UPDATE: An Inside Look at the Exhibit

Opening night was an exciting event. Meeting the artists and hearing them speak about their inspiration and techniques helped me to look at the paintings more thoughtfully. Both Chanan and Ron use layering, for example, which creates texture and depth. I also appreciated the Israeli feeling evident in their art – Ron depicts the landscapes surrounding his home in Kibbutz Urim, while pomegranates, figs and other types of Israel’s Seven Species frequently appear in Chanan’s work.
All in all, a very enjoyable evening and an interesting exhibit.
The exhibit will continue through April 5 at AACI Jerusalem.

Dear friends,

Please come to the opening of the new show in the AACI Gallery on Tuesday evening, February 21 at 6 pm and bring your family and friends.  The artists are Chanan Mazal and Ron Gang – the work looks great and it should be a wonderful show. 

 Instead of having a Gallery Talk on a different evening, both Chanan and Ron preferred to talk in depth about their work at the opening.  Chanan sent me the following blog – it is food for thought and gives us a taste (if you will pardon the pun) of what is in store for us on Tuesday.

 See you there!

Donna Grushka 

map to AACI

Chanan Mazal – Art Studio Update

February 2012

Dear Friends,

I would like to share some of my recent artwork with you.

Last May, at the opening of my show at the Jerusalem Theater, I spoke about the border between ornament and art, and about my exploration of ornament’s potential as a vehicle for emotional and artistic expression. I have found this subject to be even deeper and more gratifying than I had imagined. While applying more and more layers to each painting, I alternatively create denser layers of pattern, or masks to hide or mutate them. Like a toddler building a tower of blocks, building, knocking down, and building again. At the same time, my own levels of raw emotions vacillate with a desire to return to a well behaved and pretty aesthetic. Like the naughty child in Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are”.

My goal is to stop working at that enigmatic point in time when I feel that this tug of war has reached a perfect tie. The war is between impulsive, yet engaging, “bad taste” and refined, pleasing “good taste.” The moment when our tense concentration breaks into a humorous, joyous smile.

I use the power or delicacy of pattern, to counterbalance my deliberately coarse execution of earlier layers; to correct my deliberately imperfect compositions, and to make peace with warring colors. I prefer to initially attack the canvas as quickly as possible, from my gut. Then I patiently, thoughtfully and joyfully build up the painting to that moment of equilibrium. Perhaps we all get gratification from fixing broken things.

When artists paint portraits of others, in a sense they are always painting themselves. Likewise, I feel that even when I paint the most neutral of objects, these works reflect my own search for self identity. Our teenage self definitions get redefined over time, as we mature, change our family and work roles, and re clarify our values.

I find that self humor is a great tool. Perhaps that is why so many of my works contain either a well balanced, symmetrically placed object, over a joyfully chaotic undercoat, or impossibly off balanced bowls, about to roll off of the canvas.

If any of you folks are here in Jerusalem, please join me next Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the opening of my newest exhibition at the AACI. Details below.

Best regards,

Chanan

Chanan Mazal

C. Mazal Art Ltd.

11 Rivka St.

Jerusalem 93461

Israel

www.mazalart.com

www.mazalart.blogspot.com

Tel (972)2-6719715

Fax (972)2-6719779

Mobile 054-6374751

On Thursday, February 23, 2012, AACI will be presenting this entertaining fund-raising evening.  A conventional “sold to the highest bidder” auction will partner with a Chinese auction, which is more like a raffle.* The net result – fun for everyone and items for every budget!

A wine and cheese reception at 6:30 PM will kick off the activities and give you the opportunity to inspect the auction items and enter tickets for the Chinese Auction. The main event starts at 7:00 PM.

Come and bid on a wonderful array of goods and services! The eye-catching offerings (a few of which are pictured in this post) include:

• original artwork
• exciting tours
• Israel Opera tickets
• fine dining experiences
• exquisite Judaica items
• beauty packages
• an invitation to a Maccabi Electra basketball game as the guest of the great Tal Brody
• and the grand prize – one airline ticket to the US!

Online bids are being accepted for items in the conventional auction until midnight (Israel time) on February 15. See the catalog and/or submit your bid.

The catalog shows just a limited selection of the offerings. Many more goods and services, donated by our generous and creative supporters, will be available for sale ONLY on the night of the auction.

All sale proceeds will go to support AACI’s programs and activities.

The charge for this exciting and fun event is NIS 30 for members/NIS 40 for non-members, including two free 10 NIS tickets for the Chinese Auction.  Additional tickets can be purchased at the event – and you’ll surely want more when you see what you can win.

We’re expecting a crowd, so please call the AACI office at (02)566-1181 to reserve your place today!

The Gala Auction will be held
at: The AACI-Dr. Max and Gianna Glassman Family Center, 37 Pierre Koenig/2 Poalei Tzedek, Talpiot, Jerusalem (see map)
on: Thursday evening, February 23, 2012, beginning at 6:30 PM.

* NOTE: The Chinese “auction” is really a type of raffle; after purchasing tickets, YOU decide which items to focus on. The more tickets you buy, the more chances you have to win.

“The almond trees are blooming!” I excitedly emailed my mother a few days ago. She lives back in Montreal, my snowy alte heim, where the traditional first sign of spring, spotting a robin, usually doesn’t take place till some time in early April.

But, after twenty years in Israel, my heart still lifts when I see gnarled almond branches sprouting delicately lovely blossoms — and in January! This charming sight, even on the coldest, bleakest day, reminds me that warmer weather is coming.

A notable characteristic of shekediot (or Prunus dulcis, to give their botanical name) is that unlike many other fruit trees, they flower before producing leaves. As a result, their five-petaled white or pale pink blooms are all the more visible. Also, almond trees do not shed their old fruit. Instead, fresh young flowers share space with the leftover almonds of yesteryear. When, as part of some New Age-y, get-to-know-your-inner-self exercise, I was asked to draw the tree I most resemble, I chose an almond. Connection to the past and growth in new directions, as well as sturdy rootedness in the Land of Israel, are qualities I try to … well … cultivate in myself. I liked my new alter ego so much that I began using “shekedia” as a nom de plume (pen name) on the Internet – or maybe on the Net they call it a nom de souris (mouse name).

Wikipedia’s article about almond trees taught me an interesting tidbit: almonds are not horticulturally nuts, but instead are members of the peach family! If you have a look at unpeeled almonds, either in the shuk or on the hoof, as it were, you will see that they are encased in two layers – a fuzzy outer covering coats a woody shell somewhat similar to a peach pit. The almond seed itself closely resembles a peach kernel. Wild (bitter) almonds contain dangerous amounts of hydrogen cyanide, as do peach kernels, and their cultivation and sale is banned in the United States. So admire our Israeli wild almond trees from afar, but don’t be tempted to sample a taste.

However, whether nutty or peachy, domesticated almonds are a delicious tree fruit and as such, are often eaten as part of celebrations of Tu B’Shvat. Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees when the age of a tree is calculated for halachic purposes, falls on February 8^th in 2012. This festive day is traditionally marked by eating fruit, especially olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates, sometimes as part of a seder, or ritual meal. Many charitable organizations raise funds at this time of year by selling attractive platters of dried fruits and nuts. In addition, schoolchildren in Israel often go to the forest to plant trees. I have happy memories of joining my kids years ago on a tiyul to the woods next to Har Nof, where we proudly planted tiny saplings.

AACI Jerusalem is offering three Tu B’Shvat activities this year:

1) A talk by Tomer of Victor’s Landscape Center – Wednesday February 1, at 11 AM. “All You Ever Wanted to Know about House Plants and Did Not Know Who to Ask!” Potted kitchen herbs will be offered for sale. Hosted by AACI Jerusalem Retired Active Persons. NIS 5 admission for members, NIS 10 for non-members, plus NIS 10 per plant purchased.

