Out of the Narrows, the haggadah produced in 2021 by the Jewish Artists Collective Chicago (JACC), is highlighted in an exhibition of contemporary art interpreting the text recited at the Passover seder (festive meal). Referencing the Hebrew word for Egypt, mitzrayim, which means “the narrow place,” Out of the Narrows was motivated by the artists’ responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, in full force during Passover 2020. They asked, “How does art make sense of the Passover story? How can art reflect on the plagues of disease, death, and injustice that still exist? How do we praise God when the world is broken, and millions continue to suffer?”
Artists (Jewish Art Salon artists in bold): Susan Dickman, Dorit Jordan Dotan, Berit Engen, Jonathan Franklin, Alan Hobscheid, Ellen Holtzblatt, Judith Joseph, Carol Neiger, Amy Reichert, Beth Shadur, Jane Weintraub.
Current NYC exhibit of artwork from Out of the Narrows:
Dr. Bernard Heller Museum: January 8, 2024-May 23, 2024
Special viewing and artist talk Sunday, April 14
Bagel brunch at 10 a.m. Program at 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
In collaboration with the Harry Friedman Society.
Besides artworks from Out of the Narrow, the exhibition features three paintings by Archie Rand from his Had Gadya series, depicting the song that recounts how one little goat is the catalyst for a chain of events whose ripples extend to heaven. It also presents several examples of 20th- and 21st-century American haggadot, ranging in styles from modern illuminated manuscript, Israeli folk art, graphic novel, to contemporary abstraction and incorporating Holocaust remembrance, Jewish feminist expression, and human rights activism.
HUC / Heller Museum
One West Fourth Street (between Broadway and Mercer Street), New York, NY
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 6:30 pm Admission Free
Download Information Sheet about Out of the Narrows
Order Your Passover Haggadah Today and Immerse Yourself in a Visual Journey
Past Exhibits of Artwork from Out of the Narrows:
The Rissman Kol Ami Collection: March 21-July 11, 2022, Highland Park, IL
Shainberg Art Gallery: March 13, 2022, Memphis, TN
Offon Art Gallery: April 17, 2022, Indianapolis, IN
Janice Charach Gallery: Fall 2022, Detroit, MI
Dr. Bernard Heller Museum: 2024, Hebrew Union College, New York, NY
Terrific Haggadah Created By Contemporary ArtistsThis is part of the Passover 5781/2021 Haggadah Roundup.
What a terrific Haggadah created by contemporary artists. The art is beautiful, and an inspired interpretation of the Haggadah text. What I love best about this Haggadah is its overall conceptualization of the artists’ contributions as visual midrash. The artists, using a variety of media, weave the collective story of the Exodus with their own stories in ways that are both deeply universal and deeply personal. I love the artists’ statements that go with each of the illustrations, which are moving, perceptive, and make it clear and powerful how their works are inspired by and interpret the parts of Passover story. I would imagine that the process of making the art and putting it together for the Haggadah must have been a powerful experience. I love also that this is a very contemporary and timely (the shadow of Covid-19 is palpable in the texts and sub-text of this Haggadah) contribution to the long tradition of Jewish illuminated Haggadot. Love this!
Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus
Rabbi and Professor of Religion at Wheaton College Massachusetts
Why is this Haggadah different from all others? There is a well-known Jewish concept of Hiddur Mitzvah literally, ‘beautifying the mitzvah. The tradition of putting extra time, style, or resources into a mitzvah so that it is performed as beautifully as possible. Passover is already a beautiful Mitzvah when we gather around the table, eat delicious food and retell and reenact an amazing freedom story. Our artists Haggadah from the Artist Collective of Chicago makes any Seder table even more beautiful. The powerful art from these amazing artists adds an even deeper meaning and level into the Seder experience. Just stopping to look at the pictures enables your mind to wander and your spirit to soar. It raises questions and provides answers. No matter if you are a wise art critic, a simple one, a wicked one or if you don’t even like art….this Haggadah will stir your soul. Adding this Haggadah to your collection will certainly beautify the mitzvah.
Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein
Am Shalom, Glencoe, Illinois
I am a Cantor. My greatest joy is to join my voice with others in prayer, celebration and gratitude. During these many months of remote communication, I have longed for the harmonies and shared voices of others around the Shabbat and Pesach table. The visual feast and stunning reflections from the artists who contributed to Out of the Narrows not only tells the story of our people’s redemption; it also provides sweet relief and respite from the loneliness of not being able to gather with loved ones and community as we so wish to do. For this, my community and I offer our sincere love and gratitude. Thank you, thank you; and Kol HaKavod!
Cantor Julie Yugend-GreenOak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion
“The Artist’s Haggadah is not only a modern version of a timeless book and a labor of love by creative, talented, committed and knowledgeable Jewish artists, but, it is also a compendium of wonderful artwork, in three genres, sculpture, painting and weaving, joined with stories from the Exodus, which resonate with us today. The texts added to the artwork by these dedicated and thoughtful artists makes this Haggadah a ‘must have’ for your Haggadah collection, or one that you will cherish and enjoy using each Pesach for many years.”
Marc N. Blumenthal
For years, our family has sought the “perfect” Haggadah to help us celebrate the joys of Passover. I believe the Jewish Artists Collective Chicago version fits the bill. In a family of mixed religions, we have sometimes struggled to bring forth with succinctness and clarity the inspiring details of the Israelites’ flight from Egypt. The goal has always been to tell the story and revel in the many intriguing symbols of the evening without getting so bogged down in minutiae that the message of hope and liberation is lost. This Haggadah, accented so beautifully with its magnificent original artwork, allows us to do that by telling the story in Hebrew and English with a free flowing and easy to navigate style. Without question our family has embraced this Haggadah and will use it in the years to come.
Thomas A. Hennick, Durham, Connecticut, Public Education Officer, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut