September 30, 2005

Art History

We are blessed in Boston to have, at two ends of the city, two truly remarkable Jewish-themed exhibits - one tracking the 350 years of Jews in America and the other highlighting the Jewish salonieres who, from the late 1700s through the end of World War II, opened their homes and their minds to the influence of art, literature, music and other cultural developments that flourished here and abroad in those years.

Down by the city's waterfront at the J. Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, the American Jewish Historical Society has mounted "From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America." Among its treasured artifacts are a letter from the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, R.I., to President George Washington and his letter in response - testimony to the importance of New England's early Jews in the history of this country.

Just over the Brighton border at .Boston College's Mc-Mullen Museum of Art in Chestnut Hill, the New Center for Arts and Culture has organized "The Power of Conversation: Jewish Women and Their Salons." The exhibit looks at the world inhabited by the likes of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Gertrude Stein and Anna Kuliscioff and the conversation they encouraged in their art, music and political salons in Europe's grand cities of yesteryear.

In a city that takes price in being known as the Athens of America, this Jewish cultural bounty this fall season deserves not only our appreciation but our admiration. We urge you to go see for yourself.

Back