An Israeli art dealer is bringing in more than 1,200 oil paintings, watercolors, etchings and sculptures to Carmel this coming weekend, Nov. 1-3.
The rich collection, which includes work of world-renowned artist Marc Chagall, won’t be found in a private gallery or a prestigious museum. It will be displayed and sold instead in Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, 3085 W. 116th St.
“We are very excited about the gallery coming to Shaarey Tefilla,” said Corey Freedman, who is chairing the event. “The fact that it is a sale and not an auction opens up the event to many more people. The art pieces that will be available starting at $40 and goes up into a much higher-end but this forum allows for beginners and seasoned art collectors to add pieces to their homes or offices.”
These three pieces – “Flowers,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Wedding” – are only a sample of more than 1,200 pieces of art available for purchase this weekend at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla’s art gallery. (Photos provided)
The 116th Street synagogue, just west of University High School, is hosting the exhibit on contemporary Israeli art, organized by Safrai Fine Art Gallery of Jerusalem. The show is a fund-raiser for the congregation’s religious education programming, which will get all of the admission money to the VIP event and percentage of each sale. But that is not the only aim.
“This is a cultural event,” gallery owner Menachem Safrai stated. Safrai, whose grandfather established the gallery is 1935, will spend next week unpacking the paintings and sculptures from over 100 boxes within Shaarey Tefilla’s social hall. “When you talk about Israeli art, some people picture a portrait of a rabbi sitting at a pray table. But there is much more to it what will be there than that.”
Israel is a nation of immigrants and this art reflects their diversity. The exhibit includes brightly colored abstract paintings, satiny watercolors and impressionistic images. A number of the artist’s work has been displayed in the United States universities and museums, as well as internationally.
The exhibit and sale will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
About Shaarey Tefilla
Congregation Shaarey Tefilla is a Conservative Jewish synagogue with a commitment to traditional Judaism. It is a family-oriented synagogue dedicated to the culture, education, the community in Torah, and helping to enrich the community it is a part of in Carmel.