Mizel Museum

Sukkot: Ancient Roots: Contemporary Relevance

2011-09-27T14:42:00.001-06:00

The autumn harvest festival of Sukkot is named after the temporary shelter or hut (sukkah) in which Jewish people gather during this seven day celebration. It is a joyous festival that focuses our attention on the outdoors. Agricultural in origin, Sukkot is a thanksgiving for the bounty of nature. So often these days we hear phrases like “sustainable” and “living green.” For some of us, composting and recycling are part of our everyday habits. There are others who have never seen a farm.

When one delves into the complexities of a certain Jewish holiday or ritual, there is much to be gained intellectually and spiritually. The building of a sukkah is a symbolic physical act that reflects not only on Jewish history, but on present day concerns about our vulnerable earth. With indoor plumbing, clean running water, heat, air conditioning and grocery stores, which provide all the necessary items for sustenance, we are highly susceptible to quick complaint (kvetching in Yiddish) when ease is disrupted. Going outside to dwell in a sukkah for a few days reminds us that we are physical beings dependent on the laws of nature.

Two years ago, my family built a new sukkah. We researched and inquired, designed, planned and built our structure. Our modern, eclectic sukkah requires more help than our old one to construct, but after it is decorated, it is a thing of beauty that we look forward to dwelling in. When my fake vegetables and fruits, birds and artificial foliage get drenched from rain, pummeled with hail, or flattened with snow, I may get annoyed, but I am not missing the point.

Similarly, Mizel Museum is renovating its sukkah this year and is planning a first annual Sukkahpalooza! on Sunday, October 16. Join us for food, storytelling, art, and the creation of a Vegetable Band during a free day at the museum. Details at www.mizelmuseum.org/2011/09/sukkahpalooza/.

There is something wonderful about sitting in a sukkah that we want to share with our community, neighbors and friends. It feels good. You may have to sit on hard chairs, maybe on unlevel ground, and you may have to slap off an insect. Wind can blow debris on the food and sun rays find their way into your eyes. But it is outdoors with its earthy smell amid the golden colors of the season, the bounty of harvest on the table, a gathering of loved ones, friends and guests (ushpizin in Aramaic). This tradition reminds us of our temporary existence and the responsibility of insuring a future for younger generations.

Take a look at Sukkah City at www.sukkahcity.com. They are continuing “perhaps the world’s oldest architectural conversation” and encouraging exploration on “how little separates the world’s housed and housed-nots.” We can further this dialogue so the sukkah becomes a metaphor for greater care and attention to Tikkun Olam(healing the world).

By Penny Nisson
Jewish Education Coordinator

Mizel Museum: Art and Culture in Israel: Gottesman Etching Center at Kibbutz Cabri

2011-07-27T13:15:00.000-06:00

Travel to Israel with the Mizel Museum October 23 through November 2, 2011.

Art and Culture in Israel: Off the Beaten Path, Ein Hod Artist Colony

2011-07-15T14:53:00.004-06:00

Our Art and Culture in Israel: Off the Beaten Path itinerary takes us on an exploration of art in Northern Israel; among other interesting places we'll visit the Ein Hod artist colony. A communal settlement and artists’ village at the foot of Mount Carmel and overlooking the Mediterranean coast, Ein Hod boasts residents who are engaged in all areas of art from painting, pottery and jewelry-making, to literature and theater. The village is quite impressive in that many artists support themselves with their art -- in addition to selling their work many run workshops and educational activities.

Ein Hod became an artists’ colony in 1953. The driving spirit behind the project was Marcel Janco, an acclaimed Dada artist, who kept the village from being demolished by the security forces and convinced the government to let him build an artists’ colony there. Janco, born in Bucharest, Romania, was one of the founders of the Dada movement, established in 1916 at Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, Switzerland, by a group of exiled poets, painters and philosophers who were opposed to war, aggression and the changing world culture. In 1922, Janco returned to Romania, where he gained fame as a painter and architect. In 1941, fleeing the Nazis, he moved to what became Israel, and was one of the founders of the New Horizons Group (1948). He was awarded the Israel Prize in 1967. The Janco-Dada Museum, which opened in 1983, features Janco’s work and explores the history of the Dada movement. Museums, art galleries, and artist studios abound and we'll have scheduled visits as well as free time to independently explore many of them.

Art and Culture in Israel: Gottesman Etching Center at Kibbutz Cabri

2011-07-08T14:23:00.007-06:00

Gottesman Etching Center, Kibbutz Cabri

Our travels in Israel on October 23-Nov. 2, 2011, will take us to Kibbutz Cabri for a print workshop at the Gottesman Etching Center. The Gottesman Etching Center is Located in a distinctive Western Galilee landscape overlooking mountains and sea, it is a venue for artists from Israel and abroad to produce etchings, while also attracting the art-loving public for a first hand view of etching techniques. So we'll be viewing the prints of celebrated Israeli artists and then trying our own hands at the etching techniques of this school.