2) Tu B’Shvat seder for kids — Tuesday February 7, from 4:30-5:30 PM, Cost is AACI Members NIS 25 / non members NIS 30. Please pre-register so we know how much snack is needed. Elana or Rafi, Program Coordinators. 02-5661181.
jlmprog@aaci.org.il

3) Special Tu B’Shvat seder with Rabbi Barry Schlesinger — Wednesday February 8, at 11 AM. Hosted by AACI Jerusalem Retired Active Persons (RAP). Please call for more information 02-566-1181.

All three events will be held at AACI – Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center, Jerusalem, 37 Pierre Koenig 37, corner of Poalei Tzedek 2, Talpiot. 02-5661181.

Tu B’Shvat sameach, everyone, and Happy New Year to the trees!

Click to view slideshow.

A Master’s level college graduate from back in the 50s – when it wasn’t so common for a woman even to go to college – she became the lady of a manor and continued to demonstrate her creative flair in politics. However, much of her wisdom also comes from the School of Hard Knocks. What she likes to do more than anything else is to reach out and touch others.

Bryna chose AACI as the venue for her celebration because of her many friends in the AACI community: her fellow seniors and bridge club buddies.

One hundred and fifteen guests attended the party. Many more had to be turned away.

Bryna was toasted by Rabbi Moe from Ascent in Safed and Rebbetzin Gila Rosen, on behalf of herself and her husband, the late Rabbi Mickey Rosen z’l, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yakar inJerusalem.

Sara Peters led all the guests in singing “You Are My Sunshine” to Bryna and then read her a wonderful poem about turning 80, reminding us that Sara herself was 80 once, 14 years ago.

Entertainment was provided by a husband-wife dance team, Jill and Amnon Damti, whose outstanding credentials including performing at the White House. They involved the audience, who loved it. Amnon’s work as a dancer choreographer is all the more remarkable because he has been deaf since birth.

A notable attendee was Rabbi Robert Weiner, author of 9 1/2 Mystics: the Kabbala Today and a personal friend of Bryna’s.

Bryna asked that donations be made to the Anne Scully Williams Scholarship Fund, which she has just established through ESRA (English-Speaking Residents’ Association) in memory of a dear friend.

As a highlight of the event, Bryna’s close friend, Yehudit Chava, read her updated and personalized version of “Aishes Chayil,” the description of a valorous woman traditionally sung on Friday night.

Aishes Chayil – Bryna

January 11, 2012

A woman of valor who can find?

Her price is far above rubies; she shares her wealth like fairy dust.

Hashem’s heart trusts in her; she starts every day with her morning prayers.

She works willingly with her hands; she blesses those with hand massages!

She visits the sick and walks the elderly home. Her community calls her happy.

She is like the merchant-ships; she brings food when it’s needed; either from her own kitchen or by spending her last agarot. She has traveled the world and delights in sharing with other cultures.

She stretches out her hand out to the poor, and puts forth her hand out to the needy (that’s all of us folks, you and me). She truly believes that through tzedaka and mitzvot everyone gets a little tug on the heart and then that tug continues to get passed down to the next generations. She even established a Scholarship Fund for young adults through ESRA, in memory of her dearest friend and inspiration, Anne Scully Williams.

Her lamp does not go out by night; she contemplates the next 10 things she can do for others, and also remembers those who will never know of her kindness.

She took her place in theHoly Landby making aliyah some 30 years ago. She shuns no responsibility; she is still paying off her college loan!

She plants vineyards everywhere she goes, and then speaks to the plants so they grow well and don’t get lonely.

She girds her loins with strength and makes strong her arms at the gym, pool or tai chi class. Her diet is healthy. She walks all over town after a hip replacement, still always balancing packages and bags with no hand left to use her cane.

She is fearless, not afraid of hard times for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. Strength and majesty are her clothing. She hosts many gatherings, always with elegance, style, and perfect social grace. This includes sending out the old fashioned “bread and butter invitations and thank you notes” — she hand makes her own cards, each stuffed with personalized love. Then she addresses them all by hand to people all over the world, especially on their birthdays. Want to be added to her mailing list?!

