yw "ABBASOLUTFI T GREAT FUN." A Beautiful Mitzvah A new exhibit at the JCC's Janice Charach Gallery highlights objects of beauty and function. Elizabeth Applebaum Special to the Jewish News T he menorah has its rules: It must have eight candles, plus one more to light. The candles should be in a straight line and placed so that they are seen by passersby to fulfill the mitzvah of pub- licizing the miracle. But, after that, a menorah can be anything, and in the hands of artists a menorah or a kiddush cup or Shabbat candlesticks can become works of incredible beauty. "Hiddur Mitzvah" ("Beautifying the Commandment") is an exhibit and sale showcasing Jewish ritual objects created by some of Metro Detroit's leading artists, both Jewish and gen- tile. It opens 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, and continues through March 6 at the Janice Charach Gallery in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Artists whose works will be shown in the exhibit are Susan Adelman, Dani Katsir, Miles Steam, Joanne Bellet, Deanna Sperka, Arlene Gendelman, Shawn Steam, Genevieve Sylvia, David Helm and JCC Executive Director Mark Lit. "Many years ago I heard of an exhibit that taught artists how to cre- ate Jewish ceremonial objects:' said Lit. "We did it in Houston, then in San Antonio and Austin, each time with fabulous art created by some of Texas' leading artists. We thought it would be fun to try here." The artists began by hearing a pre- sentation from Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov of the Shul, who explained the hala- chic (Jewish law) guidelines for ritual objects. Gallery Director Terri Stearn loved the explanations and loved see- ing the variety of artists who attended, from potters to painters to those who work with glass. "The artists took inspiration from Rabbi Shemtov's talk, and I can't wait to see what they created:' she said. Among those participating in the exhibit is Stearns' brother-in-law Miles Steam, whose studio is in Pontiac. Miles Steam is that rare soul who can actually make a living as an art- ist. Though raised in a Conservative home, he hadn't really considered the intricacies of Jewish ritual objects BENNY ANDERSSON & BJORN IMAMS' THE SMASH HIT MUSICALTWasorAEIBN Fisher Theatre • Feb. 12-24 Miles Stearn works in his studio. Tickets on sale at the Fisher Theatre box office & all ticketmaster outlets incl. Macy's ticketmaster.com • 248.645-6666 • Info 313.872-1000 • BroadwayInDetrolt.com Groups (12+): 313-871-1132 or groupsalesOnederlanderdetrolt.com www.mamma-mla.com LaSalle Bank MAMMA MIA! ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING AVAILABLE ON DECCA BROADWAY I, A Bank of America Company 13,35 ,390 until he signed up to participate in "Hiddur Mitzvah." But now he's working on kiddush cups and a menorah, and he's pleased with the idea that these items, once completed, won't simply sit around on a shelf. "I like it when an object is unique and artistic, but it can also be used:' he said. Steam begins with an idea, then a drawing, then he's off to work in his large, airy studio, filled with pots and clay and color. He chose to do a menorah "because I've never really been able to find one that I like His vision: "A menorah made with a terracotta base and bright glazes, but with a theme of the Old City of Jerusalem:' His goal: A menorah that fuses functionality with design, that is both Old World and contemporary and, of course, with its candles in one straight line. ❑ Elizabeth Applebaum is a marketing spe- cialist at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. The "Hiddur Mitzvah" exhibit and sale runs Jan.17-March 6 at the Janice Charach Gallery in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. There will be an opening night reception beginning 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan.17. For more information, call (248) 432- 5448 or go to www.jccdet.org . 885 N. OPDYKE, AUBURN HILLS (1/2 MILE NORTH OF SILVERDOME) January 10 • 2008 B7