In 1996, Rachel and Dov Gottesman, art collectors who are actively involved in the fields of plastic art and music in Israel and abroad, arrived here for the first time, marking the beginning of the tie and the friendship forged by the Gottesmans with the Workshop staff and the community in Cabri. In 2000, following a meeting in New York with the American artist Jim Dine - sculptor, photographer and master printmaking artist, they initiated a master class encounter in the Etching Workshop in Kibbutz Cabri, where, together with Jim Dine, they worked with 12 Israeli artists for a period of 10 days.

This successful project led to the next one - the Artist's Portfolios Project published by Gottesman. The first portfolio in the project was Ofer Lellouche's "Nikanor Gates". Lellouche had made the first contact between the Gottesmans and the Workshop. Since then, over 20 portfolios by various Israeli artists have been produced.

In 2006, the Gottesman family initiated the expansion of the etching workshop and, in collaboration with Kibbutz Cabri, built a new structure which, in addition to a work space, contains two galleries that exhibit the works produced in the workshop.

For inspiration and ideas for my own etching, I'm starting to view the works of the center's artists!

Contact me for information about the Mizel Museum's Israel Trip, gkolber@mizelmuseum.org

Art and Culture in Israel- Nalaga'at Center

2011-07-01T14:58:00.004-06:00

Have you heard that the Mizel Museum has crafted a one-of-a-kind art and culture trip to Israel? The trip is scheduled for October 23- November 2, 2011 and we're currently taking reservations!

The itinerary is distinct from other trips to Israel in that an Israeli insider, our tour guide Ayelet Danielle Aldouby, has carefully selected destinations -- art studios, collections and galleries -- that are off the beaten path. Those who feel inspired to make art will have the opportunity to participate in several hands on art workshops, too.

Almost immediately upon arrival we'll be propelled outside of our American comfort zone to experience the extraordinary Nalaga'at Center, where we'll eat dinner in the dark while watching and listening to blind and deaf theater performers. The Nalaga’at (meaning, "do touch") Center was founded on the basic belief that every human being has the right to contribute to the society he lives in. So it is a place for deaf people, blind people, deaf-blind people, and the seeing and hearing public to meet and conduct an artistic, experiential, cultural and egalitarian dialogue. In learning about the Center, I read testimonial after testimonial, of how truly awe-inspiring the performance and experience at Nalaga'at is.

If the idea of eating dinner and watching a performance in the dark sounds slightly distressing to you, you're not alone. The premise of the Nalaga'at Center is based on that very probability, and they assure you that your experience will be only positive and maybe even transforming. They tell us, "The Nalaga’at Center enables the visiting public to connect with the difference and deficiency inherent in each and every one of us, and develops values of attentiveness, observation, and tolerance that lead to personal and social change and acceptance of the different from a position of power and strength"

Personally I'm looking forward to resting my eyes and letting my nose and taste buds do the work. When you see me with a spot on my shirt, you'll know where it came from.

There's Still Time to Register for Creative Journeys Summer Camps at the Mizel Museum

2010-06-16T12:50:00.006-06:00

In the mind of a child, imagination can turn a cardboard box into a cow, and a blanket into a desert tent. Imagination can also see the universe around and above us, inspire, engage learning about sculpture, music, drama ...even learning about how to produce a radio show.

Kids will be breaking out of the box, and using their imagination to turn this summer's camp experience into exciting and imaginative days of discovery at the Mizel Museum. The Mizel Museum gives children an educational experience that lets them think outside the box by bringing cultural adventures to life in creative ways.

Week-long day camps from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm are available for children 3-years-old to age 12 with an after camp program that ends at 5:30. Creative Journeys is scheduled during the summer break, beginning June 1 until August 20, 2010 with MazelTot.org discounts available, scholarship opportunities and creative journeys with artists-in-residence that kids won't want to miss.

Engage in these unique opportunities to culturally enrich your children with Artist-In-Residence/Mentors that will inspire and encourage a new understanding and appreciation of art with professional artists. The Mizel Museum provides the perfect opportunity for young children to play and learn from each other in a safe and nurturing environment. Best of all the children will beat the boredom while parents enjoy some free time! Call 303-394-9993, Ext. 103 to register, or email jcnadav@mizelmuseum.org. Please ask about our after camp program when registering.

