Gallery of Design opens Judaica exhibit

“Tevet to Av: Celebrating Contemporary Judaica” will be on view in the Gallery of Design through March 8.

This exhibition offers a selected group of finely crafted Judaica or Jewish ceremonial objects created by contemporary artists. Tevet to Av, meaning January to July in Hebrew, refers to spring rituals including Passover, Purim, Shabat and weddings, which use and display these objects as part of the celebration.

The tradition of creating Judaica has been carried on by artists for thousands of years and continues today. Individuals and synagogues collect contemporary Judaica for use in private ceremonies in the home and for community observances.

As one participant in the exhibition, Department of Art professor Fred Fenster, says, “These objects are made to enhance the religious experience and to bring visual joy and tactile pleasure in their use.”

This national invitational exhibit will show a variety of objects including wedding, kiddush, Elijah and Miriam cups, spice and tzedakah boxes, mezuzahs and Seder sets.

The display features 22 artists and more than 60 pieces that include glass, ceramics, fiber, beadwork, metals, enameling, wood and mixed-media.

Guest curator Judy Sidran says her goal is to present the current state in the continued Jewish tradition of creating sacred objects.

The selected works reflect and strengthen the connections between a rich cultural legacy and contemporary Jewish life by bringing ancient ceremonies and celebrations to life in a personal way. The range of thought, expression, creativity and talent of artists from around the country is exceptional.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Laura Kruger, chair of the Gallery Advisory Committee of Hebrew Union College in New York City, will give a public lecture, “Jewish Ceremonial Objects: An Expression of Tradition” Sunday, Feb. 11, at 1:30 p.m. in 70 Human Ecology. A reception will follow in the gallery, 2:30-4 p.m.