She also has kept up with modern technology. She emails from her laptop, SMS’s messages from her cell phone, attends many classes and events, AND she still plays bridge like a wiz.

Favor is false and beauty is vain but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised. She does only good and not evil all the days of her life.

She doesn’t fear the time to come and opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of loving-kindness is on her tongue. No lashon hara there!

She does not eat the bread of idleness … at any given time, even while standing in line or on a bus, you will see her meditating, and nurturing her energy, while maybe squeezing a ball or standing on one leg to reinforce her strength and stability for one more day.

She is true to her word. She cherishes life and shows deep affection to her friends. She shows a high level of respect to all. She qualifies her words with “I don’t mean to be unkind.” She thanks taxi drivers for their kindness and tells waiters that they made her day.

She walks the talk. She is the friend who comes in when all others have gone out. Hashem rewards her. Her sweet partner, of blessed memory, Elchanon, was known at the gate when he sat among the elders of the land. He praised her, saying: Many women have done worthily but thou excellest them all.

May this modern-day aishes chayil continue to be an inspiration to all of us until 120 plus!

Entering AACI’s new offices is a pleasant surprise – the premises feel bright and functional but not sterile. The walls are enhanced with the colorful works of four exciting Israeli artists. The impression is of visiting different areas of our country; the widely varied styles of the artists seem to reflect the variety of landscapes and people in Israel.

Shoshana Meerkin’s watercolors delicately depict light and shade. Many of her paintings embody a theme of Israeli doors and windows, often partly open, inviting the viewer to imagine what lies beyond. Similarly, in “Let’s Go There,” two elderly women sit on a seaside bench, backs to the viewer. Despite their relaxed pose, their attention to the sun-dappled boats in front of them creates a sense of forward motion and thought.

The rich bright colors of Ruth Gesser’s oil paintings portray the almost jungle-like exuberance of Israeli gardens. Her watercolors seem drenched in the intense sunlight that is so characteristic of summer in this country. A versatile artist, she also combines watercolors and watercolor pastels to create intriguing semi-abstract works.

Ruth Keusch uses oils to create paintings of human figures or flowers with strong, almost harsh lines. In true Israeli fashion, she is rigorously honest, yet sympathetic, in her interaction with her subjects. As well, she produces earthy sculptures. In the words of one of the viewers of her exhibit: “Exciting!”

Esther Weiser Kreisman combines her traditional art school background with modern technology to produce big bold “urban landscapes.” Photographs of a scene at various times of day are melded to create paintings that are alive with motion and energy, from the lighthearted, bright “Coca Cola Beach Tel Aviv,” to the fluid familiar/unfamiliar feeling given by “Jerusalem 2008.”

Many of the original paintings, as well as posters and giclee reproductions, are for sale. A percentage of all sales will be donated to the AACI.

The works will be on display until February 15, 2012 and are open to the public free of charge during AACI’s opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm and some evenings.

A gallery talk from 6-8 pm this Sunday, January 22nd, will allow art lovers to hear the artists discuss their works and their creative process, followed by a question period.

Phone 02-5661181 for hours and directions or check our website: www.aaci.org.il.
A new exhibit is presented approximately every six weeks, making the works of contemporary Israeli artists easily accessible to the general public.

Welcome to our newest guest Blogger, Laura Firszt. We hope to be reading lots more from Laura on a regular basis.

originally published in the September-October 2011 edition of AACI’s VOICE

The Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) had announced that you can get your masks delivered via The Israel Postal Courier Service to a convenient address.  

Orders can be made by telephone to the distribution center between 07:00-22:00 and on Friday between 7:00-14:00. Dial *171 or *2237 for someone to contact you.

Date of delivery will be determined in coordination with the client. Delivery cost is NIS 25 per household. To leave contact details use this link:

Gas Masks will be provided at no cost for all eligible residents.

Residents who have not returned their old gas masks will be required during the distribution period to return them, or if lost, will be required to pay.

