Exploring Jewish Art and Identity: From Illuminated Manuscripts to Contemporary Expressions (In Person)

Join us as we explore how Jewish identity has been expressed through art across the ages. We’ll start with the intricate beauty of illuminated manuscripts, then dive into the vibrant works of Marc Chagall and Mark Rothko. We’ll also reflect on art created in response to the Holocaust, and look at how modern Israeli artists have used their craft to explore themes of nationhood and identity. Finally, we’ll turn our focus to contemporary Jewish art, exploring how today’s artists are engaging with tradition through a modern Jewish lens. Through a mix of visual exploration, discussion, and historical context, we’ll discover how Jewish art has shaped and reflected our evolving identity, memory, and culture.

This course follows a sequential structure, but anyone is welcome to join at any point, or to drop in to any class. If you have questions regarding participation, please contact the program leader.

Dates: April 14, 28, May 12, 19

Registration: This event is available in person. Please click the appropriate purple bar above to register.

This class is part of eLeMeNTs | Lishma: Monday Night Torah at the BEIT. Join us starting at 7:00 pm every Monday night for community connection, words of Torah, a dedication of learning, and a Kaddish opportunity before classes begin at 7:30.

eLeMeNTs courses this year are organized in two curricular tracks: “Wrestling with Big Questions” and “Exploring Jewish Identity.” You can take courses all within one track to explore related concepts from multiple angles, or jump from one track to another based on what courses intrigue you. This course is part of the “Exploring Jewish Identity” track: connect with Jewish Peoplehood across ages and cultures through text, language, and art.

Sponsored by the Beth Elohim Institute for Transformation (BEIT), which offers an integrated, multifaceted approach to exploring and applying Jewish teachings and tradition to our contemporary daily lives by bringing together learning, spiritual practice, caring, and action all under one roof