For Jews in Europe, a century of upheaval

By Ben Jacobson

A new art exhibit in Westchester takes viewers on a visual roller coaster ride of emotion, documenting 100 years of Jewish life in Europe, from the days before the Nazis, the atrocities experienced during the Holocaust and the hardships in creating the State of Israel.

"An Historical Chronicle — The Life of the European Jew in the 20th Century" includes the works of 10 artists, which hang on the walls of Krasdale Food's White Plains Gallery. (The show opened earlier in the summer at Krasdale's other gallery in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx.)

In order to see every piece, visitors have to walk through offices, cubicles and conferences rooms. The eccentric gallery space is the brainchild of Sigmund Balka, vice president of public and cultural affairs and general counsel of Krasdale Foods and director and chief operating officer of Krasdale Galleries. Twentyone years ago he pitched the idea to the company's chief executive officer, saying, "Blank walls produce blank minds." And so Krasdale Galleries were born.

"Our goal is to intellectually inspire the people that come here in a business situation," Mr. Balka said.

But this particular exhibit has another purpose, and some of the works, on loan from Hebrew Union College, are from Mr. Balka's own collection.

"The direct victims of the Holocaust are starting to get older and within not too many years no one will be alive," Mr. Balka explained. "The 'never again' saying can only be approached by education. It is shocking how few young people actually know about the Holocaust."

The exhibit is divided into three parts: "Shtetl," "Shoah" and "the Land of Israel."

Shtetl examines Jewish life before the Holocaust through the photographs of Roman Vishniac, a survivor. Of the 6,000 photographs he took during those years, only 2,000 survived.

The snapshots — many of which were taken in secrecy because cameras were forbidden by the Nazis and Orthodox Jews shied away from photos — offer a look at lower-class life in the shtetls. A tailor sewing, a rabbi teaching and a child hard at work are just some of the images on display. With the exception of one photograph taken during Kristallnacht — the night when Nazis pillaged and looted Jewish businesses and temples — many are simple, almost joyous, moments in time.

Mr. Vishniac's photographs are in stark contrast to the grim and ghoulish work of Aaron Morgan featured in the Shoah — or Holocaust — section.

"Deportation — Alone in the Crowd" shows faceless, almost alien-like beings, defined most prominently by the yellow Star of David on their chests.

"HOLOKAUSTON-Consumed by Fire" depicts burning corpses placed together like pieces to a puzzle on a flame-colored background. The painting's title is a play on the original meaning of the word Holocaust — a sacrifice consumed by fire.

The last section focuses on the State of Israel: its founding, its founders and its modern cities. Israeli artist Tamar Hirschil, whose father was killed in the Holocaust, exhibits four paintings, all of which depict modern Israeli life as "in constant turmoil," according to Mr. Balka. The paintings have a sense of urgency and speed to them enhanced by streaking lines, bright colors and lots of detail.

Speaking at the gallery, Mr. Balka said he hopes that the exhibit will help open more eyes to hatred. "The world will not be better unless we make it," he said. "It is easy to sit and think something is bad, but it is hard to go and repair it."

'An Historical Chronicle — The Life of the European Jew in the 20th Century' is on display now through Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Krasdale Food's White Plains Gallery, 65 West Red Oak Lane. For more information or to schedule a visit, call 718- 378-1100 ext. 2125.

This is part of the August 23, 2007 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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