1st ANNUAL EXHIBITION, BEST OF THE MMAA--METAV PRESENTED BY MMAA AND NIZA KNOLL GALLERY

2010-06-09T17:15:00.003-06:00

June 2010 – The Best of the MMAA—Metav Exhibition opens at the Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Drive in Denver on Thursday, June 10, 2010 through July 5, 2010. An artist’s reception at the opening of the exhibit will be held at the gallery on Thursday, June 10 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

The Best of the MMAA—Metav Exhibit features original work in mixed media, painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, fine jewelry and photography by local and national artists who comprise the Mizel Museum Artist Alliance. The Mizel Museum Artist Alliance continues its mission as an artist-centered, membership-driven organization fostering communication, promoting the art of its members, and supporting the interaction with the community of Jewish artists.

MMAA members were asked to work in various works for this juried exhibition. In a collaborative display of diverse perspective with a wide-range of talent, the group exhibit delivers a unique body of work fashioned from various materials, and media in a variety of artistic styles.

Sponsored by the Mizel Museum Artist Alliance and the Niza Knoll Gallery, artists have contributed innovative examples to the exhibit that the juried show considers a portrayal of metav, or the best works of art. “The Mizel Museum Artist Alliance is proud to sponsor the best work of our amazing artists,” says Arel Mishory. “The jurors will be choosing the art for a coherent, exciting, and professional looking show of our best work.”

An artist workshop, “Painting with Oils on Paper,” is offered with Ivy Delon. Ivy Delon graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado in 1977, and worked as a graphic designer for five years. Her interest in painting was awakened in 1982 by a summer painting workshop in Maine. She has been painting and teaching art ever since. Her paintings are in galleries and collections nationwide, including The Portland Hilton, Syntex Corporation and Bloomin’ Flower Cards. Ivy resides, paints and teaches children’s art classes in her home studio in Littleton, Colorado. The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 24 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm for a cost of $25. Please register with Arel Mishory at amishory@thehandswork.com or by calling (303) 534-4251.

For more information about the Mizel Museum Artists Alliance and Mizel Museum Artist Alliance Best of the MMAA—Metav exhibition and membership, contact Arel Mishory at (303) 534-4251. Contact Niza Knoll at the Niza Knoll Gallery at 303-953-1789 or the visit the website at www.nizaknollgallery.com. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, on Sunday by appointment, and for first and third Fridays from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

2010-05-05T11:37:00.002-06:00

I'm bowled over by the wonderful creativity of the kids who have sent in entries for our Summer Journeys camp. I've gotten to admire the drawings and poetry as will all the campers, parents and visitors, since we'll be posting all the entries at the Mizel Museum during camp. (Now that the ground floor is almost ready for our decorating stage, it's pretty spiffy!)

We cheered for 9-year-old, Melana, who crafted an entire BOOK with pop-up pictures describing a magical journey on a flying horse! Five-year-old Eleanor painted herself on a sailboat in a vividly blue ocean, accompanied by a wonderous, smiling, green sea creature under the waves. We got a YouTube entry with Kate, a talented 10-year-old singer enticing us all to come to Hawaii. A haiku, trips to Israel, vision of swimming...all were part of the mix.

My turn! I want to take some of these amazing journeys! I guess, being with our campers this summer will suffice. There are still some spots open if you know of kids in grades 1 - 6 who want an amazing experience!

2010-04-22T15:16:00.002-06:00

Had an amazing experience hearing Paula Burger talk with 250 middle school and high school kids in Denver today. Paula was a child when she and her brother were rescued from their Polish ghetto and joined the Bielski Partisan group. Her story of resilence and humanity resonated with the kids; she is, simply, a human being who was caught up in one of history's most horrific episodes. The middle schoolers at Manny Martinez school had studied the Holocaust and were so excited to meet this woman who made history come alive for them. Paula's warmth and genuineness made it easy for the kids to approach her and ask her a range of questions from political to quirky to heart-felt. These kids will be among the last groups in the coming years who will have an opportunity to actually meet face-to-face someone who lived through this time and can share their experiences. Such a unique and poignant 90 minutes. Hope these kids and their teachers have meaningful, deep discussions about the program.

From where I sit...

2010-04-13T14:03:00.002-06:00

There's so much going on here at the Mizel. It's hard to know how so few staffers can make so much happen. Dedication and sweat?? I've been here for a month and have been working on the Jewish Women in the Arts Show and the sneak preview this Thursday, been doing outreach for our exciting summer arts camps, meeting with volunteers to reestablish a really great volunteer program, dipping a toe into the BIG annual dinner with the Sies, helping out with our new permanent exhibit, The 4000-year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks, learning about our partnership with Facing History, Facing Ourselves, and getting to know some of the fabulous artists - in all fields - we work with. Then of course, I'm trying to learn the database and figure out all the things our website can handle, and doing some editing... Talk about multi-tasking!

