AROUND TOWN

Temple art show benefits congregation — and enhances links with Israel.

BY RONIT PINTO III PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN

Technion's Jo Rosen: "We are connecting

with the people and the land."

y buying art from Israel,
said Jo Rosen, -we are
connecting with the peo-
ple and the land. We are helping
them and showing our support."
The West Bloomfield resident
was talking about the Temple
Emanu-El Israeli Art Show and
Sale. She's an artist herself.
"Any time we can support
Israel, whether by making a major
gift for research or by purchasing
Israeli art, it is all important," said
Rosen, who is on staff in the
Farmington Hills office of the

Dr. Abt, an art professor at
Wayne State University in Detroit
and a Temple Emanu-El member,
gave the group a primer in buying
art and he tried to motivate novice
collectors to buy. He compared
buying art to buying a home —
knowledge matters.
With something for everyone,
Safrai offered posters starting at $40,
signed limited editions and original
paintings. Themes varied from
Chagall-like figures floating over
Jewish shtetls, vibrant still lives,
scenes of Israel and religious art.

Event chairman Scott Silver and gallery owner

Menachem Safrai

Mitch and Marcia Meisner of Huntington Woods

Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Joseph Klein,

Marshall Weingarden of Huntington Woods

and Lloyd Strausz of West Bloomfield

Dr. Jeffrey Abt, one of the presenters

In center of page: Delores Galea of Detroit,

Glenn Liebowitz of Farmington Hills

and Walter Stark of Bloomfield Hills

14 •

JANUARY 2005 • JNPLATINUM

'Technion-Israel Institute of
Technology in Haifa.
Strengthening the Detroit-Israel
connection, the Oak Park syna-
gogue and the Safrai Art Gallery of
Jerusalem showcased 1,500 works
of art by 100 Israeli artists. Staff
and volunteers transformed the
temple for the Nov. 18-21 event.
his is an important event that
the community and the synagogue
are a part of together," said chair-
man Scott Silver of Beverly Hills.
The Israeli art show is a primary
fund-raiser of the congregation this
year. It came close to its goal by
netting $7,300 from the event.
A gallery opening and patron
preview was held Nov. 18 over
appetizers and a dessert reception.
Patrons enjoyed Klezmer music by
Ben-Ze'ev and an art discussion
with Dr. Jeffrey Abt of H untington
woo d s.

Marcia Meisner of Huntington
Woods appreciates religious art,
while her husband, Mitch, admired
a painting of red roses. Paul and
Debora Walter of Huntington
Woods not only like supporting
Israel, but the style of many of the
Israeli artists as well.
Safrai gallery owner Menachem
Safrai, in his 15th year doing U.S.
shows, moved like a pro through-
out the temple.
During a discussion, Rosen
made a moving speech and found
herself with the mike at the front
of the room. 'There are emotions
involved when buying art," she
said. "When I look at a piece of
art, I wonder Wrhere the artist is
coming from, what's his or her
history and what made him or her
make it. Many of these works were
created by artists who barely
survived the Holocaust."

Elizabeth Zerwekh of West Bloomfield