forms to exert control over a complex neurological disorder, and in his digital art, Scott Ligon investigates the connection between Attention Deficit Disorder and creativity. Their personal approaches provide a multi-faceted perspective on disability and the creative process.
on view november 4, 2010–january 27, 2011
See the exciting development of the Israel's film industry with movie posters from the pre-state era up through contemporary blockbusters! These images from the early days of emerging Israeli cinema, up through the growth of the 1970's and the boom of the last decade create a vibrant visual display of one of Israel's most popular cultural exports.
Growing Up at the Movies: Israeli Cinema 1930's–2000's is co-sponsored by The Israel Film Center, The Other Israel Film Festival and The Farkash Gallery, Israel.
on view august 25–october 28, 2010
In sixteen massive paintings accompanied by his own text, New York artist Richard McBee explores the Biblical narrative of Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac from the perspective of Sarah, the Jewish Matriarch. His eight diptychs frame this story of complex family dynamics and female interactions within a modern landscape punctuated with architectural details and filled with vibrant blues and oranges. McBee is a painter and a writer on Jewish Art whose work has been exhibited across the New York Metropolitan area.
On view May–July 2010
A graphic artwork series, All the Rest Is Commentary, celebrates the universality of the Golden Rule, "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself," in world religions. This site-specific project created for The Laurie M. Tisch Gallery by San Francisco-based artist Beth Grossman examines how this test plays out in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Jainism, Native American Spirituality, Yoruba African traditional religion, Unitarianism and the Baha'i Faith, using tablecloths as the motif—since all religions have rituals where they break bread together. At this critical moment in history, it seems opportune to explore this time-honored universal tenet through this visually striking exhibition.
bethgrossman.com
On view February–April 2010
What unites Jewish communities from Marrakesh to Mumbai has been the unique interplay between cultures, religions, and histories that has been at the heart of the Jewish diaspora experience for thousands of years. This stunning photographic journey through the fresh eyes of college students from the Kivunim program brings to light what it means to be a 'world-conscious' Jew. Curated by Tobi Kahn.
On view November 2009–Januray 2010
In conjunction with the JCC's Other Israel Festival, Israeli photographer Natan Dvir has created a photo exhibition, Eighteen, a series of portraits featuring Israeli Arabs at the age of eighteen. Eighteen is a critical age in Israel because it signifies the time when all Israeli Jewish citizens are required to report to the army to begin their service. This exhibition will offer insight into the experience of Arab teens in Israel who are entering adulthood and confronting their own unique sets of challenges living in the Jewish state. Dvir is the recipient of Les Recontres d'Arles 2007 Prix de l'Edition, Best Documentary Project by Photo District News in 2006, and the Santa Fe Image Award, Honorable Mention, in 2008. More information can be found on the artist’s website at natandvir.com.
On view September–November 2009
Bernard Eliyahu Sidi, a French-born Israeli artist, works in the tradition of the pre-Bezalel painters in Jerusalem, creating narrative paintings and interpretive illustrations of Jewish texts. This exhibition presents Mr. Sidi's fresh colorful images—flat, primitive, linear, and full of humor. He was awarded the prestigious Jesselson Prize by the Israel Museum in 1996.
On view June–August 2009
This exhibition shows selected portraits from Giard's two-decade long projects of photographing over 600 gay and lesbian writers. Including images of Allen Ginsberg, Tony Kushner, Adrienne Rich and many others, Giard set about documenting a wide survey of significant literary figures as well as brash new writers on the scene in straightforward, unadorned, yet sometimes witty portraits. Some of the writers pictured in the show regard their Jewish identity as central to their lives; for others it is wholly incidental. In all these stunning portraits, the images often tell more than the sitter intended. Co-sponsored with the Stephen Bulger Gallery, Toronto, with the cooperation of the Robert Giard Foundation.
therobertgiardfoundation.org
On view February–April 2009
These stunning works explore the past and future of Ethiopians in Israel. The exhibition juxtaposes what is being lost with the passing of older generations, and what new twists the younger generations are bringing to Ethiopian Jews from an artist within the community who is engaged in the struggle of a new identity.
avishaimekonen.com
On view November 2008–January 2009
An evocative and historical exhibition of synagogue and Jewish shop signs from New England and the Lower East Side. From explaining rules of the synagogue to newcomers, to signs from Jewish shops such as wine stores and bakeries, the exhibition brings to life a part of the American Jewish experience. The mixture of Yiddish, English, and even "Yinglish," together with the signs' simple charm, evoke a period of American Jewish history. The exhibition demonstrates how the forces of assimilation and acculturation have been a permanent part of the Jewish experience in America, thereby reflecting the ongoing challenges and opportunities in America.
On view September–November 2008
Linda Gissen has created large mixed media sculptures about choices—political, social, economic, legal, religious and physical. Creating Justice encourages the viewer to become involved in helping to solve the overwhelming problems of our world. With the use of familiar objects such as children's toys and easily accessible printed matter taken from newspapers, magazines, and the internet, Gissen draws us into a visual discussion of the huge social problems through humor, irreverence, parody, and sly surprises. The viewer is thus amused, shocked, confronted and informed through materials that suddenly acquire layers of meaning which have previously gone unnoticed. For further information about the artist, visit her website at lindagissen.com.
On View June–September 2008
Israeli-born photographer Orit Siman-Tov's latest series, Leisure Time in Israel, takes a look at contemporary Israelis and the leisure activities they enjoy. This series goes beyond the images we have become accustomed to in the evening news and presents a diverse community participating in familiar activities such as sunbathing and skiing. These relaxing images create an introverted tension, in so far as they are in direct contrast to the more common images of armed conflict and political strife that the region is known for. Siman-Tov's work has been exhibited all over Israel, Germany, and the United States.
oritsimantov.com
On view April–June 2008
Gain unique insight into the history of Israel through the colorful historic posters of early Zionist events, Israeli milestones, cultural events, consumer products and more. In the fall of 2005, the JCC presented one of our most successful exhibitions, Made in Israel—An Exhibition of Rare and Historical Posters. In honor of Israel's 60th Anniversary, the JCC and the Farkash Gallery have put together a new show of these great historical features.
On view March–April 2008
According to the Center for Disease Control, one in every 151 children will receive a diagnosis of autism this year. With April being National Autism Awareness Month, we plan to celebrate the children's often unrecognized creative talents with a presentation of artwork by New York City students, ages 10–21. You will have a chance not only to see the exhibition, but also to take part in week-long activities, including film, poetry, comedy and music—all performed by young people on the autistic spectrum.
On view January–March 2008
This stunning collection of images by Israeli photographer Harel Stanton explores the sacred sites and rituals of faith from around the world. His photographs feature ethnicities and religions including Orthodox Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Harel Stanton labels himself an 'ethnographical' photographer and his work focuses on rituals, ceremonies, traditions and other ethnic customs that distinguish the dozens of countries he has photographed. His photographs are published on a regular basis in Israel's leading geographical magazines, Masa Acher and Masa Olami.
2007
The creative and diverse community of students from the JCC Art Studios will present their artwork created in the studios. A juried selection of paintings, drawings, photographs, ceramic sculptures, vessels, shoes, jewelry and more are shown.