We're undergoing a big renovation in time for camp and to create the new exhibit upstairs. It'll be great to have our hallway back downstairs, and to see all the interactive pieces that will be incorporated into the upstairs exhibit. Georgina will be looking for pieces of art and Judaica from the community for The 4000 year Road Trip - can't wait to see what gets sent in.

2010 Gala Dinner May 27, 2010

2010-03-09T10:21:00.006-07:00

The Mizel Museum's annual dinner gala and fundraiser honoring Anna and John J. Sie, one of the Denver's most popular fundraising events, promises to draw a huge crowd of the city's best and brightest

This year, the Mizel Museum will honor Anna and John J. Sie as the recipients of the 2010 Community Cultural Enrichment Award on May 27, 2010 at its prestigious annual dinner gala. Community leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the arts receive the award at the annual dinner gala and this year's recipients are no exception. Anna and John J. Sie are well known Denver residents recognized for their generosity and giving back to the community. In Colorado, the Sie's philanthropic support encompasses education, the arts, culture, and health services. In January 2003, Anna and John established The Anna and John J. Sie Foundation. In September 2008, the Foundation became the founding donor of the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus.

During the gala's twenty-nine year history, the annual dinner helps sustain the programs of the Mizel Museum, the Center for Empowered Living and Learning and the Babi Yar Park project which recently announced plans for development in partnership with the City of Denver Parks and Recreation Department.

Plans are currently underway to install our highly anticipated new, permanent Jewish exhibition, 4000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks, scheduled to open in August 2010. The Jewish people’s committed dedication to preserving their culture continues to underscore their promise to support efforts for the betterment of the world. The themes of resilience and world repair will be emphasized throughout this celebratory road trip and will highlight the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history.

For information and reservations for attending the Annual Dinner Gala on May 27, 2010, contact Ellen Premack at 303-394-9993. Visit the Mizel Museum web site at www.mizelmuseum.org

Gathering Sparks: the Origin of Tikkun Olam

2009-12-18T09:36:00.015-07:00

At the root of the contemporary Jewish experience is tikkun olam, the Hebrew tenet of repairing the world. In a universe that continues to increase in complexity, each human being is responsible for ensuring that human beings continue to coexist with one another and with the natural world. Seemingly small efforts such as smiling at a stranger on the street, mindfully remaining present for a suffering friend, and fostering genuine compassion for ourselves and others, are meaningful expressions of tikkun olam that fulfill this responsibility. More obvious actions, such as turning off the lights when leaving the house for the day, supporting local businesses, and remaining an active voice in social and political issues, are also essential.

The Mizel Museum’s new permanent exhibition, 4000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks, aims to engage visitors in an educational journey in Jewish history and culture. Through various interactive elements, it will also encourage visitors to take progressive local and global action. Contemporary local and global issues will be presented in the exhibition, and visitors will have the opportunity to actively engage with these issues both on-site at the museum, and off-site in their own homes, schools, and communities. Thus, visitors to the museum’s new permanent exhibition 4, 000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks, will learn about tikkun olam, repairing the world, by actively performing it.

The exhibition gets its title from the 16th Century creation myth, by the Jewish Kabbalist Isaac Luria (Ari) of Safed, which describes the origin of tikkun olam:

At the beginning of time, God’s presence filled the universe. When God decided to bring the world into being, to make room for creation, he contracted himself by drawing in his breath, forming a dark mass. Then God said, “Let there be light” (Gen, 1:3) and ten holy vessels came forth, each filled with primordial light. God sent forth the ten vessels like a fleet of ships, each carrying its cargo of light. But the vessels—too fragile to contain such powerful divine light—broke open, scattering the holy sparks everywhere. Had these vessels arrived intact, the world would have been perfect. Instead, God created people to seek out and gather the hidden sparks, wherever we can find them. Once this task is completed, the broken vessels will be restored and the world will be repaired.

4, 000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks will illustrate the Jewish journey across time and space from a contemporary perspective, including topics such as the roots of Judaism, adaptability and resilience, diversity, creating community, cultural preservation, interfaith relations, and the role of the arts in social change. An essential goal of this exhibition is for each visitor, in examining the experience of the Jewish people, to think about and feel proud of his or her own personal journey, and to feel inspired by the fact that journeys don't end but rather continue to unfold. In highlighting the idea of gathering sparks or repairing the world, while on that road trip, the exhibition will help visitors realize that each individual’s journey overlaps and interweaves with many others; so together, we must continue to gather sparks and accumulate light for ourselves and for one another.

