The Villager Voice
In 2016, as part of a visit to Prague in the Czech Republic, Debbie and I visited Staronová Synagogue, which translates as the “Old-New Synagogue.” It is the oldest extant synagogue in Europe and is closely associated with its cemetery which sits right outside the door. One of the most memorable features of the synagogue is the list of citizens who were gathered up during World War II and sent to the Terezin Camp, at the time considered one of the most “humane” of concentration camps, though this was a bald-faced lie.
I was reminded of the visit this past Sunday as Debbie and I attended the opening of a powerful art show at Chester’s Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek. It features the work of artist Mark Podwal, specifically his collection “All This Has Come Upon Us: Art For Terezin.” It consists of a collection of 42 watercolor prints tracing the history of antisemitism and acts of violence against Jews through history. It includes works depicting the repression of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Abomination of the Temple in 167 BCE, Emperor Titus’ destruction of the temple in 70 CE (attested to in the gospels and New Testament letters), the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, Kristallnacht, and several depictions of the Holocaust. Each print includes an accompanying verse from the book of the Psalms to give it a deeper context. The show runs until December 20, and I strongly recommend it to you – you will need to call the temple before you go, but admission is free. If you do go, please let me know what you think – it was a jarring experience for me.
On a lighter note, thank you to our Deacons and to all who made last Sunday’s picnic such a festive one. Several said it was the best one yet, and the food, the fellowship and the weather made for a perfect Rally Day and start to our “new” church year. Many thanks to all!
Here are the links to Sunday’s bulletin and service: