Sara Novenson is well know for her Jewish folk art and Women of the Bible series of limited edition prints. Since 1992 she has lectured and taught in synagogues, churches, museums and organizations (including Hadassah) throughout the US and Europe. This blog will address Sara’s personal journey as a Jewish woman and artist, and how and why she began the body of Jewish work, how her spirituality has affected her art, and how it has all amazingly come full circle, and more!
May 4, 2010
My Father’s Tallit and the Great Women of the Bible
Now I had an even greater way to honor my father. I would have my milestone project photographed on his tallit. DESPITE the fact that my father was a man, he carried the traits of the Great Women of the Bible more so than many women I know. He had the power of prayer and faith of Hannah, the fullness of the love that Rachael carried, the closeness to G-d that Sarah embodied and the great generosity of spirit that emanated from Rebecca . My father sent me to craft classes from the age of four, the Art Students League in the summers of high school (we lived nearby, I took the subway), and the School of Visual Arts in NYC for my BFA. He was an artist in his own right. He stretched my canvases for me, framed my art, and together we went shopping for my first easel. My fondest memory of the synagogue as a child (truthfully there are few) is sitting beside my father as he sang the psalms with joy in his voice, an aura of love and faith surrounding him (like Sarah) draped in his tallis. When the children’s services were over, I was proudly welcomed in the seat he always saved for me beside him.
I have been blessed with a life full of mystical synchronicities, precognitive dreams and full circles. When I finally saw the finished photo of my Great Women of the Bible Book sitting on my fathers tallis, I was moved to tears. It is an offering to his beautiful and gentle spirit. An offering of love and gratitude that I was fortunate enough to have had a father who himself embodied the spirit of the Women of the Bible. If it were not for him the project would never have actualized. It was perfect.
Men who embody the traits of the Great Women of the Bible still do exist. I found one. We have been together for many years. He creates my gold leaf frames with the very same tools my beloved father used to frame my art.