4000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks

2009-11-12T08:47:00.007-07:00

The New Permanent Exhibition of the Mizel Museum
by Ellen Premack, Executive Director of the Mizel Museum

Following an extensive process to re-invent and re-create the Mizel Museum at Kearney Street, we have embarked on developing a new permanent exhibition. Our three-thousand square foot exhibition space will display a new core permanent exhibition that will offer visitors a journey through local and global Jewish culture in historical and contemporary contexts. The exhibition will highlight Jewish culture and its values made manifest within today's global matrix. The themes of resilience and world repair will also be emphasized throughout this celebratory 'road trip'. The exhibition will use artifacts, constructions, video, photography and interactive media technologies.

The new exhibition 4000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks is currently in process. This process includes a complete overhaul of the museum's administrative spaces and will reflect advancements in museum technology and most importantly, a conceptual shift.

In the Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah, G-d first created light and created kelem, or vessels, to contain that light. But, when G-d poured the light into the vessels, they were too weak to contain it. The vessels shattered, the shards made up the material world that we commonly experienced, and sparks of light scattered across the universe. Thus, everywhere in the material world are hidden sparks of light. They are within people, plants and animals, rocks and earth. Human beings must gather these sparks of light, bringing thematerial world closer to the world of Oneness and Light. This job of gatheringsparks is called Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.

As we embark further into the 21st Century, we are reminded daily of the sparks of light that we must collect - the world is in a constant state of flux and humans must continue to pursue justice and peace. The Jewish people have continued to thrive under extreme pressures throughout its history and therefore exemplify a spirit of resilience that serves as a model. Similarly, this resilience instills in today's Jewish people a crucial dedication to the continuation of its own culture, and importantly, to the sustainability of the entire world.

4000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks is a new exhibition for our community, headed up by Project Manager and Curator, Georgina Kolber. The entire staff, with assistance from members of the Board of Advisors, has invested much time and passion for this content by researching and contributing to the new narrative content. We have gathered a talented team of artists, designers, fabricators and reviewers, thus promising a unique, engaging and educational journey. Re-energized gallery spaces will provide safe-keeping for a portion of the museum's collection. A children's gallery and recourse center will be configured along with expanded community and school programming.

Researching Israel's Culture and Legacy

2009-09-16T10:20:00.005-06:00

Creating the narrative for the Mizel Museum’s new exhibit about the life and culture of Israel has been fascinating – and a great challenge. The question before us is:

How do we, in limited space and of limited means, lift the veil that has been created by conflict, politics and media to reveal the complex and evolving organism that is Israel?

Thankfully, we have access to more information than any other time in the history of the world. In some ways, that’s the good news and the bad news, since an additional

challenge comes from the task of sifting through all the information made available through the internet, books and magazines, input from friends and colleagues, and a few well-meaning family members. (Remember, “Two Jews, three opinions”)

Though I’ve visited Israel several times, I’ve never been so aware of the diversity and richness I’m exposed to through this research. The physical distance has allowed me to have a new perspective on Israel’s culture. It has become apparent over and over again that it is a culture of risk-takers --and that shows up in the art, the science and daily life.

I’ve become a regular on the website: Israel21c. It is a constant feed of scientific and technological advances. Just this week, there was an article about the Israeli vaccine that is being used worldwide to save bees, as well as news about the “Heart-healing seaweed gel” that was invented there, and sold to a New Jersey firm to develop.

I watched a video of Shai Agassi, an Israeli who now lives in California speaking at one of the TED Conferences. His company, Project Better Place has announced its partnership with Renault-Nissan. Agassi forged an agreement with Israel, making it the first nation in the world to commit to an all-electric car infrastructure by 2011.

One of my leads took me to an Oren Lavie music video on YouTube. It is called, Her Morning Elegance. It is unlike any music video before it, and that is reflected in the fact that it’s been available for only six months, and has registered over 6 ½ million views!

Moment, Jerusalem Report, Zeek and Hadassah magazine, to name a few, are all publications ripe with information about the burgeoning art and cultural world of Israel. The Denver-based organization, ActionIsrael sends out periodic emails with links to articles, lectures, and happenings relevant to learning and supporting Israel.

The writer I’ve come to respect most on the issue of the state of the State of Israel is Daniel Gordis, a scholar and brilliant analyst of the country. He is one of the founders of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. His most recent book, Saving Israel is inspirational.

We don’t know yet how the exhibit will look. It seems we’ll need the most sophisticated means to keep it current and vibrant, like the country. Perhaps, this is a job for an Israeli!

The Heymann Brothers Film Co has been operating for almost ten years. They specialize in long term documentary projects with a social and political orientation. The company was founded by Tomer Heymann, one of the leading documentary directors in Israel. Tomer and Barak have been described as "the Israeli Coen Brothers," though their films are documentaries, there is a dose of sardonic wit in each one. Look at Netflix for their films.

