Group show, KEHILLA, opened on August 27, 2023 at the ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN SYNAGOGUE, DETROIT, MI. | CURATED BY MELANIE BAER SCHWARTZ.
May We Know Pleasure All the Days of Our Lives, May I Remember to Not Fear the Very Narrow Bridge (Gesher Tzar Meod), Priestess’ Blessing (with garlic clove), and V’Ani Tefilati all 2023 — Hand-stitched cotton thread on cotton Bedikah cloth, some dyed with onion skins, garlic and iron, 3 x 3 inches each.
The Twelve Sisters (hoshen mishpat), 2023 — Hand-stitched cotton thread on cotton Bedikah cloth dyed with watercolors, 3 x 3 inches each.
Ritual Recipe, 2023 — Hand-stitched thread on cotton dish towel dyed with Indigo, 17 1/2 x 12 inches. Edition 1/18
Kehilla קהילה : Inaugural Exhibition at the Newly-Renovated Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
Detroit, MI — August 27, 2023 — The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue is thrilled to unveil its arts program and present Kehilla (קהילה, meaning community), the inaugural exhibition which brings together Jewish artists making an impact on the Detroit community. As the historic Synagogue introduces its newly-renovated interiors, we are honored to host an extraordinary group of artists centered around the theme of community and the shared experiences that bind us all together, celebrating the vibrant spirit of Jewish community. As the only active Synagogue building in Detroit, the building alone serves as a testament to Detroit’s rich Jewish history - partnering with the incredible community of artists to evoke a creative experience within our Jewish home offers us an opportunity to engage with art that reflects the vibrant tapestry of Detroit. Artworks on display span a range of mediums, from painting and sculpture to repurposed ephemera from the old Synagogue building. Through these diverse artistic expressions, and the voices of emerging, mid-career, and established artists alike, the exhibition explores the multifaceted concept of community — the connections that tie individuals together across backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. These insights into the artists’ creative processes and foster meaningful dialogues about the power of community-building. Their vision of promoting unity and understanding is so important in a time when these values are needed more than ever.
This exhibition is curated by Melanie Baer Schwartz and made possible thanks to the generous support of Civic Companies, George and Sarah Roberts, Shelley and Jeff Roberts, Hannah and Adam Kessler, and The Reingold Family.