For the first time in its history, the Kishinev synagogue became the site of a painting workshop that attracted some of the most well-known painters from Moldova. For more than 3 days, the central hall of the synagogue was filled with easels and the smell of paint as Alexandr Alavatsky, Tatiana Frunze, Ilia Leo,andLilia Nashcu painted scenes from Jewish life in Kishinev while members of the synagogue watched with interest.
The workshop, organized by businessman and artist Jacov Tichman, focused in particular on images of the Kishinev synagogue and its spiritual leader: Zalman Abelsky, the Chief Rabbi of Kishinev and Moldova.
According to the assembled artists, Rabbi Zalman’s charisma, education and activism in Jewish life, made him an easy and attractive person to depict. “Rabbi Zalman as an artistic subject is interesting for a number of perspectives,” said Alexandr Alavatsky, a graduate of the Academy of Arts, and a member of the Painters’ Union of the Republic of Moldova. “He attracts painters by his spirituality and by his human beauty: he is quite striking. It seems to me that he has stepped out of an old portrait.”
Tatiana Frunze added: “At the same time, he is very modern man; he is able to understand the psychology and trends of contemporary life.”
Ilia Leo noted of his and his colleagues’ works:” We have different painting techniques and ways of thinking about our painting, and some of us are more successful than others. In any case, each painting is interesting in its own way.”
The public seems to agree. An exhibition of the paintings done by the artists at the “Niagara” fitness center, also organized by Jacob Tichman, was a great success. M. Vainer, a Romanian Member of Parliament and representatives of the Romanian Jewish community attended the exhibition and were very impressed. Comments such as “Marvelous!”, “Splendid!”, “Romania should see it!” were heard throughout the exhibition…
Rabbi Zelman and his wife, Rebbetzin Leah, were warmly greeted by the organizers of this exhibition and by numerous visitors, including some pupils of Rambam Lyceum.
The point of both the workshop and the exhibition, explained Tichman, was to spark interest in the synagogue and its community. “We, as a group of Jewish businessmen, set up a special fund aimed at renovating our synagogue in Kishinev,” said Tichamn, who also contributed his art to the exhibition. ’’But we did not just collect money. The purpose of the fund is to sponsor fundraising events such as the painting workshop and exhibition, where the paintings will be auctioned off, and the proceeds will go to our fund.
“I don’t believe in the motto ‘Give- money- and –leave.’ The fund should perform several functions: bring people closer to tradition, allow artists to capture the moment in their art for future generations and, of course, earn some money, which will help in renovating our synagogue.
Writers, historians and painters all traditionally try to capture the spirit of the moment. Taking into consideration the great contribution of Rabbi Zalman to Jewish life in Moldova, I think it’s my duty to support those artists who try to capture his spirit through images and to pass it on to future generations”.
Miroslava Lukianchikova
