ALEINU CLASS PHOTO EXHIBIT
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Seeing Congregation Beth Israel
Ritual Object Imagery
People Imagery
Biblical Garden Imagery
Architectural Imagery
"Seeing Congregation Beth Israel"
Bringing Meaning To Our Community With Digital Photography
Yes, Congregation Beth Israel has a biblical garden — the cactus seems to have a flame in the afternoon sunlight; there are buildings with details large and small; people, including clergy, school children, teachers, administrators, maintenance and guards and yes, us, as well; and there are ritual objects, Torah scrolls and yads and things tucked away in the Rabbis' and Cantor's offices. We know CBI has all these things, but how closely do we pay attention to them?
Not too long ago, Rabbi Lee Bycel gave a workshop at CBI, focusing on a particular thought of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a former Professor of Jewish Ethics and Mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. The workshop focused on the following comment by Heschel:
- The problem is not how to fill the buildings but how to inspire the hearts. . . . The problem is not one of synagogue attendance but one of spiritual attendance.
- The problem is not how to attract bodies to enter the space of a temple but how to inspire souls to enter an hour of spiritual concentration in the presence of God. The problem is time, not space.
The Insecurity of Freedom.
Heschel's idea was lifted from that afternoon workshop and crafted into an Aleinu class at CBI – a class ostensibly about digital photography. The class could have been about snapping pretty pictures and learning how to download them onto a computer and then editing them with digital software. Instead, the class became something more: The camera became a way of exploring CBI – to attend more closely to the 'what it is' that makes the time at this place special. Rather than having a yad marking the place in a Torah scroll, the camera could be a pointer to the world at CBI with the meanings that the picture takers saw. Torah would not be bound up on the parchment, but discovered all around us.
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The photos on display represent images that were culled from the four week class. Some of the images look like traditional photographs ― only taken with a digital camera; others have been recomposited in an image-editing program to find the more substantial meaning implicit in that photograph.
Many of the photographs are part of that two-tier adventure in image making: the pleasure of finding a subject with the right lighting in the right place and not moving too fast and also the added pleasure of working in the digital darkroom with the razzle-dazzle of image editing software.
The images in this exhibit were taken by the following members of the Aleinu Digital Photography Class:
- Janet Acheatel
- Julie Fox
- Gordon Glenn
- Harvey Helsel
- Michael Heinzman
- Marsha Janger
- Sally Nalven
- Joe Oppenheimer
- Sima Oppenheimer
- Steve Ritter
- The instructor for the class, Joe Nalven, included a picture as well.
Some meanings that the image-makers found in their images cross over several of the original subject matter, but can be placed with an emphasis in ritual object imagery, people imagery, Biblical garden imagery and people imagery.
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Shabbat Begins - Janet Acheatel |
Tik Scroll - Devoid of Hebrew, silver and felt, the photograph of the scroll, to me, presents a unique ancient quality, a feeling of history. Gordon Glenn |
Reflections - Reflecting God's presence. Marsha Janger |
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Tallitot - When I wrap myself in a tallit, I feel safe and secure. Sima Oppenheimer |
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Heart of Aleinu - Bonnie Graff is the heart of the Aleinu Committee. All attention is on her. The red patch of clothing, almost heart-shaped in the center of the photograph amplifies the point. Gordon Glenn |
Shabbat Piano - Julie Fox |
Scholars in Residence - Torah study inspires many of us to look deeper into the meaning of the text. As we read, question and discuss the weekly portion, we find many scholars within our group. Sally Nalven |
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Steps - As I walk up these steps, I leave the outside world behind and focus on my inner self. Sima Oppenheimer |
Joining the People of the Book - Walking into the CBI library, filled with a half-dozen girls, I was delighted that young Jews continue our tradition as the People of the Book. Joe Oppenheimer |
Girls with Alef-Bet
Joe Oppenheimer |
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Camera as Yad - We use the Yad so that we don’t lose our place when we read Torah. The camera too, anchors us in place and time as it captures a moment or creates a memory. Steve Ritter |
Let Them Build me a Sanctuary that I may Dwell Among Them - Michael Heinzman |
Chapel Light - Natural light streams in through the stained glass of the chapel, but light also emanates from within, giving it a special glow from all sides and at all times. It gives the title of our prayerbook Or Zaruah – Light is Sown, special meaning. Steve Ritter |
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Illumination from the Watchtower - The light from the tower and the shadows in the courtyard conveys a mystical sense of something greater. Michael Heinzman |
Tree of Life - It is a tree of life to those who hold it fast.
Harvey Helsel |
Observing the Sabbath - Happy are those who observe the Sabbath. Harvey Helsel |
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Election Central - We get ready to vote for our new Rabbi, who may finally bring the harmony we have found elusive. Joe Nalven |
Joyful Prayer - Sally Nalven |
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Cactus on Fire - Julie Fox |
Blooms Above the Biblical Garden - This picture represents renewal every spring. Michael Heinzman |
Garden of Eden - Gordon Glenn |
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Evening Glow on Shabbat - Janet Acheatel |
Torn (from our sculpture garden) For hearts that are torn. Marsha Janger |
Chair of Chairs - Sitting in the sanctuary, I often look at the high back blue chairs. Who is sitting in them tonight—who is worshipping along with us, who has come from afar to join in our prayers? Sally Nalven |
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If we build it, will they come? The sanctuary is a place for community and sharing. It is also just as its name implies – a place for quiet reflection, as the person in the image has discovered. Steve Ritter |
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