Bringing Jewish art into the modern art world     A wonderful Judaic concept, Hiddur Mitzvah, teaches us that we are commanded to beautify our sacred places, events, and ritual items.  For thousands of years it has been a Jewish tradition to create Judaic artistry that reflects the art of that particular time and place.

by Alon Kaplan

Alon is a prolific writer and co-creator of creativejewishliving.com. He is the father of three wonderful girls and the husband of Nishima Kaplan.     We are fortunate to be living during what is being called the Second Jewish Renaissance.  A flourishing of arts, music, learning and letters is infusing Judaism (and the world) with pure light & delight.      Throughout our people's history, the best artists have dedicated their talents to Hiddur Mitzvah.       Today, however, the political and artistic climates have drawn many talented Jewish artists away from Jewish themes and Judaica.  Jewish art can be seen in Jewish museums, but rarely in contemporary galleries and museums.  Recently, the New York Review of Book wrote about the frankly ignorant idea still circulating in some academic circles that Judaism is a religion without art (how then do you explain twenty-five hundred years of Jewish art objects?)         The result of all this is that many discerning Jewish art collectors focus their resources on secular artwork while accomplished Jewish art and artists fail to attract the attention it richly deserves.     While it is part and parcel of being a visionary artist to be ignored by your contemporaries (think Vincent Van Gogh), we see it as a sacred calling, a mitzvah, to bring the best of Jewish fine art and hand-crafts to the attention of both serious collectors and nascent art lovers.      We invite you to participate in the Second Jewish Renaissance.  We invite you to begin a relationship with the most amazing, beautiful art you have ever seen.  We invite you to participate in Jewish traditions and lifecycle events, elevating the pageant of the holy days with fine art, beautifying your home,  inspiring and touching all those around you and supporting the work of talented artists.     We invite you to a feast of the imagination and of the senses.

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