There are plans for a free program for those who are homebound, living in special institutions for health reasons defined by the Home Front Command in cooperation with relevant ministries. 

Note to the Public: The above is a service notice and by no means should be taken as a sign of imminent danger and to cause alarm to the residents of Israel

With special thanks to our newest contributor, Jack Cohen of AACI’s Netanya branch.

Jack has many talents and interests, and among them, he has a blog called Isblog at http://commentfromisraelblog.blogspot.com/. This is from his December 8, 2011 post. Posted with permission.

Originally published in the September-October edition of AACI’s VOICE

In the last issue of the Voice we discussed how women frequently lack confidence and feel insecure and when it comes to financial planning and investments. We also identified five key risks that women face as they move through their retirement years, including (i) Outliving Assets due to longevity, (ii) Loss of Spouse, (iii) Decline in Functional Status, (iv) Rising Healthcare and Medical Expenses, and (v) Inflation.

Against this background, I strongly urge women to become active participants in their financial lives in order to increase their chances of having a comfortable retirement. Here are five steps you can take:

1. Educate yourself. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading books and articles, attending seminars and speaking with knowledgeable professionals in order to increase your financial aptitude and confidence.
2. Identify your goals. If you are like most women, you have goals, but haven’t really thought about what it would take to achieve them. Think them through and write them down. The more concrete your financial goals, in terms of magnitude (how much money you need) and timing, the more likely you are to achieve them.
3. Develop and implement a long-term financial and investment plan. No rational traveler would take a trip to a far-off location without a road map and directions. Similarly, no rational investor should jump in without spending time and effort developing a plan to meet her financial goals. The plan provides you with a framework, discipline and accountability. If you are married and your spouse hasn’t taken the lead in formulating your family plan, run with it yourself and involve him as much as possible. The plan should be tailored to your life expectancy, your standard of living, your risk profile and your unique financial goals.
4. Understand the risks. Women tend to err on the side of caution when investing, preferring to avoid short-term loss rather than achieve long-term gain. The erosion of purchasing power due to inflation is one of the major financial risks faced by women. Conservative bank deposits, which will not keep up with inflation, can often be more damaging to your financial well-being than the partial (and often temporary) loss of your investment values due to market volatility. Currency risk, especially for those individuals with income and/or assets in more than one country, must also be considered.
5. Reassess, Rebalance, Reallocate. Even the best financial plan needs to be revisited once a year to ensure that you are still on track to meet your goals. Adjustments should be made and the plan should be tweaked as necessary. And if you have experienced a major life change – the death of a spouse, a divorce, the loss of a job, an inheritance – your plan should be re-worked to reflect your new situation. Planning is not a one-time exercise. As your priorities and goals evolve with time, your financial plan should evolve along with you.

Women are different from men, and historically, have been less exposed to the financial world. But that’s no excuse!  Educate and empower yourself to take control of your financial life. Financial security is not something that just happens – it is something you work toward. And with HaShem’s help, you can succeed.

Debbie Sassen is an independent Financial Planner and Licensed Investment Advisor (US) with the Investment Advisor Alliance, RIA. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Debbie uses her broad background to help people, in particular women, to organize their financial lives, identify their financial goals, and implement strategies to achieve financial freedom. She can be reached at Debbie.Sassen@yahoo.com or 054 842 7638.

Note: The above article is not, nor should it be a substitute for, financial advice relating to any individual’s specific needs.

Many people relegate art with a strong Jewish connotation to a niche of works dealing with usually old-fashioned portraits of rabbis, the Kotel or texts involving the Hebrew scribal letters. But there are artists who have different intentions and aspirations. Among them are Dov Lederberg and his wife Yael Avi-Yonah who have been creating for over three decades in Jerusalem innovative, even cutting-edge, art works with a deep spiritual and meditational impact.

Each of the artists with his/her unique style attempts to render with their art an interactive and even surprisingly mystic experience.

