My Ukrainian grandmother came to the U.S. at 17, fleeing the early 20th-century pogroms, then toiled as a seamstress for all her working years. But even after long shifts at the factory, she loved to sew tiny, perfect dresses for my dolls. Growing up, I considered those dresses my most precious possession: they were stitched…
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Art
Art
Jewish muralist’s historic work faces demolition at UCSF
How does a significant piece of public art go from being the “jewel of the University’s art collection” to a work designated for the wrecking ball in just…
Culture
‘Long road’ for CJM and Magnes to be fully operational again
Two months ago, the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco faced a big decision. Museums around the world were shutting their doors in response to…
Bay Area
S.F. coronavirus posters: A Jewish-led grassroots effort
It feels good to be taken seriously, according to 19-year-old Alexandra Lewis of San Francisco. Lewis is a volunteer with S.F. Strong, a new poster…
Art
How Tel Aviv creatives made art out of the coronavirus crisis
Designer Yoav Gati was walking around his south Tel Aviv block in March when he saw a discarded latex glove on the street. A few meters later he spotted…
Art & About
Culture during a pandemic: What is 'local'?
Once upon a time, there were breaks built into the week called Friday and Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon, and even evenings during the workweek when…
Photography
East Bay teen’s winning snapshot of Shabbat goes on display in Tel Aviv
In the photograph of a Walnut Creek home, a man and woman sit across the table from each other. The room is lit only by Shabbat candles, which cast a…
Culture
Lori Starr to step down as CJM head: ‘Change is healthy’
It seems like only yesterday that Lori Starr arrived from Toronto to take the helm of the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Already an accomplished arts…
Art
‘Soldier in art’ Arthur Szyk blasted tyranny in stunning graphic art
The stylistically dense and politically uncompromising works of Arthur Szyk — one of the first artists to bring attention to the Holocaust as it was being…