Many Jews in the diaspora are concerned about their children and grandchildren sustaining Jewish identity. A while back a published study indicated that two major variables associated with maintaining Jewish identity were attendance at Jewish summer camp and visiting Israel.
Although I’ve consistently belonged to a Jewish religious congregation throughout adulthood I hold the belief that what happens in the family and at home has the greatest impact on a person’s mind set about their Judaism. Strong positive Jewish identity flows from a family’s celebrating Jewish holidays and rites of passage together, openly discussing Jewish issues, reading and discussing Jewish literature, newspapers, magazines in the home, attending Jewish related performances, decorating one’s home with Jewish art and ritual items. A bit of potato kugel and gefilte fish doesn’t hurt either, but I wouldn’t count on bagels and lox to reinforce Jewish identity. We’re fortunate in the D.C. Capital Area to have ArtSites, the Guild for Judaic Art, whose members are devoted to creating art that reinforces and enriches Judaic ritual and belief. ArtSites’ artists strive to create poignant pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also meaningful within the scope of Judaism. ArtSites increases the options of Jewish families in conveying the beauty and meaning of Judaism within the family.
Having the very good fortune to count many ArtSites members as friends (who are all coincidentally members of Tikvat Israel), I also have been able to beautify my home with some lovely works made by the hands of these friends.
In addition, another amazing resource in the DC area that many of our TI members belong to, and which serves to enrich and educate the community on Jewish music and heritage is Zemer Chai http://zemerchai.org. I have sung with this wonderful chorus for the past 4 years, and our director, Eleanor Epstein, has broadened my jewish and hebrew understanding and literacy immeasurably.
Art and music are pathways to the soul, and we are so blessed by these two wonderful organizations.
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Roz,
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janaki
Unfortunately, ArtSites, the Guild for Judaic Art is no longer the same organization it was when I wrote the article, “Forging Jewish Identity.” A few months ago, a small group of people, who were allegedly members of ArtSites, met and dissolved the corporation and the by-laws. They did not send out a notice of a meeting with an agenda ahead of time, and they did not send out minutes of the meeting afterwards. People who were members at the time were shocked, and approximately one third or more of members have left the group. The group (anonymous) who took control retained an almost $4000.00 treasury.