Wisdom of the Mothers
Pirkei Avot, The Ethics of the Fathers, is a collection of moral maxims from the Rabbis of the first centuries of the common era. Originally part of the Talmud, (Nezikim, tractate Avot) Pirkei Avot has been collected in a separate volume, printed and reprinted over the centuries, and is included in many prayer books. It is common practice in many parts of the Jewish community to study Pirkei Avot on Shabbat afternoons from Passover until Rosh Hashana.
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Wisdom of the Mothers, fabric and parchment, 40 x 17, 2011
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Pirkei Avot contains deep and important guiding principles from our most revered teachers: Rabbis Hillel, benZakkai, Yohannan, Eliezer and others. But, as is so often the case with Jewish tradition, it enshrines the male perspective to the total exclusion of the female point of view.
I created my artwork, Pirkei Imahot, Wisdom of the Mothers, both to point out what is missing in our tradition and to begin the work of tikkun, of repair and redress. Pirkei Imahot is woman-inspired Talmud in its content, its form, and in the materials used to create it. I have enshrined in it wisdom from the women who have been my life’s rabbis, ordained or not, Jewish or not, still alive or living in spirit in the world to come.
PIRKEI IMAHOT: THE CREATIVITY CONTINUES
Pirkei Imahot was featured in an exhibit at the Ostrow Library of the American Jewish University in Los Angeles in 2014. The curator, Jacqueline Ben-Efraim, invited women from her synagogue’s sisterhood to visit the show and to write their own pirkei, wisdom sayings, that had been passed on to them. Then two artists from the congregation, Judy Yaniv Goldberg and Renee Glickman-Cohn, created a pair of banners embroidered with the essence of each pirkei. In January 2015, the banners were presented to the congregation during a service led by the women of the sisterhood. Because the service was live-streamed, I was able to see in person and in real time how my own creativity and spirituality had sparked that of others.
THESE ARE THE WISDOM SAYINGS THAT I CALLIGRAPHED ONTO THE STREAMERS FLOWING FROM THE BREASTS.
Making art is another form of prayer.
JUDITH MARGOLIS
Fight for love!
ELIZABETH RETIVOV
Love is showing up, no matter what.
NILI WEISMAN
Forgiveness is the greatest gift.
ROSE KAPLAN, Z''L
If her memory isn’t a blessing yet, pray that it will become one.
RABBI DEBORAH GORDON
See reality!
ESTER SALZMAN, Z"L
Just as long as you’re happy…
CAROLYNE COHEN, Z''L
Pharoah is the god of
black and white;
ha-Shem is the god of paradox. Embrace paradox!
RABBI SHARON ANISFELD
Never give up on yourself, no matter what.
PEMA CHODRON
Anyone can get married — be a person first.
ANNA LEVIN COHEN, Z''L
Look up! Nothing will ever come from looking down.
TRISH MCCALL
You may have to put someone out of your life but don’t put him out of your heart.
SHARON SALZBURG
Don’t argue: embrace!
ESTER SALZMAN, Z"L
Stay connected and stay present.
MARY DUNN, Z''L
Don’t write a Russian novel about every problem in your life.
JENILU SCHOOLMAN, Z''L
Just when you feel really stuck, go deeper.
NILI WEISMAN
Slowly by slowly.
SIMA LEVIN, Z''L
The heart of hevruta study is relationship: connection with your partner and connection with God.
JUDY CLARK
Always know where you are in space.
TRISH MCCALL
Freedom and respect are the most important things.
ESTER SALZMAN, Z"L
I find Talmud study difficult. I choose to see this as a lesson in humility.
RENA BANNETT
Really enjoy being your own shining sun.
ELIZABETH RETIVOV
Forgive others, forgive yourself, forgive life for being like it is.
SYLVIA BOORSTEIN
Enjoy your life, every minute, promise me.
ESTER SALZMAN, Z"L
God is talking to you all the time but, to get the message, you have to be listening.
SUSAN KAPLOW
Sometimes you just gotta’ learn to breathe under water.
NILI WEISMAN
One stick of wood can’t burn by itself.
ESTER SALZMAN, Z"L
If you keep your feet on the ground, you can’t fall.
TRISH MCCALL
Be quiet and listen with an open heart.
SISTER ANNA GAMMA