--- title: Artists Discovering Israel Through Art description: Artists Discovering Israel Through Art image: https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_4910.jpg --- [![Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/JewishFederation_May2019/images/logo--color.svg)](https://jewishphilly.org/) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - - [Advocate](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/advocate/) - [Israel in the News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-in-the-news) - [Sign up for Israel Emergency Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails) - [Who We Are](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/) - 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She imagined an art history course for both Jews and non-Jews who had never been to Israel, in which participants would discover the country and its people, its shifting narratives and diversity, all through the lens of art. With the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Israel engagement grant, she was able to make that dream a reality. ![](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-Celebrating-in-the-Negev-1024x826.jpg) Across two Sundays, local artist and curator Cheryl Harper led the cohort of Philadelphia artists through a close examination of the work of esteemed Israeli artists. As they studied work from artists across disciplines, students discovered Israel’s rich history, political spectrum, culture and heritage. Says Cheryl, “That blend of experiences and expressions is *exactly* what creates the distinctly Israeli point of view.” ![](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Once-Upon-12x12-in_-oil-on-panel-2013-1024x1024.jpg) After the course, the artist participants couldn’t wait to get back to their studios to channel their experiences. When Rita saw the incredible work they had voluntarily created in response to the course, she was thrilled by the success of her experiment. “If I had asked those artists to make art about Israel before they were part of the program, they probably would have fallen into cliché,” Rita says. Instead, these pieces reveal a range of Israel’s facets, expressed through drawings, paintings, sculptures and stoneware. ![](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-POISED-736x1024.jpg) Beginning April 13, 2018, that artwork will be on display in “Making Israel Real” at The Temple Judea Museum in Elkins Park. The exhibit also features images from the United Jewish Appeal’s archives, adding historical context to these contemporary responses. Join us for the opening night reception, which will feature a discussion with Cheryl Harper and will run in coordination with that evening’s annual Israel Shabbat service. For more information, contact Rita Poley at tjmuseum@kenesethisrael.org. *Featured artwork courtesy of: Ana Rankin, Carla Lombardi, Dganit Zauberman and Leora Brecher.* Share [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.jewishphilly.org/making-israel-real&title=Artists%20Discovering%20Israel%20Through%20Art) [Share on Twitter](http://twitter.com/home?status=Artists%20Discovering%20Israel%20Through%20Art+https://blog.jewishphilly.org/making-israel-real) [Share by Email](mailto:?subject=Artists%20Discovering%20Israel%20Through%20Art&body=Artists%20Discovering%20Israel%20Through%20Art%20-%20https://blog.jewishphilly.org/making-israel-real) ### Sign up for the *Jewish Philly* E-Newsletter [Back to The Latest](https://blog.jewishphilly.org) [Tweets by JFedinPhilly](https://twitter.com/JFedinPhilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Find us on ![JFGP_KO_rgb](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JFGP_KO_rgb.png?width=300&height=84&name=JFGP_KO_rgb.png) Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Two Commerce Square 2001 Market Street, Suite 2300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 [215.832.0500](tel:1-215-832-0500) | [info@jewishphilly.org](mailto:info@jewishphilly.org) *The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia welcomes the participation of Jews across the religious spectrum, interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. 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