JAI Events Archive
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Jewish Ritual • Rethinking, Renewed
December 27, 2010 - 10:00
Reception: Sunday, 2-4 p.m., January 16, 2011 Finegood Gallery at Jewish Federation Valley Alliance 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, CA, 91307
Participating JAI Artists: Laurie Gross, Eileen Levinson, Kingsley, Doni Silver Simons, Ruth Snyder, Bill Aron, Benny Ferdman, Kate McKinney, Carol Es, Erella Teitler, Carol Goldmark, Victor Raphael, and Laurel Paley
Curator: Georgia Freedman-Harvey, JAI Affiliate Member |
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December JAI Artist Beit Midrash Meeting
December 19, 2010 - 14:00
POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY - Thank You December 19, 2010 Westside JCC, 5780 W. Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90036 2 - 4 p.m. Our guest speaker will be rabbinical student Ilana Schachter PLEASE RSVP to Anne: amhromadka@msn.com
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November JAI Artist Beit Midrash Meeting
November 21, 2010 - 14:00
November 21, 2010 Westside JCC, 5780 W. Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90036 2 - 4 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Rabbi Glenn Ettman PLEASE RSVP to Anne: amhromadka@msn.com |
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Memory and Transformation • A Presentation of JAI and Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion/LA
November 17, 2010 - 18:30
The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion/Los Angeles (HUC-JIR/LA) are pleased to present Memory and Transformation. JAI members were encouraged to submit artwork for inclusion and thirty-three artists were selected to participate in this exhibition. The artist’s reception on November 17, 2010 is free and open to the public.
JAI’s exhibition programming aligns closely with our mission and vision as an organization committed to fostering visual art by Jewish artists and promoting dialogue about Jewish identity and related issues among members of the arts community and the community at large. JAI is the recipient of a Cutting Edge Grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. The Foundation’s generous support insures that JAI can offer diverse exhibitions and programming opportunities such as the Memory and Transformation exhibition. Memory as defined by guest curator, Donna Stein is, “a person’s ability to store, retain and recall information. The genius of memory is that it is choosy, chancy and temperamental. Memories are not carved in stone, but tend to become erased, changed or, as time goes by, transformed by the incorporation of new experiences and perceptions. Memory is what makes our lives. It is our coherence, our reason, our feeling, even our action. “Without it,” Luis Buñuel observed, “we are nothing.”
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion/LA 3077 University Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90007
September 30 - December 31, 2010
Artist’s Reception: Wednesday, November 17, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (free) 7:00 p.m. Remarks by Donna Stein, Guest Curator RSVP: (213) 765-2106 or dsauerwald@huc.edu
View Photos of this Special Event
Memory and Transformation will include works by Melinda Smith Altshuler, Bill Aron, Madeleine Avirov, Pat Berger, Elizabeth Bloom, Terry Braunstein, Jean Edelstein, Sam Erenberg, Benny Ferdman, Bruria Finkel, Max Finkelstein, Simone Gad, Shelley Gazin, Carol Goldmark, Baila Goldenthal, Bonita Helmer, Gilah Yelin Hirsch, Kathryn Jacobi, Marcie Kaufman, Karen Koblitz, Nancy Goodman Lawrence, Eileen Levinson, Laurel Paley, Victor Raphael, Yoella Razili, Elena Mary Siff, Doni Silver Simons, Ruth Snyder, Debra Sokolow, Erella Teitler, Ruth Weisberg, Eugene Yelchin and Harriet Zeitlin.
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Exchange 2010/2011: Maya Zack/November 7-14
November 7, 2010 - 09:00
The Jewish Artists Initiative of Southern California in partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, the Israeli Consulate, the Jewish Federation’s TA/LA Partnership, and others present: Exchange 2010/2011:
Welcome MAYA ZACK • November 7-14, 2010 Schedule of Events
VIEW PHOTOS OF THIS SPECIAL EVENT
2000 Bezalel graduate Maya Zack already boasts an impressive filmography and catalog of worldwide film screenings, solo exhibitions, and awards. A frequent lecturer at Bezalel Academy and the Tel Aviv University Department of Film and Television, Zack is currently best known for her award-winning short film ‘Mother Economy’. This masterful twenty-minute work, selected from 500 submissions as the winner of the Celeste Art Prize during the 2008 Berlin Video Art Festival, is a contemporary exploration of issues of Jewish identity, cultural memory, and emotions.
In the fall of 2009, The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) of Southern California launched a major expansion of its programming generously funded by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. The artist in residency program establishes cultural bridges and expands the discourse between Jewish artists from Los Angeles and Israel. These conversations include the exploration of Jewish identity as experienced by both American and Israeli artists.
