Artists-in-Residence to Discuss Creative Response to Haggadah at Golda Och Academy Event

Golda Och Academy welcomes world renowned artists David Moss and Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz for “The Haggadah: Insights Through Art,” Thursday, February 28, 7:45 p.m., at the Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus, 1418 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange.

The biblical story narrating the Israelite journey from slavery to redemption captures the imagination of Jews and non-Jews alike. And so, it is not surprising that the Passover Haggadah is one of the most decorated texts in the world. In 1980, Richard and Bea Levy commissioned Moss to create a new haggadah -- an idea that turned into a masterpiece. And in 2001, Dedee and Stephen Lovell turned to Berkowitz, inviting him to create a new family haggadah.

Moss and Berkowitz will discuss their visual, creative responses to the classic liturgy retelling the Exodus from Egypt. They will trek together through select sections of the haggadah, showcasing their artwork and sharing inspiring, creative ideas to enrich the Passover seder.

Israeli artist, Moss calls himself a"Mitzvah Beautifier." Through his art, he synthesizes Jewish texts, values and ideas with creative expression in many media. Best known as the person who revived the art of the hand-made Ketubah, the creator of the Moss Haggadah, and the co-creator of The Tree of Life Shtender, Moss also works in fine art prints, books, manuscripts, sculpture, furniture, architecture and programming. He currently is producing an ongoing series of limited edition works for a group of private and institutional subscribers, is a co-founder of Kol HaOt and is busy birthing his vision for "The Garden of Jewish Exploration."

Berkowitz is the Director of Israel Programs for The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and co-founder of Kol Ha-Ot, a new Jerusalem-based venture devoted to exploring the arts and Jewish learning.  Berkowitz served as the JTS Senior Rabbinic Fellow.  He is a member of The Wexner Heritage Program Faculty. An accomplished artist, Berkowitz was formally trained in Jewish scribal art in Jerusalem and completed the writing of Megillat Esther, the illumination of several ketubbot, and a limited edition artist portfolio entitled Passover Landscapes: Illuminations on the Exodus which was acquired by Yale University, exhibited at Yeshiva University Museum (April, 2006) and is on permanent exhibit at The Jewish Theological Seminary. The Lovell Haggadah (jointly published in 2008 by Schechter Institute and Nirtzah Editions) is based on this work.  In 2008-2009, he studied illustration and oil painting at The Jerusalem Studio School and printmaking at The Jerusalem Print Workshop (2011).

The GOA event is free and open to the community. For more information or to register, please contact Abby Finkel at afinkel@GoldaOchAcademy.org.

Moss and Berkowitz will be at GOA February 26 through March 5, as Artists-in-Residence and will be working with students and faculty in addition to the community program. This Artist-in-Residence program has been made possible through the generous support of the Arie Halpern Fund for Jewish Heritage. This program is a part of the GOA series - Expressions... A Cultural Journey Through Song, Art and Story. For more information about the series, visit www.GoldaOchAcademy.org.