Flora Rosefsky’s Jewish Art Inspires Social Change

Flora Rosefsky’s artworks express a sincere respect for the beauty of Judaism and a concern for the health of our environment. Two of her selected works will be included in an exhibition at the Dr. Bernard Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College in New York City in 2023. Others will be on view at the MJCCA Katz Family Main Street Gallery through March.

“A lot of the work is original work that often uses repurposed materials and mixed media,” Rosefsky said. “I do like to work in a series, or as I call it, ‘variations on a theme.’”

Her “Stop” series, for example, incorporates seven vinyl 45-rpm records, along with paper cutouts. “‘Schach’ is a large work in which I use house keys, ephemera from newspapers, my own artwork cut up, magazines and cut paper,” Rosefsky said. “The Mother Earth figurines have vintage bracelet watches around their heads — a metaphor for time running out to mediate global warming. ‘Acronym for Change,’ in the MJCCA exhibition, is one of the largest works and uses a large, crocheted cloth as the support.”

Tangled
“In dreamlike visual language, twisted random lines of string on paper support floating figures struggling to find freedom. The subconscious nature symbolizes my personal reflection as a working artist and writer who is also wife, mother, grandmother, friend and volunteer — roles defined yet still evolving within their own boundaries of commitment and time. Life’s interruptions often make me feel tangled, struggling to continue to be generous with my spirit and time, yet searching for more balance within the boundaries of each day, month, or year.”

Acronym for Change
“I conducted research about global warming, now called climate change, uncovering hundreds of acronyms symbolizing research projects or institutions working to better understand why ocean temperatures are warming way too fast. The cascade of magazine cutout letters on card stock covered with blue liquid watercolor, along with ribbons, trim and textiles, manifests a deeper appreciation for the scientists, scholars and researchers doing their important work, while appreciating God’s grandeur of creation.”

Grassroots 1, 2 and 4
“Long, deep roots of grass entangle and intertwine, a metaphor for how grassroots groups can bring about powerful change. Citizens on a grassroots level, often starting with the efforts of a few people’s effort, manifest how a good idea begins to grow. I created ‘Grassroots’ as a way to find something positive in today’s political climate. Individuals, springing up from grassroots, may be the only way to turn the tide of the horrendous divide in our country. We can’t stand back and do nothing. Together, not by acting alone, it is my hope to create positive change.”

Seder
“The spring festival of Passover is celebrated at home when family and friends gather around the table to retell the story of the Exodus from a special book called a haggadah. This festive event is called a seder. Many symbolic foods are eaten, new and old rituals are performed.”

Ketubah Signing
“Before the wedding ceremony under the traditional chuppah, a ketubah — a Jewish legal marriage contract — is read and then signed by two witnesses. The ketubah is a document that often is illuminated or decorated and can become a very special work of art in the married couple’s home.”