Steering Straight into the Future

2009-09-04T09:26:00.004-06:00

Image: Zion Ozeri, "Oil Pressers, Alibag, India. 2001

Over the course of its 27 year history, the Mizel Museum has inhabited several different spaces, each one informing, to a certain extent, the museum’s identity. On the one hand, the museum’s identity in the community is inevitably shaped by the physical space in which its visitors gather. On the other hand, the museum’s identity is also characterized by the programming it presents beyond its walls and classrooms.

As curator of exhibitions, programs and collections, it is my job to ensure that the museum’s identity is clearly reflected in our on-site and off-site exhibitions and programs, and in the objects we collect. The museum’s first home was a minimal 1,000 square feet located within the BMH-BJ Congregation building. Because the gallery and display areas expanded into the public hallways, the museum’s programming was often created to be portable and deliverable to school groups via traveling trunks for presentation in off-site classrooms and auditoriums. When the museum merged with the Jewish Community Center in 2000, educational programs took place solely off-site to schools and other locations. The museum maximized its travelling exhibit and off-site program capabilities because of its strong desire to continue serving the community despite its undersized physical ‘body’. The museum moved into the current 400 South Kearney Street location in March 2004, just in time to market the first summer camp season. The staff now had the ability to spread out into a physical space with the potential for presenting programs and exhibits within the museum space.

In the past two years, the museum has extended two new branches — The CELL, which opened in the Winter of 2009 and Babi Yar Park, which is a major work in progress. With these two new thematically nuanced projects drawing much attention and buzz, it is increasingly important for the museum at Kearney Street to reflect a strong and consistent identity.

When I arrived at the Mizel Museum three years ago, it was unclear how long we could inhabit our current ‘body’. After curating several exhibitions, I decided that the Kearney Street location would better serve its audience and attract new visitors with a permanent, educational core exhibition. I developed a framework for a core exhibition in which I felt that the themes presented at The CELL and Babi Yar Park would be contextualized, and would allow our programming to evolve and incorporate contemporary developments in Jewish and global cultures.

In June, the staff began writing the script for the new exhibition and it is in development. The exhibition will highlight the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history, their crucial dedication to preserving and continuing their own culture, and their commitment to the betterment and progression of the entire world. We look forward to sharing this exhibition in early 2010! Stay tuned to our web and blog sites for updates.

Georgina Kolber
Curator of Exhibits, Programs and Collections

How We're Alike and How We're Different

2009-05-12T12:23:00.032-06:00

One of the surprises for me this year has been the 8th Annual Bookmark Contest. It was one more project in the long line, and I wasn't sure I wanted to be part of it. Historically, it had been one of Janelle's project as Director of Education. We were both buried when it came time to solidify the details with the Jewish Coalition for Literacy with the Synagogue Council of Greater Denver, our partner in this project.
The theme this year came out of Digital Storytelling project and the My Self exhibit (currently on view in the museum). It was meant to get kids thinking about how they see themselves in the world: "How We're Alike and How We're Different."

Thanks to the help of the volunteers of the Jewish Coalition for Literacy (a project of the Synagogue Council of Greater Denver), we had about 400 entries from several schools in the metro area. We had a small jury choose a winner and three runners-up in both categories of Kindergarten through Second Grade and Third Grade through Fifth Grade.

Prizes were purchased for each of the winners and runners-up, and each of them was given a certificate with their prize. We presented them in the kids' classrooms, and took some pictures to mark the event. Janelle went to Place Bridge Academy(below) and
Kelly Wulf, the Mizel Museum Intern, presented Aanika Sukumar from Stanley BPS (above),and two winners at Herzl with their prizes.

The entries spanned the spectrum -- from adorable to sophisticated. What stands out most for me is how revealing of each kids' experience their entries are, especially in the older group.
There is much power in giving kids opportunities to have a voice. Call us at the museum, and we'll gladly send you a bookmark!

Click on each bookmark to see it magnified.

The Pinnacle of the Event Year

2009-03-06T08:03:00.006-07:00

I truly appreciate my position at the Mizel Museum. When I started, two years ago, Ellen gave me the tltle: Special Projects Manager. At first, I thought it might be a demotion from the role I was filling as Director of Events, but, as I've grown into the job, I see it as being far more expansive.
It includes events, and it includes getting to think outside of the box about what else interests me, what else I can do to make the museum an ever-expanding resource for the Jewish community, Denver, and (cyber space?) beyond.
Digital Storytelling is a great example of a project that (in my thinking) catapulted us to another level. You can see those stories on exhibit in the museum, or you can go to our website and watch this month's featured Stories of Resilience. They are remarkable. (See the website for more detail.)
The event to which I look most forward is the Jewish Women in the Arts program.

It includes and honors so many of my highest values.
1. We feature local women artists.
This has served me, personally, since I am a local woman artist. It also gives me the opportunity to share with my
community what I'm doing, as well as to provide others with a high-quality experience and venue.
As the Special Projects Manager, it is my job to work with Georgina, as curator and a committee of women (from
Hadassah (our partner) and the community at large) to create something to which women look forward all year.

