Every Picture Tells A Story at MOCA DC

During the fall semester of 2009, I had the honor and privilege of working with 25 great students at Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon, Virginia. They were part of a class, The Parsha Project, that I co-taught with Paul Moskowitz.

Each week’s parsha (Torah portion) provides an endless variety of messages and guideposts that each of us can incorporate into our lives. Sometimes the advice is obvious from the stories that unfold; other times one must seek the hidden meanings beneath the surface.

With Paul, these students had an opportunity to learn how to delve deeply into a parsha (Torah portion). Through text study and discussions led by Paul, students in this unique class learned how to interpret the Torah on different levels.

With me, each student then delved into an in-depth study and artistic exploration of a particular parsha of their choosing from the parshot read during the semester, ultimately creating the mixed-media artwork on exhibit. Each piece is an interpretation of the parsha, and serves as a visual d'var torah.

And as an aside, I also have two pieces in the exhibit that are also parsha interpretations.

Dave Quammen, the director of MOCA DC, a gallery in Georgetown, has generously donated space for Congregation Beth Emeth Chai School's Parsha Project to display their work as part of the gallery's exhibit this month: Every Picture Tells A Story. The show runs through January 30, 2010.

Fourteen students' work is on display. The pieces tell stories from Genesis, running the gamut from Adam and Eve eating the apple to Joseph and his brothers in Egypt.

A reception for the students will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 7-9pm. Everyone is welcome! MOCA DC is located at 1054 31st St., NW, Washington, DC 20007 in Canal Square.