The Artist Who Saw God
Barnett Newman, a pivotal abstract expressionist, fiercely resisted being labeled a “Jewish artist,” famously denouncing a 1965 Jewish Museum panel as an “Am Haoretz performance.” His 1947 essay “The First Man Was an Artist” argued that art is a defiant act returning humanity to the Adam of Eden, intertwining his Jewish roots with a universalist vision. Before gaining artistic acclaim, Newman endured a series of setbacks—including a failed mayoral bid, repeated teaching‑exam failures, and a protracted patent lawsuit—while grappling with the moral crises of World II. These experiences forged his belief that “ecstatic outburst” should outweigh social utility, positioning him as a vocal advocate for art that confronts political upheaval.
This Is Not Just About the Rubinsteins
Allegra Goodman’s *This Is Not About Us* is a novel composed of seventeen interwoven stories that follow the Rubinstein sisters and their extended family as they navigate death, holidays, and everyday rituals. The book opens with Jeanne’s prolonged battle with...
Israel, Interrupted
The blog “Israel, Interrupted” describes how relentless air‑raid sirens, missile strikes and successive wars have turned daily life in Israel into a series of forced pauses. It traces the origins of these disruptions from COVID‑19 through the 2022 judicial reform...