Celebrate: Celebration in Jewish Tradition (and the first hint of winter)

Posted on December 27, 2014 by pomegranateguild18

Celebrate: Celebration in Jewish Tradition – Launch of new Pomegranate Guild Exhibition
Anna VanDelman reports:
On Wednesday November 19th, 2014 fifteen intrepid Guild members and two guests braved the first snow of the season – and treacherous driving conditions – to attend a wonderful presentation by Rabbi Elliot Diamond.

To kick off the launch of the call for our new exhibit, Celebrate, Rabbi Diamond gave an inspiring presentation. He began with a quote from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel:

“People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state–it is to receive pleasure afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle…. Celebration is a confrontation, giving attention to the transcendent meaning of one’s actions.”

Rabbi Diamond has generously shared his notes with us. Here is the overview. More detailed notes will be provided on request.

1. Categories of Celebrations:

i. Holidays: Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim, Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur

ii. Life Cycle: Birth, Bris, Zeved HaBat, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary, yahrzeit

iii. Accomplishments / Milestones: Graduation, job, siyum, business achievement, being the first to…., Chanukat HaBayit, Inauguration

2. Role of Celebration

3. What Does “Simcha” Really Mean?

4. The Secret of LeChaim!!

After the presentation, Janis Katz walked us through the call for entry requirements for the next exhibit, and Artist in Residence Laya Crust facilitated a discussion to help us start imagining our response to the call.

“Textures:” Member Juana Sleizer’s work on view

Posted on December 19, 2014 by pomegranateguild18

During January, come to North York Central Library to see Pomegranate Guild member, Juana Sleizer’s work on view!

Artists are selected for libraries in the Toronto Public Library system through a rigourous adjudication process. Congratulations, Juana.

North York Central Library
5120 Yonge Street
Viewing hours:
Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 8.30 pm
Saturday 9.00 to 5.00 pm
Sunday 1.30 pm to 5.00 pm

From Friday January 02. 2015 to Saturday January 31 2015

Celebrating other Arts – New Show at Beth Tzedec

Posted on December 10, 2014 by pomegranateguild18

One art often influences another. This new exhibit at Beth Tzedec is photographic display of Jewish musicians.

Dorion invites us: “Please join us for the opening of David Kaufman’s photography exhibition: VESSELS OF SONG: FACES OF NEW JEWISH MUSIC at Beth Tzedec Museum
on Thursday December 11^th at 7:00pm.
We are delighted that the KlezKonnection will entertain us for the evening.”

This exhibit continues until March 2015.