Maya Zack's residency has concluded, and we are excited to share that her 8 day residency in Los Angeles was very successful. Over 250 people attended the various events held for Zack during her stay. By acting as a cultural ambassador, Zack provided participants with a positive, firsthand experience of Israeli ethos and established a greater awareness of the variety and range of contemporary Israeli art. Members of our community were provided many opportunities to interact with Zack on both a personal and professional level. Programming included many artist talks, informal gatherings, and a Shabbat dinner. There were four public and three private events that included screening Zack's film Mother Economy and a presentation of new works of art. In addition, Zack met with several JAI artist members and many key Los Angeles arts professionals (gallerists and curators). Each of these events was designed to expose the Los Angeles community to contemporary Israeli culture as expressed through video and fine arts. JAI and the Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity (CJCC) co-sponsored this exchange. Capitalizing on Zack's emerging artist status, together with the CJCC, we applied for a young adult micro-grant from the Jewish Federation's NextGen Program. We received the requested funds. JAI and the CJCC are grateful for the support of the Jewish Federation's NEI Program. We believe much of the success of this residency is a direct result of the NextGen Micro Grant and the continued support of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles.
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October JAI Artist Beit Midrash Meeting
October 17, 2010 - 14:00
October 17, 2010 Westside JCC, 5780 W. Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90036 2 - 4 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Rabbi Jonathan Klein PLEASE RSVP to Anne: amhromadka@msn.com
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JAI All-Member Meeting
October 4, 2010 - 18:30
Monday, October 4, 2010
Location: Harriet Zeitlin Residence 202 S. Saltair Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90049
Potluck begins at 6:30 p.m. First Names: A-H: side dish, I-M: main dish, N-Z: dessert
Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.
JAI will be producing a catalog as part of our 2008 Cutting Edge Grant. We are using the publication as an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come. To jump start this process, we are asking all members to bring photographs, publicity materials and any other documentation of their favorite memories from past JAI events to our 10.4.10 all-member meeting. Come share your favorite JAI moment and learn more about this exciting publication. If you are unable to attend this meeting but would still like to contribute your favorite JAI photograph or story to this important catalog, please email Anne at amhromadka@msn.com |
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September JAI Artist Beit Midrash Meeting
September 12, 2010 - 14:00
September 12, 2010 Westside JCC, 5780 W. Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90036 2 - 4 p.m. Our guest speaker will be rabbinical student Heath Watenmaker PLEASE RSVP to Anne: amhromadka@msn.com
We encourage members of the JAI Artist Beit Midrash Group to submit work for the exhibition to be held at the American Jewish University, Platt/Borstein Galleries. We have changed the submission criteria to facilitate your participation. Submissions of any work, new and/or old that addresses the broad theme, Yetzer HaRa/Yetzer Tov, Good Inclination/Evil Inclination will be welcomed. Please email Anne Hromadka your submission by this Sunday, September 12, 2010.
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August JAI Artist Beit Midrash Meeting
August 15, 2010 - 14:00
Sunday, August 15, 2010 Westside JCC, 5780 W. Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90036 2 - 4 p.m. PLEASE RSVP to Anne: amhromadka@msn.com
Guest Speaker: HUC-JIR/LA Rabbinical Student Suzy Stone Stone will be leading participants in an art making workshop. This session is not to be missed!
She worked in several different non-profits including SEIU (Service Employees International Union) and the Jewish Labor Committee of New England. After organizing for a several years, she switched fields and worked as an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language) because of her enthusiasm for language and her love for education. Inspired by the transformation of the Reform Movement in Boston, she decided to pursue rabbinical school as a way to combine her passion for Tikkun Olam/repairing the world and Tikkun HaNefesh/repairing the soul. Before starting rabbinical school in 2007, she also worked at Temple Chai in Phoenix, AZ. Suzy Stone is a fourth year rabbinical student at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles and a Wexner Graduate Fellow. She is currently working as a rabbinic intern doing community organizing at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles, CA.
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June JAI Artist Beit Midrash Meeting
June 27, 2010 - 14:00
We are Pleased to Announce our Guest Rabbi will be Rabbi Lindy Reznick Davidson Sunday, June 27, 2010 Westside JCC | 5780 W. Olympic Blvd., LA, CA 90036 2-4 pm
Rabbi Lindy Reznick initially studied Theater and Dance at UC Santa Cruz. Lindy was a trained ballerina and modern dancer. After completing her undergraduate degree she moved to Israel for two years where she participated in Project Otzma and then worked as the first JCSC Fellow for Hillel at Tel-Aviv University. Upon returning to Los Angeles, she went on to earn an M.A. in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College paired with an M.A. of Public Art Studies from USC, receiving the Spinner Avoda Fellowship to bring her "public art" work to the Jewish community. Rabbi Reznick Davidson was ordained by HUC-JIR, Los Angeles, this past May. Rabbi Reznick Davidson finds joy in connecting others with their creativity as they explore Jewish text and tradition.
