(Courtesy of JCC MetroWest) The Gaelen Gallery at JCC MetroWest will host “From Darkness to Light: Mosaics Inspired by Tragedy” from March 5 until April 30, 2023. The exhibit commemorates the 11 victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in 2018 which, at the time, was the largest and most devastating antisemitic event in U.S. history. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thereafter, Rabbi Paula Drill will speak at 1:30 p.m. on the topic of healing and the value of community to the healing process. There will be additional programming and docent-led tours for this important show, including a mosaics workshop on Sunday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will learn how to cut, glue and grout tiles, and each one will leave with a completed mosaic.
JCC MetroWest is located at 760 Northfield Avenue in West Orange, New Jersey. The gallery is open and available for public viewing during regular opening hours.
Having the mosaics reach out and address antisemitism is the primary mission of this exhibit. The mosaics promote community discussions and education and evoke themes ranging from antisemitism and injustice to hope, resilience and peace. The mosaic titles and artists, left to right, top to bottom include: “Everlasting” by Joan Schwartz, “Skyline of Pittsburgh” by Shelley Jaffe, “Student Mosaic” by Cincinnati-area high school students, and “Star of David” by Sandi Sikora.
Abby Schwartz, director of the Skirball Museum at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, the first venue for the exhibit, stated: “When a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue approached me about a mosaic project that was inspired by the events of October 27, 2018, my reaction to this collective artistic response to a visceral, violent attack was overwhelming. Brimming with color and creativity, the works by artists from around the world express themes of hope, resilience, and social justice in the face of the unthinkable.
“Art teaches. Art transcends. Art elevates. Art inspires. It is my hope that ‘From Darkness to Light’ will lead to conversation and action around the tough subjects of hate crimes, antisemitism, gun violence and injustice, so that love, justice and peace might prevail.”
For more information, please contact Lisa Suss, Gaelen Gallery director, at [email protected] or (973) 530-3413.
