Synagogue’s art exhibit created to benefit artists and members

By Joyce Moed, Reporter

Temple Judea will have its first art exhibit this month, an event organizers hope will become an annual one.

The Palm Beach Gardens Reform synagogue’s exhibit, titled “Art of Our Own,” will open on Friday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m., during a wine and cheese reception before Shabbat services. All of the artists featured are Temple Judea members, who will be showcasing a variety of mediums and techniques, including oil, pastel, watercolor, needlepoint and photography. The exhibit will remain open from July 20-24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to the community, and admission is free.
“The idea this year was to showcase temple members, some who are artists as a hobby, others who are professionals,” said Barbara Bailey, temple administrator for Temple Judea. “We’re really excited about it. If it has good response, we hope to make it an annual event.”

Bailey said the exhibit is not being run as an art sale, but some of the artists do sell their work, and some sales may be able to set up privately if a viewer is interested in particular piece.

“We hope it benefits artists and members, but we do not have a part of that,” she said.

At present, there are about 12 artists lined up for the exhibit, with room for more participants, Bailey said. There is no restriction on the mediums or techniques. So far, the youngest artist is participating is a teenager. “And the oldest lady is 98,” Bailey said. “It’s nice to give people that opportunity.”

Nina Golub, a Palm Beach Gardens resident, and member of Temple Judea, will be displaying three oil paintings during the exhibit.

“They will all be of people,” she said. “One is of a mother and her children, in black and white. The second is of a street person, in black and white. The third is of my granddaughter climbing the monkey bars, in color.”

Golub said she been painting in oils for approximately 12 years, around the time she moved down to Florida. She has been a member of Temple Judea for three years.

“Temple Judea has given me many opportunities to participate in programs that they have on a yearly basis, as well as one-time events, such as this art show,” she said.

Golub added that art exhibits such as Art of Our Own are important venues for the community.
“I truly believe it brings people together, and gives the Jewish community in particular a chance to meet others,” she said. “It also gives outsiders a chance to see our beautiful temple and observe how being a member of Temple Judea can add fulfillment to one’s life.”

It’s not an accident that the exhibit is taking place in the summer months, a time often considered to be quiet in South Florida’s Jewish community.

“People are always looking for things going on in the summer,” Bailey said. “We try to keep the temple busy all year.”

Other summer programs at Temple Judea include a Sunday film series, adult education, a public speaker series, a current events forum, and community outreach programs.

The synagogue is located at 4311 Hood Road, in Palm Beach Gardens. For more information about Art of Our Own, call 561-624-4633.