Gallery Hall - Temple Sinai

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Marcia Birken
The Walled City, 2024
Fiber

This art quilt is an original design created with raw-edge applique, thread painting, overlays of tulle, and free-motion quilting.  The scene is an interpretation of the many photographs I have taken of the Old City of Jerusalem during multiple visits to Israel. The technique used to create the city houses is based on the work of Karen Eckmeier.

Spotlight on Marcia Birken

Sylvia Ball
Harmony 
Watercolor painting 

I started painting in oil, then did collage, and went to watercolor. This painting reflects my love of oriental art, it is so simple and beautiful!  

Artist's Message: I have been painting for over 40 years, taking classes and going to conventions. I started out in oil, then did collage for a while. I joined the Genesee Valley Calligraphy Guild in the 80’s, and from there, I moved onto watercolor, which is what I love to do! I paint with a group every Wednesday in Brighton. I am a member of The Pittsford Art Group and have won several awards. This painting reflects my love of oriental art. I took classes from Alice Chen, a well-known Rochester Chinese artist.

Judy Livingston

Shown from February to March: 

Proverbs 22:6, 2019
Laser engraved archival print                                          

Leviticus 19:14, 2019
Laser engraved archival print

Shown from March to April:

Deuteronomy 6:18, 2019
Laser engraved archival print  

Pirkei Avot 4:20, 2019
Laser engraved archival print









These quotes from ancient Hebrew texts embrace core tenets of social justice. The typographic illustrations are part of my advocacy initiative: Start with Yes: Creating Inclusive B’nai Mitzvah Ceremonies. The goal of the campaign is to change the inclusion landscape of the Jewish community for the better.

The typographic illustrations are part of my advocacy initiative: Start with Yes: Creating Inclusive B’nai Mitzvah Ceremonies. The initiative includes a website, StartwithYES.org, which is an online resource for Jewish families caring for children with special needs. These families, for a variety of reasons, may feel that a bar, bat, or b’nai mitzvah is out of reach.

The website is a compilation of inclusive b’nai mitzvah success stories, proven ideas, and helpful resources. All of these are intended to encourage these families to have meaningful b’nai mitzvah experiences. The goal is to open the door wider for participation in the Jewish community and Jewish ritual life. 

The typographic illustration was composed digitally in Adobe Illustrator and then engraved/drawn onto paper with the flame of a computer-operated laser. 

judy@startwithYES.org | startwithYES.org

Sandy Messing
Tikkun Olam (Repair the World), 2024
Shalom Around the Globe, 2023
Shalom Wreath, 2023
Black/White/Gold Shalom, 2024
Pen and ink

All four pieces represent the Zentangle art form of abstract drawing using structured patterns (called tangles) to create mindful designs.

From Keuka Tangles:

What is Zentangle

Zentangle is an American form of abstract art using structured patterns - called tangles - consisting of combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves, and orbs. These simple shapes are the "elemental strokes" in all Zentangle art. This art form was created by a monk named Rick Roberts and an artist named Maria Thomas. It teaches and focuses on being mindful and present.

Zentangle vs. Doodling

Doodling is done out of mindlessness and boredom (most notably on the margins in one's class notes). Most times, the doodles are not what one has planned to do. 

Zentangle is focused on creating a specific pattern design using mindfulness (you are purposely drawing something) so that you do not think of anything else.

Luda Miriam Shulman
Ani ledodi vedodi li, 2023
Glass-like acrylic print of an original multimedia work in acrylic, oil paint, and gold leaf

Pomegranate seeds symbolize 613 mitzvot and the fruit is one of seven species of the land of Israel - שִׁבְעַת הַמִינִים, Shiv'at HaMinim.   King Solomon in Song of Songs wrote: "I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me" related to the acronym of the month of Elul: "Ani ledodi vedodi li." Elul is a month when we get closer to our Creator and prepare for Rosh HaShana."

Jill Paperno
Tzfat, 2024
Oil

I was one of the participants in a Temple Sinai visit to Israel. We spent an afternoon in Tzfat (Safed), known for its artists and spiritual and mystical history.

Jan Feldman
Woodstock
Mixed media

This glorious floral-nature and poetry-themed 2-sided painted sculpture consists of repurposed wood and wrought iron with metal and wire embellishments. Reflecting the ethos of the Woodstock '69 era, the artwork features the lyrics of Joni Mitchell's iconic song "We are stardust, we are golden..." on the front.

Original, one-of-a-kind, sturdy and heavy weight, consists of wood and wrought iron, with metal and wire embellishments. This glorious floral-nature and poetry-themed 2-sided painted sculpture may be hung directly on a wall, or between two rooms, in front of a window, suspended by chains from attached eye hooks. It may be hung vertically or horizontally. This hand-painted repurposed wood/metal piece is hand-painted in vivid shades of pink, purple, green, verdigris, black & white and sealed with a protective finish for indoor/outdoor patio or porch use. Reflecting the ethos of the Woodstock '69 era, the artwork features the lyrics of Joni Mitchell's iconic song "We are stardust, we are golden..." on the front. This unique OOAK piece is embellished with added dimensions: dangling art jewelry, custom-made wires, and mini sculptures of the sun and moon.

Title of Artwork: For Everything There Is a Season
Edition: 61/500

Artist: Sivia Katz

Physical Qualities: Watercolor Mosaic

Original Utility: Ketubah

Provence: The tree, a symbol of sustenance, growth, family and tradition is shown here in each season of the year. The quote from Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven" unifies the theme. The domains of sky, earth and water are represented in this watercolor mosaic.

