Located in the Koret Learning Center hall, the Art Gallery at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center is committed to showcasing the works of talented Jewish artists as well as presenting exhibits that explore Jewish values, themes and ideas. Our exhibits are designed to stimulate personal thought and lively conversations among our members and guests. Exhibits are free and open to the public!
January 9 – March 25, 2025
Artists on Antisemitism III, presented in collaboration with Jewish Art Salon and 81 Leonard Gallery, is a survey of Jewish artists’ responses to the current global surge in antisemitism. Among artists of diverse nationalities, familial histories, and levels of religiosity, a duality emerges: some cautiously reflect on traumatic narratives, while others move forward with courage and optimism. The works on view span a spectrum between these perspectives, with many exploring the nuanced gray areas in between. This is the third iteration of Artists on Antisemitism, first presented at 81 Leonard Gallery (New York, NY) in the summer of 2024 and later at the Hyams Museum of Judaica at Temple Beth Sholom (Roslyn Heights, NY) in the fall of 2024.
Remembrance, a core Jewish value, serves as a unifying thread throughout the exhibition, though the approaches to memorialization vary. While many artists look to the past as a cautionary tale, others venerate individuals whose strength and Jewish pride inspire the community today. Isaac Ben Aharon’s Our Voice – Ambassador Lipstadt pays tribute to Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the historian who confronted Holocaust deniers and now serves as the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. Leah Raab’s Memories evokes the weight of history and the urgency of remembrance, referencing both Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, and hostage posters through an abstract composition. Similarly, Susan May Tell’s photograph Requiem 10, taken at Auschwitz, hauntingly documents belongings left behind by victims of the Nazi regime. Goldie Gross’ Morning News addresses a more recent antisemitic act disguised as anti-Zionist activism: the vandalization of Brooklyn Museum director Anne Pasternak’s home. The graffiti incorporates symbols used in Hamas propaganda to mark Israeli targets, echoing the Nazi methods of identifying political prisoners. Rooted in abstraction, Tobi Kahn’s work contemplates the essence of memory, suggesting “the possibility of loss, an abrupt reversal of safety,” rather than depicting a specific event.
The exhibition also celebrates the vibrancy of Jewish life, though often tinged with caution. Dan Harris’ paper-cut collage My Friend in Crown Heights depicts a tender moment of fatherly love, underscored by the tension of openly displaying one’s faith while recognizing the risks it entails. The figure in Harris’ work carries pepper spray as a precaution. Other artists turn to spirituality and folklore to envision protective measures. Maxwell Bauman’s Emergency Golem reimagines the 16th-century legend of Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel’s golem, crafted to defend the Jewish ghetto from pogroms. Bauman’s modern interpretation, constructed from LEGOs and encased in glass like a fire hydrant, combines humor and optimism, suggesting the Jewish people’s readiness for challenges. Yona Verwer’s Star Amulet merges the imagery of an oversized Star of David necklace and an armor shield, inviting wearers to embody strength despite the historical necessity for protection.
Featured Artists: Maxwell Bauman, Isaac Ben-Aharon, Siona Benjamin, Diane Britt, Goldie Gross, Dan Harris, Jeremy Kagan, Tobi Kahn, Akiva Listman, Lenore Mizrachi Cohen, Carol Oster, Nancy Pantirer, Mark Podwal, Leah Raab, Hannah Rothbard, Mira Sasson, Irina Sheynfeld, Joel Silverstein, Susan May Tell, Yona Verwer.
Curated by Kimberly Gordon, Hannah Rothbard, Nancy Pantirer, Yona Verwer, and Judith Joseph.
Presented in partnership with the Osher Marin JCC
Presented in Partnership with the Osher Marin JCC and JCCSF.
Check out: A Look Inside Artists on Antisemitism III – Virtual Gallery Tour
Missed the opportunity? Watch the recording here!
</p>
Upcoming Events
A History of Hatred: The Ever-Present Threat of Antisemitism
Mondays: February 3, 10, 24, and March 3, 17, 31
Time: 12:00 – 1:15 PM
Antisemitism has been called a virus that mutates, adapting to the ideologies of its time—religious, racist, or political. In the wake of the October 7 massacre and the ongoing war in Gaza, it is more critical than ever to understand the historical roots and recurring patterns of this hatred. This six-part course traces the evolution of antisemitism, from its origins in ancient religious conflicts to its modern manifestations on the far right, the far left, and beyond. Join us to uncover the forces behind today’s antisemitism and deepen your historical perspective.
Thanks to a generous subsidy through the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, this course is offered for $50 per learner.
Join us for Screams Before Silence, a 60-minute presenter-led documentary film. Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta and founder of LeanIn.org, interviews eyewitnesses, released hostages, first responders, medical and forensic experts, and survivors of the Hamas massacres.Following the screening, a discussion will be led by Naomi Tucker, Founding Executive Director of Shalom Bayit.
Teen Resilience Roundtable: Raising Jewish Teens with
Confidence & Pride in an Age of Heightened Antisemitism
April 17th
Time: 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Online In partnership with Peninsula Temple Sholom and Contra Costa Midrasha
With Gloria Moskowitz Sweet, LCSW, Education Specialist at the JFCS Holocaust Center
Empowering Jewish teens to embrace their identity with pride is more important than ever. Gloria Moskowitz Sweet will provide practical tools for supporting your teen through antisemitic encounters, effective strategies for working with schools, and valuable resources for fostering resilience. Learn how to help your teen respond to challenges while maintaining strong connections to their Jewish heritage and community.
This is session 3 of 4, of a series beginning February 11th,
register below and attend all for $36.
Please save the date for Sunday April 27th for the North Peninsula Jewish Collaboration’s annual Yom HaShoah commemoration. More information to follow.
The PJCC is immensely grateful to our visionary donors.
The PJCC is proud to be a part of the Koret Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood.
We are honored to present this program through the Taube Center for Jewish Peoplehood at the PJCC.
Programs at the PJCC are made possible in part through generous support from our donors. To learn more or make a contribution, visit pjcc.org/donate.
