By Sharon Wisch-Ray

Artist Julie Lazarus to exhibit her menorah paintings at Beth-El

Artist Julie Lazarus, who has exhibited her paintings, prints and glass sculptures from California to Italy, will present a special Hanukkah exhibit of her menorah paintings in the Art Alcove at Beth-El Congregation. The exhibit officially opens Friday, Dec. 5, with a reception following Shabbat services.

Lazarus’s menorah paintings — created with oil paints on paper — are abstractions in which the menorah, while recognizable, looks kinetic, as if in motion. “These paintings are about light, movement, color, and the love of the holiday,” says Lazarus, who has been painting menorahs, on and off, for the past 30 years. “The feeling I have when I am making these paintings is of watching the Hanukkah candles burn, watching the interplay of light and color on the table.”
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Long Island, Lazarus has a masters in painting and print making from the University of Tulsa. Since 1996, she has been working collaboratively in Venice with glass-blowers to transform her two-dimensional paintings into 3-D. Closer to home, Lazarus’s work is shown at Fort Worth’s William Campbell Gallery and at San Francisco’s Micaela Gallery.
When Beth-El constructed its present building in 1999, Lazarus chaired the art and Judaic symbolism committee. When the synagogue was completed, she gave the congregation more than a dozen paintings from her menorah series. Some of these colorful abstracts hang in the corridor leading to the rabbi’s study. Others brighten the secondary-school hallway in the Education Wing.
The menorah exhibit will remain on display through the end of February. Lazarus and her husband, Peter, moved to Fort Worth in 1985. Their three children — Al, Carl and Anna — grew up at Beth-El and remain congregants at the Temple. Anna and her husband, Jeff Caplan, have two children — Maya, 4½, and Gabe, 7 — who attend Beth-El’s Religious School.
The tradition of a designated “art space” at the temple dates back to the early 1990’s when a corner of the parlor at the old synagogue became a rotating space to showcase fine art by members of the local Jewish community.

Chabad to host private kosher wne tasting Dec. 7

Friends of Chabad of Fort Worth and Tarrant County Chabad of Fort worth will host a private, kosher, wine tasting from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at the home of Orly and Bentzi Baynglass in Colleyville.
Wine selections, pairings and instructional demonstration will be orchestrated by Sommelier Zsolt Varga. Paired hors d’oeuvres will be designed and prepared by Chef Aaron Boardman. All wine and hors d’oeuvres will be strictly kosher (wines will be mevushal). Seating is limited, so please RSVP early.
There is no cost for the event, but donations are encouraged. RSVPs are required; please contact Eric Palmer at 972-523-6931 no later than Wednesday, Dec. 3 with the name and number of attendees.

Hillel Fair

The Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County hosted its first Hillel Fair Nov. 16. It was well-attended by students, parents and Hillels alike. Hillel representatives from The University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas Christian University, University of Houston, University of North Texas and The University of Texas were on hand to introduce themselves, answer questions and hand out Hillel swag. Diane Kleinman spearheaded the program. Speakers were Rebecca Gerbert, Rachel Rudberg, Monica Braverman and Eli Holley. The Beth-El Brotherhood for catered.

This event was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth & Tarrant County with financial support from the Dan Danciger/Fort Worth Hebrew Day School Supporting Foundation and the FW Community Council for Hillel, Inc.

Save the Dates

• Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.-Hanukkah party at Ahavath Sholom.
• Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.-The Kornbleet Scholar at Ahavath Sholom.
• Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m.-Havdallah Sing-In at Beth Shalom.