Avi-Yonah uses metal plates as a base upon which she constructs hologramic collages and airbrush paintings which render a sensation of “movement” when the viewer passes by. Her paintings on canvas in combination with 3-D anaglypic glasses create outbursts of visual energy or enable the eye to discover different pictures (multiplexing) hidden in the painting, according to right brain or left brain configurations.

Lederberg’s work is influenced by modern “gestalt” theory in psychology and his airbrushed paintings invite the viewer to find images and forms “emerging” from the chaos. As an option he enables the viewer to use 3-D Avatar polaroid glasses to achieve an unusual sensation of depth.

Avi-Yonah, born in Jerusalem, is a graduate of Bezalel Art College. She is the Israeli representative of the World Kinetic Art association. Lederberg, originally an underground film-maker and video art creator, studied at Haverford College and Columbia University. Both are members of the Israel Artists Association and have made many exhibitions in galleries and museums in Israel and abroad.

The couple are currently exhibiting until the end of December their new work:

“3-D ART INSPIRED BY KABBALAH & SCIENCE“ 

at the AACI (Association of Americans & Canadians in Israel) Max & Gianna Glassman Center at 37 Pierre Koenig, Talpiot.

Part I
I recently presented a seminar with this title to a group of more than 20 women at AACI in Jerusalem. The following day, the husband of one of the participants approached me saying, “My wife told me everything you discussed and there was nothing that I couldn’t hear. Why was the seminar for women only?”

The simple answer is that women think, talk and relate to money differently from men. The uncomfortable truth, however, is that most women are likely to find themselves dealing alone with complex or vulnerable financial situations. And they may be ill-prepared to do so.

Women today are better educated and hold more executive and professional positions than ever before. They manage the household, maintain the monthly budget and are smart shoppers. Nevertheless, when it comes to financial planning and investing – women, including women who feel confident and secure in most areas of their lives, report a lack of confidence. Many feel intimidated by or unwelcome in the financial world, a domain traditionally dominated by men.

For a woman experiencing widowhood or divorce, these feelings are often intensified – she may be totally unsure of how she’s going to manage the longer-term financial issues alone.

According to a new report by the Society of Actuaries, women today face five key risks as they approach and move through their retirement years:

i. Outliving Assets – Women typically earn less than men – 24% less, on average, according to the latest annual survey from Oketz Systems. Moreover, women tend to take more time out from their careers to raise children and care for aging parents. The time a woman spends out of the work force reduces her pension accumulation. Due to her life expectancy, which is longer than a man’s, and lower retirement reserves, there is a greater chance that a woman’s financial resources will be insufficient for her needs.

ii. Loss of Spouse – Because women have longer life expectancies than men and traditionally are younger than their husbands, periods of widowhood of 15 years or more are not uncommon. For many women, the death of a spouse is accompanied by a decline in her standard of living.

iii. Decline in Functional Status – Women are more likely than men to have longer periods of chronic disabilities and, as a result, are more likely to need long-term care.

iv. Healthcare and Medical Expenses – While a healthy 30-year old will spend an average of NIS 100 per month on health care, the average 70-year old will spend NIS 1000 per month. These costs continue rising with age.

v. Inflation – Inflation can greatly impact women as a result of their long life expectancy. Money saved for retirement will lose its buying power if it is invested too conservatively – a problem plaguing many more women than men.

So what is a woman to do?
In short, a woman needs to educate herself about money matters, develop a long-term financial plan and then implement it. In the next issue of the Voice (watch the AACI blog for part II of this article), we will discuss in greater detail some financial planning tools that can help you take charge of your financial life.

Debbie Sassen is an independent Financial Planner and Licensed Investment Advisor (US) with the Investment Advisor Alliance, RIA. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Debbie uses her broad background to help people, in particular women, to organize their financial lives, identify their financial goals, and implement strategies to achieve financial freedom. She can be reached at Debbie.Sassen@yahoo.com or 054 842 7638.

Note: The above article is not, nor should it be a substitute for, financial advice relating to any individual’s specific needs.