Next month: JAI Artist Beit Midrash: July 18, 2010, location and time TBA And in August, on the 15th, location and time TBA
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JAI Artist Beit Midrash Series
May 16, 2010 - 14:00
JAI Artist Beit Midrash sessions are held on the third Sunday of every month. Save the dates for our May, June, and July events:
Come to this Sunday's session and learn with Rabbi Hanien. Rabbi Arielle Hanien A creative Jewish educator with nearly two decades of experience teaching in formal and informal settings, Rabbi Hanien is passionate about supporting individuals and communities on their Jewish journeys and empowering learners of all ages to deepen their understanding and experience of their Jewish heritage. A social activist, Rabbi Hanien was recognized by Elie Wiesel for her writing in Ethics in 2001 and for her outstanding promise as a Jewish Educational Leader in 2009. A participant in the Day School Leadership Training Institute, she is engaged in efforts to improve Jewish education globally. She and her husband Nir are delighted to be members of the TBS community.
Sunday, June 20, 2010, location and time TBD Sunday, July 18, 2010, location and time TBD
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Benita's Bike's DANCEART in Concert
April 10, 2010 - 20:00
Benita's Bike's DANCEART in Concert with Guest Artists Laurie Cameron & Company
Premiering Benita Bike's new dance Aliens with fantastic costuming by Kiyomi Hara and featuring JAI affiliate member Kim Newstadt
Saturday, April 10th, 8 p.m.
The Assistance League Playhouse 1367 N. St. Andrews Place, Hollywood, CA 90028 (free secure parking) (818) 353-5734
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Orit Hofshi: Between the lines • a Series of Conversations and Interactions with the Noted Israeli Printmaker
March 22, 2010 - 12:00
Orit Hofshi: Between the lines George Billis Gallery-LA | March 22 - April 10, 2010
UPDATE: Our time spent together with Orit Hofshi, JAI's Artist in Residence was a resounding success. Click here to review the program and view photos of the artist at various events during our time together generously supported by our Cutting Edge Grant to JAI from the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation as well as the LA/Tel Aviv Partnership and the Israeli Consulate.
The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) of Southern California is pleased to announce Israeli artist Orit Hofshi's two-week residency in Los Angeles. Hofshi's residency will include her West Coast debut at the George Billis Gallery in the Culver City Arts District along with various community events, guest lecture opportunities, and hands-on-workshops. She will also be creating new work in conjunction with Self-Help Graphics & Art. Orit Hofshi's residency is made possible with the generous support of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, the Israeli Consulate, the Jewish Federation's TA/LA Partnership, and the George Billis Gallery-LA. In the fall of 2009, the Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) of Southern California launched a major expansion of its programming The Quest for Transformational Jewish Art generously funded by a Cutting Edge Grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. This program establishes cultural bridges and expands the discourse between Jewish artists from Los Angeles and Israel. This exploration includes aspects of Jewish identity as experienced by both American and Israeli artists. Orit Horshi's residency is part of this initiative. Please see below for event details and please RSVP for all events to Anne Hromadka: amhromadka@msn.com
Exhibition details: Orit Hofshi: Between the lines Where: George Billis Gallery- LA 2716 South La Cienega Blvd| Los Angeles | CA | 90034 Dates: March 22 - April 10, 2010 Featuring: Orit Hofshi Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm (FREE)
Orit Hofshi: Interactions and Conversations Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm (FREE) Co-hosted by The Israeli Consulate, the Jewish Federation's TA/LA Partnership Where: George Billis Gallery-LA 7:30 Artist Talk
Thursday, March 25, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm JAI All Member Meeting (Potluck) Where: Studio and Home of JAI Member Gilah Hirsch 2412 Oakwood Ave. Venice, CA 90291 310-243-3966 6:30 Dinner 7:00 Meeting Begins
Sunday, March 28, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm (FREE) Young Adult Event Where: George Billis Gallery-LA 5:00 Wine Reception 6:00 Gallery Walk-Through and Artist Talk
Friday, April 2, 4:00- 6:00 pm Los Angeles Printmaking Society Reception Honoring Orit Hofshi Where: George Billis Gallery-LA 4:30 Gallery Walk-Through and Artist Talk
Hofshi is best known for her extremely large-scale woodcuts that achieve grandeur while retaining an intimate quality. Many of her prints range from six feet to upwards of twenty feet. She uses standard-size sheets of pine to create a matrix of horizontal and vertical panels. The work is extremely intricate, and draws the viewer in to closely explore the surface. Hofshi was educated at the Wizo College of Design in Israel, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Leeds University in Leeds, England. She currently lives and works in Herziliya, Israel. She has received numerous awards for her work including the Prize for Outstanding Quality in Contemporary Israeli Art, from the Ministry of Science and Culture, Israel, in 2006, the 2005 Art on Paper Award from The Print Center, Philadelphia and a residency from the Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Ballycastle, Ireland. Hofshi has exhibited at The Print Center, Philadelphia, the Israel Museum, the Herziliya Museum of Art, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Royal Academy of Arts, London and most recently in Philagrafika at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Museum. Her work is found in over fifteen permanent collections including the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Israel Museum, and the Philadelphia University of Textiles. Hofshi's artwork will be on display at George Billis Gallery from March 22 - April 10, 2010. |
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March JAI Artist Beit Midrash
March 21, 2010 - 09:30
When: Sunday, March 21, 2010 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Where: Westside JCC/Founder's Room
5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Rabbi Denise Eger will be our guest speaker and she will lead a discussion sharing more traditional rabbinic sources connected to our theme of Yetzer Tov/Yetzer HaRah (Good Inclinations/Bad Inclinations).
