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Siona Benjamin, Painter

Women of the Book: Jewish Women Recording, Reflecting, Revisioning, is a midrashic (interpretive) scroll based on the form and content of a traditional Torah scroll and created on 54 parchment panels (the traditional number of panels in a Torah scroll) by 54 Jewish women artists from around the world. This is an inter-national, collaborative artwork inspired by the historic scribing of the first Torah scroll by women.

Women of the Book acknowledges the centrality of women's voices in the texts of our lives. During this pivotal time in Jewish history when women are, for the first time, emerging as Torah scribes, we are compelled to examine what it means to come to Torah as a woman, to come to writing, to interpreting, to telling through the experience of being a woman. Women of the Book is taking this historic moment one step further by allowing the voice of women to enter into and emerge anew from the ancient text.

To apply to be a part of this historical project please CLICK HERE

Here is what has been said about Women of the Book:

"[Women of the Book] sounds absolutely phenomenal and certainly a very important opportunity for people, both artists and viewers around the world, to be sensitized to new and fresh perspectives on the text." Bernie Pucker, owner Pucker Gallery, Boston, MA.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS HAVE SHARED:

"I explore the women of the Bible and bring them forward to combat the wars and violence of today in a Midrash (interpretation) of intricate paintings. I am a Bene Israel Jew originally from India, now living in the US." Siona Benjamin, Painter

"Each parsha (weekly Torah portion) presents a new way to interpret contemporary events and new ways of responding to them. I am especially drawn to the women of the Tanach(Bible) for their wisdom and strength. . ." Andi Arnovitz, Printmaker

"My identity as a Jewish woman is core to who I am and all I do. Biblical narrative and its interpretations provide the paradigms for puzzling through my understanding of human behavior and relationships on every level. Rachel, Hagar, Miriam, Hanah, Ruth and Naomi, Eve and Lilith have all appeared in my work…Participating in the collaborative project would be a highlight of my creative experience."
Alice Levinson, Textile Artist

"Since making Aliyah in 1994, the landscape and spiritscape of Israel has had an enormous influence on my art. That and a women’s viewpoint have been the central essence in my art, the attempt to find places where the Political and Spiritual meet. This Political and Spiritual agenda is emblematic of Torah wisdom." Judith Margolis, Painter/Printmaker