On November 23, Congregation Shaarey Zedek will be hosting an online exhibit of Judaic and Israel themed paintings by artist Rhonda Spivak, many of which were done during the pandemic. The art show entitled "Painting Jerusalem and Judaica" which will take place on Zoom between 7:00 - 8:15 PM Central that evening (and will be recorded on you tube) is open to all without charge. To register, go to www.szwinnipeg.ca/ART.

During the art show Spivak will discuss the Judaic themes in her work with Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze, Engagement and Education Director at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

Spivak explains how this art show came about, by stating: 

“During COVID 19, I began travelling in my mind to the Old City of Jerusalem and drew vibrant images of it using a handy set of coloured pencils. In 1985-1986, when I was 23 years old, I spent a year studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Mount Scopus and I fell in love with the jaw dropping view of the Old City of Jerusalem that lay before me. I also lived in Jerusalem in 1996 when I trained to become a lawyer in Israel, and returned often to visit the Old City, with its intoxicating sights and sounds, exploring its many hidden alleyways. The breathtaking scenery of the Old City, with its arches and unique architecture, synagogues, churches, and mosques became imprinted on my mind, and I found myself this past spring and summer, drawing images of it from different vantage points, be it from the East or the West.”

The first painting depicted here (photo #1 and #2) titled Old City of Jerusalem in Red from the Haas Promenade, was done with watercolour and black ink on canvas paper. “In 1996, when I lived in Jerusalem, I would visit the Haas Promenade often and would sketch the striking panoramic view of the Old City. When a Jewish Temple existed in Jerusalem, Jews would flock to it during the holidays of Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot” Spivak notes.

Spivak has also done a series of portraits of Israeli, Jewish women, who are featured in the art show. One of these coloured pencil drawings is titled Yemenite Jewish Bride in Traditional Headdress (photo #3). The piece portrays the Henna ceremony which takes place a week before a Yemenite Jewish wedding occurs. The ceremony involves applying temporary natural henna dye to the hands of the bride in intricate patterns that symbolize fertility.  The bride wears a vibrant red and gold beaded headdress, or gargush, that is in the shape of a cone. The red colour symbolizes fertility and the gold is majestic.  Spivak notes: “When I was in Israel in 1983, my tour went to a village where there were a lot of Yemenite Jewish families.  We were invited to a home where I actually go to try on one of these cone headdresses. I recall it being very heavy on my head! In addition to the headdress, the Yemenite Jewish bride also wears a ‘chestful’ of necklaces,” Spivak recalls. The Henna ceremony, which has a party-like atmosphere, is a flamboyant event. 

The Yemenite Jewish bride in Spivak's painting is depicted in a Moshav[1] setting, surrounded by cypress trees. “Cyprus trees are one of my favourite trees since they are regal looking. In ancient Israel, the cypress tree symbolized healing, uprightness. and eternal life” Spivak states.

A second colourful drawing of a Yemenite Jewish Bride in Traditional Headdress  is depicted in photo #4.
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Many of Spivak’s brightly coloured art pieces contain depictions of olive trees.  “Olive oil, known for its healing value, was used to light the menorah in the days of the Temple. Olive Oil was also known for its significant role in anointing kings and high-priests” Spivak says. Olive leaves are also a symbol of peace in Judaism, since, in the Bible, the dove brought Noah an olive-branch after the flood, to show that the waters had abated, and that peace had been restored. The olive tree is one of the seven species prevalent in Israel (“a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey” Deuteronomy 8:8).

“Other pieces of my art depict pomegranates and vines," Spivak adds. Another of  Spivak's drawings is of  a woman playing the flute in a Jerusalem garden, filled with pomegranate, orange and lemon trees.

Another painting in the art show (Jerusalem Doorway ) is done in blue/green watercolour hues.  “Blue represents the sky and spirituality in Judaism” Spivak indicates.  Other drawings feature animals, such as the Ibex and peacock.

Spivak hopes that “viewers of the show will enjoy this way of connecting with Israel through art”.