generously supported by
In fall 2023, Pardes educators and local Jerusalem artists embarked on shared learning journeys to explore the intersection of art and Jewish text.
Their meetings were abruptly halted in the aftermath of the devastation on October 7th.
A month later, each pair reconvened to continue their learning.
We are honored to share a peek into their powerful conversations
Hadassa Goldvicht and Leon Morris
Andi Arnovitz and Nechama Goldman Barash
Hadassa Goldvicht is a graduate of the School of Visual Art, New York and the Rhode Island School of Design. Goldvicht works in various media including video, photography, installation and print. She exhibited in solo and group shows in various venues around the world, including The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Ein Harod Museum, The Jewish Museum in New York, Marginal Utility Gallery in Philadelphia, Tate Modern/ No Soul for Sale.
In the last few years she stayed as an artist in residence at the Mamuta – Daniela Passal Art and Media Center in Jerusalem, LMCC in Manhattan and NYU Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture Workspace Residency. Hadassa currently lives and works in Jerusalem.
Andi LaVine Arnovitz was born and raised in the United States. She earned her BFA from Washington University in St. Louis and immigrated to Israel in 1999. Her work has been shown in Europe, Israel, Canada, China, the USA and Eastern Europe; as well as her work is part of many collections including the US Library of Congress, The Israel National Library, The Smithsonian Museum, The Museum of the Diaspora and other museums in the United States and Israel, foreign ministries, foundations, and private collections.
Rabbi Leon Morris is the President of Pardes. Ordained from Hebrew Union College where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, he worked extensively with the Jewish community of India when he served as a Jewish Service Corps volunteer for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. He was also a Mandel Jerusalem Fellow. Leon has taught at Orthodox, Conservative and Reform institutions and is a regular contributor to the Jewish, US and Israeli press. He is an editor of the new Reform High Holy Day machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh and is a contributor to Jewish Theology in Our Time: A New Generation Explores the Foundations and Future of Jewish Belief (edited by Elliot Cosgrove, Jewish Lights, 2010).
Leon was the founding director of the Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Emanu-El (now the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center). In 1999, Leon co-founded the Artists’ Beit Midrash at the Skirball Center of Temple Emanu-El with artist Toby Kahn. Before coming to Pardes, Leon served as a Vice President for Israel Programs at the Shalom Hartman Institute and was a faculty member at Hebrew Union College.
Leon lives in Jerusalem with his wife Dasee and their three children.
Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash is the Director of the Pardes Learning Seminar and teaches contemporary halakha and Talmud. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University, she studied at Matan’s Advanced Talmud Institute and received a master’s degree in Talmud at Bar-Ilan University. She is a graduate of Nishmat’s Yoetzet Halacha program and has been certified to teach brides before their weddings, as well as qualifying as a sex educator through Yahel and the Eden Center. She also studied for three years in Matan’s advanced halakha program, Hilkhata.
Nechama is an active member of Beit Hillel and participates in interfaith dialogue through Roots. She is currently working on a book dealing with matters of gender and halakha. Nechama lives in Gush Etzion with her family.
Oryan Galster Oren and Nechama Goldman Barash
In July of 2023, with generous support from the Jerusalem Foundation, the hAvRuTa: a Pardes Torah / Art Encounter Series began with a live event at Kol HaNeshama, featuring artist Oryan Galster Oren in conversation with Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash.
Oryan Galster Oren (b.1984) is a multidisciplinary artist who works in drawing, sculpture, installation, video and sound, based out of Teddy Artists’ Studios in Jerusalem. Her works deal with an internal investigation of existential human themes such as life and death, spirituality and materiality, sexuality and trauma, through material research with both abstract and symbolic expression.
Produced and directed by Ilana HaCohen
Filmed and edited by Amit Teresh
Event photography by Tzipora Lifschitz
The Jerusalem Foundation
Hansen House
Mamuta Art and Research Center
