Participants at the 2016 JCCs of North America Biennial created the artwork for these murals to celebrate 100 years of the JCC Movement. Artist-in-residence Jay Wolf Schlossberg-Cohen worked with JCC Movement and JWB Jewish Chaplains Council stakeholders to create the underlying narrative and artwork. Three 13′ x 6′ panels tell the story of the JCC Movement from its birth as the Jewish Welfare Board in 1917, through its first century and on into the future.
These images represent our past, present and future.
Best viewed on a desktop computer. Roll your cursor over the image to zoom into the panels.
THE PAST
The Bender JCC, working in teams, focused on the past of the JCC Movement, beginning with the North American immigrant experience represented by the ship entering the harbor in the lower right hand corner of the banner. We are a diverse lot from the start, and the waves reflect that, turning into rainbows as they crest away from the ship. The image of dancing children first appears in this banner, and carries through the others, emphasizing l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation—our focus in how we convey Jewish living and learning. We see the multiplication of JCCs on the right, representing the growth of Jewish Community Centers and YM-YWHAs. And at the top right, we pay homage to our roots, a newly minted American Doughboy, heading off to serve his country and represent his community.
The Bender JCC, working in teams, focused on the past of the JCC Movement, beginning with the North American immigrant experience represented by the ship entering the harbor in the lower right hand corner of the banner. We are a diverse lot from the start, and the waves reflect that, turning into rainbows as they crest away from the ship. The image of dancing children first appears in this banner, and carries through the others, emphasizing l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation—our focus in how we convey Jewish living and learning. We see the multiplication of JCCs on the right, representing the growth of Jewish Community Centers and YM-YWHAs. And at the top right, we pay homage to our roots, a newly minted American Doughboy, heading off to serve his country and represent his community.
THE PRESENT
JCC Association staff worked in small groups to create the foundation for this imagery last spring. An inclusive group of children dance in nature, they could be at JCC camp, celebrating. We see symbols of Jewish life, and children swimming. The J in the center says who we are, proudly spanning the breadth of a continent, including the United States, Canadian, and Israeli flags. The windows at the top are flung wide to welcome everyone, providing also a glimpse into the future.
JCC Association staff worked in small groups to create the foundation for this imagery last spring. An inclusive group of children dance in nature, they could be at JCC camp, celebrating. We see symbols of Jewish life, and children swimming. The J in the center says who we are, proudly spanning the breadth of a continent, including the United States, Canadian, and Israeli flags. The windows at the top are flung wide to welcome everyone, providing also a glimpse into the future.
THE FUTURE
The “start up nation,” Israel, handled how we look at the future. Staff at the JCC Israel Center imagined what Jewish life looks like as we peer to the horizon. The red anemones dot the landscape as they do in Israel’s south, each February, splashing color as winter comes to a close. The children will lead us where we join the multitudes gathering in celebration. The color and images open up to the cosmos. Our future is a happy place, one where we go from strength to strength.
The “start up nation,” Israel, handled how we look at the future. Staff at the JCC Israel Center imagined what Jewish life looks like as we peer to the horizon. The red anemones dot the landscape as they do in Israel’s south, each February, splashing color as winter comes to a close. The children will lead us where we join the multitudes gathering in celebration. The color and images open up to the cosmos. Our future is a happy place, one where we go from strength to strength.