Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on September 28, 2021

Community Content| Wicked Local

Hebrew Collegerecentlylaunched its centennial programming with the opening ofSeeing Torah: A Visual Midrash,an art exhibit representing the spiritual, politicaland feminist lessons of the Torah by Boston artist and Hebrew College adult learner Anita Rabinoff-Goldman.

This visual diary, which will be on display through December, consists of 54 squares filled with patterns, colors and textures that encourage viewers to reflect on what Torah means to them, to relate to it through their own experiences, and to consider how Torah can be a continuing source of learning and discourse.

As a Jewish woman, these are my stories, my familys history, and they tie me to every other Jewish person. By understanding more of our history, I gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Judaism and a greater understanding of myself, Rabinoff-Goldman said at the opening. I created a body of work that illustrated and deepened my understanding of Torah as well as its relevance to our 21st century lives. Hopefully, by sharing it with more people, others will benefit from a different way of entering the text. We are called a people of the book and there are many explorations of Torah by many experts in many books that fill many libraries.

Rabinoff-Goldman launched Seeing Torah after deciding to read the entire Torah from start to finish, beginning on Simchas Torah (this year, Sept.28-29). She later enrolled inMeahClassic, Hebrew Colleges intensive two-year, 100-hour adult-learning program. This coming year, she will be part of a newArtist Beit Midrash, a collaboration between Hebrew College and theJewish Arts Collaborative.

Rabinoff-Goldmans exhibit was initially scheduled to open in March 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19. Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon CohenAnisfeldsaid that now is an even more perfect time for the exhibit to openexactly 100 years after Hebrew College first opened its doors in the fall of 1921.

It isthroughdeep literacy that we give riseto rich intellectual, spiritual and cultural creativity, [and] it isthroughJewish education that we give birth to a vibrant Jewish future,Anisfeldsaid. What better expression of those values than an art exhibit born of deep and sustained study of the yearly Torah cyclethat is itself a work of visual midrash? Undertakenincidentallyby someone who had supposedly retiredbut has shown us all what it means to cultivate a lifelong capacity for learning, creativity, and renewal.

The Hebrew College Arts Initiative, chaired by Trustee Deborah Feinstein, seeks to partner with different areas of the college and focus on bridging the academy and the community through the gallery exhibits and lunch-and-learn conversations. This fall, in the Seeing Torah gallery, Hebrew College will host a series of alumni-led public conversations, all from 1:15-2 p.m.: Oct.4 with Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal; Oct.26 with Rabbi Allison Poirier; and Nov.17 with Rav-Hazzan Aliza Berger.

As part of the centennial celebration, Hebrew College will also hold other special events, including a November groundbreaking of its new shared-campus, a winter day of learning and a Centennial Gala on June 2, 2022.

Hebrew College is also offering a Special Centennial Lecture Seriesadult learning course, The Old Made New and the New Made Holy: Leading Scholars & Thinkers Reflect on a Century of Jewish Experience andExplore the Challenges That Lie Ahead, taught by leading scholars and rabbis, including Rabbi Sharon CohenAnisfeld(Hebrew College); Rabbi AngelaBuchdahl(Central Synagogue, NY); Rabbi David Ellenson(Hebrew Union College); Rabbi Arthur Green(Hebrew College); Rabbi Shai Held(Hadar); Rabbi Benay Lappe(SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva); and Jonathan Sarna, PhD(Brandies University).

Anita, your work gives exquisite expression to this abiding truth.You have enlarged and expanded our understanding of Torahby sharing so generously your own creative encounter with the text,Anisfeldsaid at the art exhibit opening. In this moment, what a blessing to experience the gift of beauty, of color and texture and an artists hand reaching out, connecting us all with stories and texts that are timeless and striving to touch that which is transcendent.

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Hebrew Colleges Centennial kicks off with Torah-inspired art exhibit - Wicked Local

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