Community Art Workshops Jewish Symbols and Identity

Each of the four sessions focuses on one Jewish symbol and is a stand-alone class. You can attend one, two, three, or four sessions and make one, two, three, or four symbols to submit to the project. 

Classes delve into the historical, ritual, and cultural aspects of the symbols. Each symbol also represents a specific facet of Judaism and Jewish practice:

Oct 7 / 12:00 pm / Jewish Star – Am Yisrael, Jewish Peoplehood
Nov 4 / 12:00 pm / Torah – Synagogue
Dec 2 / 12:00 pm / Kiddush Cup – Home
Jan 20 / 12:00 pm / Pomegranate – Israel

Each of the four sessions are one hour long and follow this schedule:
Learning with Rabbi Koffman – 20 minutes
Art direction and sketching with Ellen – 10 minutes
Optional time to continue working on your symbol with Ellen - 30 minutes

In addition to the above sessions, we will have four sessions where you can complete any work that you were unable to finish during the regular class time. 

January 27 / 6:30-7:30 pm / 87th Street
January 28 / 12:00-1:00 / 87th Street
February 2 /  8:00-9:00 pm / Online
February 3 / 12:00-1:00 pm / Online
The zoom link for all sessions remains the same. 

Click on the links below to access the templates:

• Jewish Star
• Torah Scroll
• Kiddush Cup
• Pomegranate

Choose one or more of the templates for each symbol.

Print on white cardstock or paper. Cardstock is highly recommended because it gives you a better working surface.

Work within the thick black borders. The background will not be included in the final image.

This list is comprehensive, but you only need to get the supplies that you are interested in using.

Sketching Your Ideas:

• Pencil
• Eraser
• Copy paper

Drawing:

• Colored pencils
• Markers/Sharpies
• Oil pastels

Painting:

• Watercolors
• Brushes
• Water cup
• Paper towels

Collage:

• Construction paper (solid colors and/or patterns and textures)
• Glue stick
• Scissors 

We are collecting only the originals of the symbols you create.
Photographs are not accepted. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please do not fold your artwork. Keep it flat and protected by placing it in a 9" x 12" envelope, along with a cardboard sheet.

On the back of your symbol, write your first and last name, and the city, state/province, and country where it was made.
Ex: Ellen Alt, New York, NY, USA

In-person drop-off:
Place your completed works in an envelope or folder marked "Jewish Symbols Project" and hand it to security at Park Avenue Synagogue, 50 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128.

Mailing:
Mail your completed symbol to:
Park Avenue Synagogue
Jewish Symbols Project
C/O Patricia Ezewoko
50 East 87th Street
New York, NY 10128

The deadline for receiving all symbols is February 22, 2027.