Great DVD about Jewish artists and High Holiday visual art
The Jewish Art Education organization produced a wonderfully informative DVD about visual art that relates to the Jewish High Holidays.  Myrna Teck, Ph.D., narrates the DVD, providing information about 60 works of art dating from the 6th century to the present.  She describes the print "Creation," 1985, by Judy Chicago, a sculpture "The Prayer," 1943, by Jacques Lipchitz, as well as a stained glass window from the Chicago Loop Synagogue by Abraham Rattner.  There is also an ancient, 6th-century mosaic floor depicting the binding of Isaac from Bet Alpha in Israel.<br /><br />Dr. Teck also includes completely non-objective paintings by artists such as Barnett Newman, including "The Name I," 1949 and explains them so that anyone can understand their meaning.  There are images of many different kinds of shofars, and she describes why they are used, as well as why they are so diverse.  Paintings depict the use of the shofar, as in "Blowing the Shofar," by folk artist Malcah Zeldis.<br /><br />The impressive array of images, along with an explanatory narrative, makes this original DVD a great learning experience, and would be a wonderful addition to the High Holiday curriculum for any grade of a religious school or for an adult education class.
Rating: 5 stars