Jewish Art Salon invites you to our next live session of OPEN STUDIOS: Tzedek Boxes, on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 12PM ET.
The Tzedek Box, a new ritual object for gathering reflections about our efforts to improve the world, is the inspiration for 29 highly original works by contemporary artists on display at the Dr. Bernard Heller Museum at HUC-JIR/New York. This exhibition is on view through May 15, 2023.
Tzedek means justice; and working toward justice is a response to Judaism’s call: “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” (Deuteronomy 16:20)
Each work has a slot for inserting a written reflection on each effort made to help the world, whether through volunteering, philanthropy, advocacy, education, or other just acts. Each box opens so that notes can be retrieved one month after Passover on Yom Hatzedek, which is celebrated on Pesach Sheini, a Biblical holiday allowing for second chances. The goal on that day is to review the past year’s actions and dedicate oneself to do even more in the coming year.
The Heller Museum’s call to imagine a Tzedek Box has produced ingenious versions from contemporary artists from across America and around the world.
Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director of the Heller Museum, will take us through the works in the exhibit.
Our program will include Dr. Andrew Mandel, a 5th year rabbinical student at HUC-JIR, who came up with the idea of the idea of Yom Hatzedek and the Tzedek Box Project.
Dr. Mandel notes, “The artists in this exhibition have demonstrated that Judaism provides a remarkable diversity of visual metaphors with which to elevate the ritual of the Tzedek Box… Each piece represents a unique contribution to the age-old conversation about who we are, looking beyond ourselves, when we seek to do our part to repair the world.”
In addition to our featured speakers, several JAS artists will speak about their work: Tobi Kahn, Yona Verwer, Dorit Jordan Dotan, Judith Joseph, Marisa Baggett, Suzanne Horwitz and Tina Marcus.
The series is curated by Judith Joseph and Dorit Jordan Dotan. In addition , this program is produced with the support of Jewish Art Salon’s Program Advisor Yona Verwer, team members Cheselyn Amato and Chana Wiesenthal Elias and with the ongoing support of CANVAS.
Zoom info will be sent to our email list on the day of the event.
Register for the link here by subscribing to our email list.
Graphic by Dorit Jordan Dotan. Art by Judith Joseph and Dorit Jordan Dotan.
This program is made possible with generous support by CANVAS.
