Museum kicks off Florida Jewish History month with Jewish art talk

What is Jewish art? Is Jewish art any art produced by a Jewish artist, regardless of content? Where does the “Jewishness” lie, in the artist or in the art?

These questions will be explored at a discussion with Florida artists and art experts on Sunday, Jan. 3, kicking off the seventh annual observance of Florida Jewish History Month at the Jewish Museum of Florida in Miami Beach.

Following the program, there will be an art show, featuring acrylics, sculpture and silk screenings by Florida Jewish artists Shimon Dray, Natasha Ten, Shoni Labowitz and Neitzah Benbenisti (also one of the panelists). There is no admission charge for this event.

The program begins at 10:30 a.m. at the museum, located at 301 Washington Avenue, South Beach For more information contact, 305- 672-5044 or www.jewishmuseum. com.

Florida Jewish History Month

The concept for Florida Jewish History Month began at the Jewish Museum. Marcia Jo Zerivitz, the museum’s founding executive director and chief curator, worked closely with legislators to recognize a statewide observance to highlight the long history of the state’s Jewish community dating back to 1763.

The first six years of commemoration were so successful that the Museum continues to distribute curricula and materials for the schools and programs for adult groups. These materials for schools were approved by the Miami-Dade County Public School Board and distributed to all counties by the State of Florida.

Educational materials for Florida Jewish History Month and a speech that can be delivered by anyone for an organization, congregation, school or civic group can be found on the museum’s web site, www. jewishmuseum.com.

In addition, organizations interested in having a guest speaker for Florida Jewish History Month should contact the Museum at 305- 672-5044, ext. 3180.