Rosenzweig Gallery
The Rosenzweig Gallery at Judea Reform Congregation
is proud to present in Fall 2021
Reflections on The Inner Self:
The Art of Simone Soltan, z”l
The Rosenzweig Gallery of Judea Reform Congregation is proud to present an exhibit of the paintings, drawings, and mixed media art of Simone Soltan, of blessed memory. Simone was a vibrant and active member of Judea Reform Congregation for many years; she generously shared her many talents with Judea Reform and the greater Jewish Community. Simone was a woman of many talents. In addition to being an artist, Simone was an opera singer, a teacher, an administrator, and a curator. She was a major force behind the creation of the Lerner Jewish Community Day School and she directed the Rosenzweig Gallery from 2010 to 2015. Born in 1938 in New York City, she died in April 2020 in Durham, NC.
Many themes of Simone’s relationship to Judaism are present in her art. In Simone’s words:“ [Art making} offers me the opportunity to explore my personal sense of morality and responsibility toward others and our environment. . . I am highly motivated by the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam — repairing the world, I seek to identify, acknowledge and understand those needs through my art.”
If you are attending in-person High Holy Day services in the Levin Social Hall, we invite you to view Simone’s art on the walls of the Community Court. The Arts & Acquisitions Committee and Rosenzweig Gallery look forward to sharing more opportunities to view and engage with Simone’s art and legacy in the new year, including:
October 3 at 2pm - Zoom Schmooze "The Art and Legacy of Simon Soltan"
https://www.judeareform.org/
October 8 at 7:15pm - Opening Reception for "Reflections of the Inner Self" following in-person Shabbat Services (subject to change due to pandemic metrics)
For information, please Juliet Jensen jjensen@judeareform.org.
We gratefully acknowledge Steve Soltan for loaning Simone’s works to JRC.
Sponsored by Judea Reform’s Arts & Acquisition Committee and the Rosenzweig Gallery
Examples of Simone's Work on Display
About the Rosenzweig Gallery
The Rosenzweig Gallery of Judea Reform Congregation is the only gallery in the Chapel Hill-Durham area with dedicated space for the display of Judaic art and artifacts. Judea Reform Congregation’s founding Rabbi, Efraim Michael Rosenzweig was not only the congregation’s first spiritual leader, he was also a poet, an artist, a social activist and an art collector. His personal collection of Judaic artifacts was donated to Judea Reform, and became the core of the Rosenzweig Collection. (READ THE WHOLE ROSENZWEIG GALLERY STORY . . . )
The Rosenzweig Gallery rotates every four months and includes a gallery wall for 2-D work as well as a glass display case for 3-D work and other items and artifacts.