Honors: in honor of Vision Sinai

Title: Priestly Blessing

Edition: 107/120

Artist: Miriam Juliano

Title: Beyond the Visible

Edition: 46/180

Artist: Yaacov Agam

Date Created: 1981

Date Acquired: October 27, 2022

Physical Qualities: Silk Screen 31.5" x 27" Done in OpArt style. It is a 2D grid made up of geometric and colorful shapes which run vertically and horizontally. The result is a rhythmic piece that appears 3D.

Provence: Yaacov Agam was born in 1928 in Israel. He studied at the Bezalel School of Art in Jerusalem. He was interested in capturing movement on a two-dimensional surface.

Title: Challah with Tea

Edition: 5/25

Artist: Alan Levin

Provence: This piece was selected by the Fraum Family in memory of Bernice Fraum, a dedicated mother and grandmother.

Title: Night of Redemption

Edition: 280/285

Artist: Shalom Moskovitz

Physical Qualities: Lithograph in colors on woven paper 29 7/8 × 22 in | 75.9 × 55.9 cm

Provence: Shalom Moskovitz c. 1887 – 1980 was a Hasidic Jewish painter in Safed, Israel

Title: Shirim La'ad - Martha Rock Birnbaum

Date Created: 1993

Original Utility: Album Cover

Provence: Martha Rock Birnbaum - Former Cantorial Soloist at Temple Sinai. She put out an album along with Barbara Dechario on the harp. If you would like to listen to this beautiful album, it is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Title: Chabad Street Old City Jerusalem

Artist: Udi Merioz

Date created: 1970

Physical Qualities: Oil on canvas

Honors: Donated by Victor Poleshuck and Family in memory of their wife, mother, and grandmother, Joyce.

Title: Hadlakas Neiros/Shabbat Blessing

Artist: Rabbi Yonah Weinrib

Physical Qualities: Illuminated blessing of the shabbat candles

Provence: Rabbi Yonah Weinrib specializes in elaborate manuscript illumination, combining a wide array of art techniques and media to enhance his exacting calligraphy. Click here to watch an interview with Rabbi Weinrib by Inside Artscroll.

Title: Man with Shofar

Artist: Rose Foley

Date Created: 1972

Title: Composition in Dark Blue

Edition: Avdoll 25/100

Artist: Mordecai Ardon

Date Created: 1966

Physical Qualities: Etching & Aquatint. 80×57 cm

Provence: Ardon’s mysterious and abstract landscapes are a game of low and high, land and sky, mountains and clouds. The dark clouded skies echo in the spotty and abstract land, as if they are casting a shadow on the hilly ground.

Title: Reading Torah with Yad

Physical Qualities: Photograph of a hand holding a yad reading torah

Title: On Being Joel Bloom

Artist: Jamie Columbus

Date Created: 1997

Date Acquired: 1997

Provence: Underwritten by Temple Sinai Joel Bloom Memorial Fund. Joel Bloom (z''l) was the Cantorial Soloist at Temple Sinai from 1987-1996.

Honors: In memory of Joel Bloom

Title: Every Soul Was Present

Artist: Donald Irwin

Date Created: 1990

Physical Qualities: Painting of hands reaching up towards the Ten Commandments

Provence: This art piece is a part of Irwin's Kaballah Series.

Title: Our Building For Our Future

Created: 1998

Physical Qualities: Silk Tallit with embroidery

Title: Music, Midrash, and Mitzvah Women of the Bima

Artists: Carol Goldsmith and Marie Lauriello-Klein

Date Created: Spring 2013

Physical Qualities: Shadow box with 3 tambourines of different sizes. A drape of turquoise cloth runs diagonally across. Two metal plates give the title and year of dedication and two paper cards give dedication names and scripture.

Provence: It was created to honor Rabbi Sapowith and Elise Wojciechowski as women of our Bima. However it was further meant to honor all women in their roles in the bible and Judaism Carol and Marie chose tambourines thinking of Miriam and how she showed her joy and leadership by dancing, singing, and playing the tambourine after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

Title: The Megillah

Provence: Framed by Feika Chicago

Title: The Feasts of Israel

Artist: Bracha Lavee

Physical Qualities: 9 painted scenes with Hebrew words to Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heavens."

Title: Ecclesiastes 6:30 Song of Songs

Physical Qualities: Calligraphy of the phrase “Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li” which translates to "I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine."

Title: Wedding

Edition: 54/175

Artist: Lynne Feldman

Physical Qualities: Print of a wedding scene with rich jewel tone colors adorning the chuppah and guests. An article on Lynne Feldman is included in the April 2024 Bulletin.

Title: Song of Songs

Edition: 489/500

Artist: Leon Azoulay

Physical Qualities: 4 flowers with a floral border

Title: Open My Heart to Your Torah

Artist: Lynne Avadenka

Date Created: 1996

Physical Qualities: Gold leaf Hebrew calligraphy on a dark blue background. Learn more about Lynne Avadenka here!

Title: The Burning Bush

Edition: 30/125

Artist: Elmer Louis

Date Acquired: 2005

Provence: Elmer Louis donated this piece to recognize Temple Sinai's participation in the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN). Interview with Elmer Louis.

Honors: In honor of Temple Sinai participating in RAIHN.