Arts & Enter a n ',,Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies INTERNATIONAL :;CONFERENCE ON NEW APPROACHES TO THE HEBREW BIBLE . it "Generation to Generation" is part of artist Michael Bogdanow's "Visions of Torah" series of contemporary art- works inspired by the Torah, which can be seen on www. MichaelBogdanow. coin. Reprinted with permission of the artist. SUNDAY, MARCH 25: Keynote lecture with internationally acclaimed Prof. James Kugel, Bar Ilan University How Are We To Read the Bible Today? 7:30 p.m • Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 Lincoln, Oak Park • Free and open to the public MONDAY, MARCH 26: A Day of Study with renowned scholars from the United States and Israel discussing archaeology, natural history, contemporary Jewish art, religious lives of Israelite women, and modern translations 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. $35/general public, $15/student, includes lunch and materials McGregor Memorial Conference Center, Wayne State, 495 West Ferry Mall Registration deadline March 21 Call (313) 577-2679 for further information. ) Ruth Weisberg: The Story of Ruth and Naomi. The Human Experience WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY 1222030 "TtI Zo ruil771111m 1 itt nad " ccording to Michele Cairgle, before she and her husband Roderick hired Gittleman to complete basement renovations on their Franklin home, it was bare bones, to say the least. A "Essentially, our basement was completely unfinished. It was just concrete and one wall. We wanted a place that would extend our home for our family — a place for the kids to play, a place to entertain. And we wanted it to be a reflection of our upper level," she explained. Why Gittleman? Michele said the decision was an easy one. "We interviewed several contractors based on referrals, their reputation and qualifications," she said, noting that Gittleman struck them as being the most forthright. "They were totally upfront about setting expectations and about the costs. I've heard horror stories about renovation projects, but Gittleman respected our family's privacy and always cleaned up at the end of the day." Furthermore, Michele said she enjoyed the fact that everyone at Gittleman worked together as a team to complete the renovations. "I liked their approach. Everyone we had contact with seemed to be familiar with our project. Everyone was on the same page, and the staff was pleasant." Today, the Cairgles enjoy a fully remodeled lower level that offers a whole new dimension of living space, yet blends perfectly with the rest of their home. Gittleman redesigned their basement to include a kitchen with bar area, a family room, bathroom, game room, play area, gym and a walkout with Jacuzzi. Though the renovations have only been complete for a month, the Cairgles wasted no time and have already hosted a gathering in their new basement. "My favorite part is probably the kitchen — but I like it all!" So the next time you want to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, call the team you can trust to meet your family's needs...Call Gittleman. JUST ASK THE CAIRGLE'S. 11111GITTLEMAN 1••••• CONSTRUCTION inc 28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 248.538.5400 www.gittleman.net 11873.10 CUSTOM 42 March 8 2007 • RENOVATIONS Exhibit celebrates career in narrative and figurative art. Suzanne Chessler Special to the Jewish News T he Story of Ruth and Naomi, an intaglio image in the exhibit "Michigan Collects Ruth Weisberg:' offers more than biblical connections. The reli- gious figures are portrayed through the artist, Ruth Weisberg, as the model for the figure of Ruth, and her sister, Naomi Harrison, as the model for the depiction of Naomi. Overlapping references, such as the two Ruths and two Naomis and a landscape that could be seen in Israel or among the Indiana sand dunes where the sisters spent time, are integral to Weisberg's body of work celebrated March 12-April 27 at the University Art Gallery at Eastern Michigan University. Curator Julia Myers, an EMU art historian, planned the display of 40 paintings, prints and drawings span- ning Weisberg's 40-year career, and she wrote the catalog essay that delves into the artist's style that has gained international recognition. For Weisberg, who earned a bache- lor's and a master's at the University of Michigan before teaching at EMU clur- ing the 1960s, the exhibit is an oppor- tunity to meet up with old friends as they learn about her projects and far- reaching accomplishments. "This exhibit is weighted toward my early work," says the 64-year-old Weisberg, who has been represented in more than 70 solo exhibits and more than 150 group exhibits. "In some ways, my work has remained remark- ably consistent. "I've always had a strong historical sense, and my themes of time and memory that arose in the late '60s have been with me ever since — although I do try to challenge myself and explore new themes and topics. "I started doing narrative and figu- rative work when it was extremely unpopular. Now, the art world is much more accepting of those things, but I would be doing them no matter whether they were accepted or not. These are not a matter of choice but a matter of need." Among Weisberg's needs are oppor- tunities to express aspects of the human experience, Jewish history and women's issues — all represented in the pieces owned by Michigan col- lectors. Some works are on loan from Naomi Harrison, an architect and