Rabbi Eger holds a B.A. in Religion from the University of Southern California. She received her Masters Degree from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion and was ordained at the New York campus in 1988. She has worked in congregations with people of all ages, families and individuals, and has done extensive work with people with AIDS. Rabbi Eger is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. She has served on numerous Rabbinic boards and organizations. Rabbi Eger has published extensively on human sexuality, interfaith dialogue and human rights and has appeared on television and radio as an expert in these areas. An accomplished educator, and a dedicated spiritual and community leader, Rabbi Eger has been at the forefront of building new and more accessible Jewish communities.
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JAI is Pleased to Support the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the HOPE CONCERT, March 20th and 21st
March 20, 2010 - 20:00
Experience the evocative power of Daniel Hope's "astonishingly beautiful playing" (The Birmingham Mail) in a concert that pays tribute to three great artists whose music was suppressed by the Nazi regime. Inspired by the historical and personal significance this program holds for both Daniel Hope and LACO music director Jeffrey Kahane, this performance celebrates the power of art to transcend adversity.
Saturday, March 20 @ 8 pm Alex Theatre, Glendale and Sunday, March 21 @ 7 pm Royce Hall, UCLA
Jeffrey Kahane conductor & piano Daniel Hope violin
Schulhoff Double Concerto for Violin and Piano - arranged by Daniel Hope from the original for flute and piano Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (original 1844 version) Weill Symphony No. 2 Discounts available for groups, students and seniors. Tickets: $100, 85, 50, 18 Buy tickets online or call (213) 622-7001 x215
Call for details about our post-concert young professionals' mixer, with FREE appetizers.
More info about the concert can be found here: http://www.laco.org/
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February JAI Artist Beit Midrash
February 21, 2010 - 14:00
When: Sunday, February 21, 2010 Time: 2-4 pm Where: Westside JCC
Rabbi William Cutter, Ph.D. will be our guest speaker and he will lead a discussion on the Kabbalistic meaning of Yetzer Tov/Yetzer HaRah (Good Inclinations/Bad Inclinations). Rabbi Cutter is the Steinberg Emeritus Professor of Human Relations at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he held the Paul and Trudy Steinberg Chair in Human Relations, and was Professor of Modern Hebrew Literature and Education. He has taught at HUC-JIR since 1965, and has served in several administrative capacities throughout his academic career including:
Assistant Dean, 1965-1970 Founding Director of the Rhea Hirsch School of Education, 1971-1981 Director of the Louchheim School of Judaic Studies, 1973-1979 Co Director and Co Founder (with Nancy M. Berman) of the Museum Education Program (MUSE) of the Skirball Museum, the precursor to the Skirball Cultural Center of HUC-JIR, 1977-1980) Founding Director of the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health, 1999-2007 Dr. Cutter has published over 50 scholarly articles and essays, and over 100 popular articles on literature, health and healing, and Jewish education. He has edited or served on the editorial committee for more than 40 books for the prominent publisher Berhman House Books. His most recent publication is Healing and the Jewish Imagination: Spiritual and Practical Perspectives on Judaism and Health (2/07, Jewish Lights Publishing). A second volume is currently being prepared. He is also editor of the Festschrift: History and Literature, essays in honor of Arnold Band (Scholars Press); and the editor of The Mourner's Handbook (Behrman House Books). He is academic chairman for the Association of Reform Zionists (ARZA).
For more information on Rabbi William Cutter click here.
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Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Suzy Stone grew up in the Reform Movement but took a somewhat non-traditional route to rabbinical school. After receiving her B.A from Brandeis University in History and Sociology in 2002, she went to work as a labor and community organizer in Boston. 
