Two Tikvat Israel members and two teen-age sisters are major participants in an interfaith art exhibition and program series starting in mid-February and continuing into March.

JAMmARTt (Jews and Muslims Making ART Together) will celebrate the opening of its exhibition Art Without Borders: A Celebration of Humanity at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington (JCCGW), Goldman Art Gallery, with a reception on Sunday, February 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. The exhibition will feature interfaith programming including, art projects, presentations, and panel discussions.

JAMmARTt, a group of local Jewish and Muslim artists, was founded in July 2008 by TI members Betsy Nahum-Miller and Shirley Waxman, along with others, with the shared goal of forging interaction, respect, and understanding between the two communities through the creation of a work of art.

“I started this project after hearing a lecture about interfaith dialogue at my synagogue Tikvat Israel Congregation. I thought it would be great that as Jewish and Muslim artists, we could not just talk, but create something beautiful together,” said Nahum-Miller, the group’s founder.

Nahum-Miller contacted Sabir A. Rahman of the Muslim Community Center as a way to begin creating a link to the Muslim community. “We then embarked on a wonderful journey that has created this beautiful art,” said Rahman.

The group’s collaboration led to the creation of an interactive sculptural installation that both literally and figuratively allows visitors to see Jews and Muslims from another perspective. The colorful and vibrant piece, composed of paint, fiber, metal, glass, ceramic, and wood, is a declaration of the beauty contained within the two religions and the intermingling of shared values and beliefs.

The exhibition will include artwork by the individual artists, including Tikvat Israel' sister tandem of Shayna and Rachel Solomon, who participated in the project, along with additional Jewish and Muslim artists.

The exhibition and related programs will run at the JCCGW, 6125 Montrose Rd. Rockville, Md., om Feb. 19 through March 18. The opening reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Phyllis Altman at 301-348-3770, paltman@jccgw.org. Web Site: http://www.jccgw.org/

Schedule of prgorams:

Sunday, Feb: 26, 2-4 pm: “Bridges of Harmony”

Rina Hafiz will give a talk and slide show for all ages on shared values in Islam and Judaism. After the presentation, participants may have their names written in Hebrew and Arabic Calligraphy. There will be a nominal materials fee of $1.00 for the calligraphy card.

Sunday, March 4, 1–3:30 pm: “Peaceful Connections”

Rachel and Shayna Soloman, joined by Bonnie Korr, will lead an interfaith art project for teenagers. Using colorful un-spun wool, participants will create felt from scratch to make butterflies of peace. The butterflies from this program will be donated to a local organization.

Sunday, March 11, 2-4 pm: “Fanciful Felt Flowers”

Bonnie Korr will lead an art project in felt for families. Using colorful un-spun wool with soap and water, participants will create felt from scratch and form it into beautiful flowers. There will be a $7 materials fee.

Sunday, March 18, 2-4 pm: “Pomegranates and Arabesques: Forms, Decoration, and Meaning in Muslim and Jewish Art”

Rocky Korr will moderate a discussion with artists from JAMmARTt.

About JAMmARTt

JAMmARTt (Jews and Muslims Making ART Together) was formed in July 2008 by Betsy Nahum-Miller, Shirley Waxman, Sabir A. Rahman and Paul Falcon with the goal of forging interaction, respect, and understanding between the two communities through the creation of a work of art. This group expanded to include artists from the Muslim and Jewish communities in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Northern Virginia, and now consists of more than 15 participants. Many of the artists belong to local arts organizations including Muslim Women in the Arts and ArtSites (The Guild for Judaic Art). The group received ideological support for the project by Tikvat Israel Congregation in Rockville and the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring. JAMmARTt has displayed the art at the Executive Office Building of Montgomery County and the Muslim Community Center and is looking for a permanent home.

Join Our Listserv

Email the Webmasters

	Tikvat Israel Congregation 2200 Baltimore Road · Rockville, Maryland 20851 Phone: (301) 762-7338 · Fax: (301) 424-4399 · Send us an email!
	Affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which hosts this website as one of the many services provided to member congregations.