2. We bring in nationally renown presenter(s) to present their story and work.
We are changing the format a bit this year, in that we are featuring one outstanding presenter,
Siona Benjamin. I can't do justice to describing Siona. For that, you can go to the January issue of Mizel Tov and read a terrific article that Georgina wrote about her. She is also
shown at the Flomenhaft Gallery in NY, where you can see that she is among giants.

The important part for us is that she is an amazingly gifted visual artist (painter) who, in her recent
work has been using midrash as inspiration. She will show her work, as well as the (and this is a
really exciting part) dance troupe she has gathered, who she paints, and then they dance her art.

3. We serve a delicious Kosher brunch prepared by Mark Millenson.
This year, we'd like to include some East Indian flavor, in honor of our program.

4. We provide an opportunity for 400+- women to gather.
We've learned that we have to give time for women to shop and shmooze. We're doing that better
this year.

If you are able, you should join us this year. It is on Sunday, April 19. Registration and the art exhibit begin at 9:00. The brunch begins at 10:00, and the program at 10:30 (this is a change, in that we're giving people time to eat before the program begins). From noon until 1:30 the exhibit will be open for shopping and shmoozing.

If you're a woman, or if you know one, this is a Pinnacle of the Event Year.

2009-02-16T23:14:00.002-07:00

Art and Midrash with Sari Horovitz

What is the Midrashic Process?
Midrash, from the Hebrew root "drash" means to seek. In the Torah context, the midrash is seeking to interepret particular areas of the text that are either opaque, vague, lacking detail or all of the above. For example, a midrash might propose a conversation that took place between Abraham and Isaac before they go up the mountain together to undergo G'd's test. It answers a question that we might ask even before we articulate it.

Sometimes, there are different midrash about the same Torah text. They may contradict each other. They may sound outlandish or fabulous. Yet each comes with a particular point of view, a particular truth. How do hold these midrashim? How do we reconcile the fabulous or the conflict? This is part of the midrashic process. Download a pdf of the Wednesday session scheduled at the Mizel Museum.

Beckwourth Returns to the Museum February 12th

2009-01-12T16:06:00.002-07:00

The Beckwourth Outdoors organization presented an exceptional living history program for the Mizel Museum during Black History month in February, 2008. The story of early Colorado pioneer, Aunt Clara Brown, came to life through an inspiring interpretation by a member of the Beckwourth living history group in character and costume. In addition, over three hundred audience members both groups of students and seniors organizations were treated to Black and Jewish music and an interesting discourse about the connections between Jews and Blacks involved in the early settlement of the state of Colorado.

Channel Nine news was also on hand to film the program and a segment was shown on the evening news. This program was also complemented by the Mizel Museum Jewish Pioneers of Colorado program, a presentation and photo exhibition highlighting the lives and achievements of early Jewish pioneers who were also involved in the early settlement of the state. Because of the popularity of both of these programs, the Mizel Museum and Beckwourth Outdoors have decided to present another version of this program for Black History Month this year on Thursday, February 12th from 10:00 - 11:30. We are looking forward to another successful program. If you have a group that would like to attend, please contact me at the museum at 303-394-9993x103 or email at jmock@mizelmuseum.org

Children of Chabannes Screens January 28 & 29

2008-12-18T10:18:00.001-07:00

Working at the Mizel Museum has been an incredible opportunity for me.
My job is creating programming that is meaningful. The mission of the museum informs the subject matter, and then, it's about IMAGINATION!
For instance, the Miryam Brand Holocaust Film Project is an annual event funded by the family of Miryam Brand in her memory. They honor her life by making Holocaust education available to middle and high school students.

This year, we are bringing in a young woman who produced and directed the documentary, Children of Chabannes. She made the film in tribute to her father and uncle, two of the children who were protected by the people of the French village during the Holocaust. Lisa Gossels is a delightfully energetic, bright and articulate artist making a difference in the world with her films.
There is no doubt that she'll inspire those who see the film and hear her speak at both the screenings on January 29, as well as the adult event at the Auraria Campus on January 28.

The program for middle and high school students will be done in style. Though it's held at George Washington High (not as posh as it may sound), with our funding, we're able to bring in the best in audio/visual equipment, with a 24' screen! Our AV guy, Dave Riepe of Outdoor Cinema is an expert who elevates any event in which he's at the controls.
If you are a teacher with students who are in 6th - 12th grades, or an individual who'd like to attend, call me: Deanne Kapnik at the Mizel Museum, 303 394-9993 x104.

Voices of Resilience: Denver's 150th Birthday Celebration

2008-10-30T11:47:00.001-06:00

We have some wonderful programs as part of our current exhibit, Voices of Resilience.

