Members of the committee organizing the art show to stock the food pantry at JFS gather around sisters Julie Sirotkin, front left, and Erika Leviant, whose family owns L&M Art Gallery, which is hosting the show.
Photos by Elaine Durbach
Artists in show
Artists participating in the art show and sale at L&M Art Gallery to benefit the JFS food pantry include: Linda Aldrich, Nancy Asher, Kat Block, Joe Bradney, Amie Goad, Diana Gonzalez-Gandolfi, Al Martin, Moshe Monzon, Nancy Pantirer, Joyce Parkinson, Shira Gabriela Resnick, Joanie Schwarz Rosenthal, Sharon Sayegh, Dario Scholis, Marian Slepian, Ron Sohn, Mimi Stadler, and Florence Weisz.
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March 12, 2009
The group art show opening this Sunday, March 15, at the L&M Art Gallery in Elizabeth is not just the fruit of an idea planted last summer; it has roots that go all the way back to 1956.
Sisters Julie Sirotkin of Scotch Plains and Erika Leviant of Edison know what it’s like to need help. After they fled to the United States from Hungary with their parents and a third sister in the wake of the communist revolution, Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey helped the family find their feet.
They have stayed in close touch with the agency, and so they know just how crucial a role the JFS is playing as the economy has worsened. Its food pantry at its Westfield Avenue location in Elizabeth is regularly supplying more people than ever before with boxes of food every month, and the influx of people seeking emergency help has tripled.
So, when the sisters were approached with an idea to help stock the pantry, they jumped at the chance. Potter Mimi Stadler and painter Nancy Asher were interested in exhibiting their work at the L&M gallery, which the sisters’ family has owned for 50 years. Started by their parents, Leo and Magda Pfeifer, it is now managed by Sirotkin’s son Michael. The two artists suggested a group show not just to sell art, but as a way to help JFS fund the pantry.
They all agreed that 15 percent of the sale price of the artworks would be donated to the agency.
When they approached JFS executive director Tom Beck, he recalled — with a broad smile — that he “welcomed the idea with open arms.”
Another 16 artists from around the region have joined the effort. Their work will be on display — and for sale — at the gallery at 124 Elmora Ave. The show will open with a “Meet Our Artists” event on Sunday, March 15, from 2 to 5 p.m., with a patrons’ gathering at 1. Asher’s sister, flutist Andrea Brachfeld and klezmer musicians David Schiff and David Goldbarb of the band Tsu Fil Duvids, will perform.
The show continues after that until March 27. It will include a broad array of works, from photography and painting to fiber art, pottery, illuminated texts, and silver Judaica. Prices will vary from around $20 to a few thousand dollars.
‘They like the art’
A painting by Nancy Asher and pots by Mimi Stadler are among the works in the exhibition to benefit the JFS food pantry.
Individuals and business owners in the community have been rallying to support the food pantry. The Supermarket Sweep Foodraiser organized by the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey will take place at the ShopRite in Clark next weekend. At the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth, the children celebrated the 100th day of school by bringing in boxes and cans of food.
But the idea of an art show was something that hadn’t been tried for decades. Longtime JFS supporter and board member Elaine Hochheiser, who has spearheaded regular food collections, said the last one she remembered was organized by Hadassah.
Discussing the community’s response to the idea of the art show, committee members argued amiably about whether the greater appeal lay in the pleasure of seeing high quality art, or the notion of people going hungry. “It’s the combination,” said Toby Goldberger, who has been one of the agency’s most dedicated fund-raisers. “People are very disturbed by the idea that there are so many people going hungry. You can’t be here at the agency and not see yet another person coming through the door to ask for help. And they also like the idea of the art.”
It was Goldberger’s task to invite people to sponsor the show. Rather than the usual “gold” or “silver” levels of giving, they gave them famous Jewish artists’ names. She announced at the final committee meeting that there were a number of givers at the Modigliani level — $5,000 — as well as others at the Chagall, Agam, Pissarro, and Oppenheim levels.
Local businesses owners have responded. Those supporting the show either financially or with donated products include Dunkin Donuts, Edible Arrangements, Elizabeth One Stop, Kedem Wine, Manhattan Chocolate, Crown Bank, and Elizabeth Nursing and Rehabilitation.
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