Shema Israel

Art by Gloria Abella Ballen

"It invokes words, Torah, people and doors," said artist and author Gloria Abella Ballen in explaining why she chose this artwork for our inaugural NMJJ. Created for the New World Haggadah with Ilan Stavans (Gaon Books), she said, "Above the scrolls it says La Torah (Ladino). The person is standing on the letter chet, for life and dream (chalom), in a space surrounded by letters which make the world. There is the suggestion of two arched doors to enter the world (knowledge, new world, feelings etc). Doors are very symbolic in psychological terms.  There is an observer on the other side."

Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico
Congregation Albert
Temple Beth Shalom
Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque
The Institute for Tolerance Studies
Community Event! Sephardi Trio Federation of El Paso and Las Cruces