On Sunday, November 13th, we are offering the Jewish community a great opportunity to party in style in conjunction with the city of Denver Arts Week for Denver's 150th Birthday Celebration.

The Mizel Museum is collaborating with the Colorado Hebrew Chorale from 3:00 - 5:00 pm for a family celebration. We'll hear the Colorado Hebrew Chorale perform, make docent-led tours of the exhibit available and have a fun art activity for children. Of course, there'll be birthday cake.

Digital Storytelling at the Mizel Museum

2008-10-10T14:03:00.000-06:00

The Mizel Museum is working with the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS) to create a new, permanent exhibit November 2, 3 and 4, 2008.

CDS is a non-profit organization that develops digital storytelling projects and facilitates workshops so people can create short personal narrative films (digital stories) about their life experiences.

CDS is a leader in the field of digital storytelling with over a decade of experience helping organizations and individuals create successful projects and meaningful stories. Digital storytelling incorporates a range of creative media elements, from art and storytelling to creative writing. The digital stories are created from first-person narrative scripts. Storytellers use photographs, artwork, video, recorded voice, and music to turn the script into a meaningful digital story. Digital storytelling includes technical training in video editing to help storytellers maintain control over their story at all times.

Digital storytelling workshops offer a safe, supportive environment where participants can explore their histories and experiences. Change is an inevitable part of being human, and often people lack opportunities to share and bear witness to the struggles,joys, periods of confusion, trauma, illness, change, and evolution in their lives. Digital storytelling is a creative expression of those feelings. On a personal level, the digital storytelling process can be healing and transformative on many levels. Storytelling gives individuals an opportunity to connect deeply within themselves and others at the workshop.

The goal of the Center for Digital Storytelling is to support and nurture project development that considers how best to capitalize on the transformational capacities of the stories. Beyond personal reflection and healing, digital stories are immensely useful tools that support learning and generate awareness. With careful facilitation, screenings of digital stories have the potential to generate deep and meaningful discussion. For audience members in community mobilization efforts and civic action, digital storytelling encourages broader involvement. In a more formal academic or community context, digital storytelling methods can be used to discuss local needs and to evaluate whether or not those needs are being met.

You can link to all the stories on their website:http://www.storycenter.org/stories
Italians of Denver up on the web at:http://milehighstories.com/

Symbiosis: Cultural Alarm, Buddhist Animal Wisdom Stories, and Evolution

2008-03-12T16:04:00.000-06:00

The Mizel Museum presents the work of Tamar Hirschl, Mark w. McGinnis and Debra Callan
January 21, 2008 through May 1, 2008
Eco-kosher luncheon and discussion
Wednesday :: March 19 :: Noon-2:00 pm
Reservations required by March 12 :: $20/person includes full kosher lunch
Discussion led by Rabbi Victor Gross of Congregation Pardes Levavot from Boulder. Please join us for an important conversation about our kosher and non-kosher eating habits and how the foods we eat and the way they are grown, affect our natural environment in more ways than we may think.
Drawing from the Torah, the Talmud and modern ecological studies, the Rabbi will discuss topics such as: kashrut and the Gaia movement of the 1970s, human beings’ stewardship of all of G-d’s creations and the Jewish perspectives on the suffering of animals, recycling, and genetically altered foods. Full kosher lunch will be provided by Denver’s finest, Mark Millenson catering.
The Jewish Perspective: Working with and for the Environment
Monday :: March 24 :: 6:00-8:30 pm :: $5/person
Daniel Wallach, Greensburg Greentown. Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder, Aish Kodesh, Boulder. Adam Hirsch, atmospheric chemist at the University of Colorado / NOAA Boulder. Keith Hay, Energy Advocate, Environment Colorado. What inspires your life work? Your religion? Your spirituality? None of these? 4 Jewish environmental workers discuss the extent to which their Judaism informs their work.
Creation and the Animal Kingdom, the Jewish Perspective
Sunday :: March 30 :: 2:00-4:00 pm :: 4th grade and up :: $5/person
Led by Penny Nisson, the Mizel Museum and Daniel Ziskin, Jews of the Earth. Educators Penny Nisson and Daniel Ziskin talk to kids about Jewish holidays and traditions that focus on celebrating the earth’s animals, creatures and other natural creations.
Nature Journaling at Morrison Nature Center, Aurora
Sunday :: April 13 :: 1:30-3:30 pm :: $5/person
Guided by Mary Ann Bonnell, Lead Naturalist, Parks and Open Space, City of Aurora. Mary Anne Bonnell will inspire your artistry and show you the creativeand healing power of writing and drawing in nature. Location: Morrison Nature Center (between chambers St. and Airport Blvd.)