Dor V' Dor: Kaddish For My Father 2004-2007
Oil on Canvas 47-1/2" h x 62" w
The catalyst for this painting was the sudden death of my father during a Shabbat Morning
Service. It occurred moments after he had recited the Shema (Hear, Oh! Israel The Lord is Our
God, The Lord is One), the ancient and central prayer of worship, traditionally said upon rising
and upon lying down to sleep, and before the moment of passing.
The painting deals with several Jewish traditions including the concept of Dor V’ Dor - the
compliance with tradition to sustain Judaism from generation to generation, symbolized by
the inclusion of myself (far left) and my paternal grandfather (center).
Having grown up in an orthodox environment, my father was actively involved in synagogues
and Cherva Kaddisha (Burial Societies) all his life. He made his living as a tailor , symbolized in
the painting by the pair of tailor’s shears cutting a corner fringe off the burial tallit in
observance of the Jewish tradition of Tachrichim, which includes this action so that the tallit
is no longer fit for ritual use.
Oil on Canvas 47-1/2" h x 62" w
The catalyst for this painting was the sudden death of my father during a Shabbat Morning
Service. It occurred moments after he had recited the Shema (Hear, Oh! Israel The Lord is Our
God, The Lord is One), the ancient and central prayer of worship, traditionally said upon rising
and upon lying down to sleep, and before the moment of passing.
The painting deals with several Jewish traditions including the concept of Dor V’ Dor - the
compliance with tradition to sustain Judaism from generation to generation, symbolized by
the inclusion of myself (far left) and my paternal grandfather (center).
Having grown up in an orthodox environment, my father was actively involved in synagogues
and Cherva Kaddisha (Burial Societies) all his life. He made his living as a tailor , symbolized in
the painting by the pair of tailor’s shears cutting a corner fringe off the burial tallit in
observance of the Jewish tradition of Tachrichim, which includes this action so that the tallit
is no longer fit for ritual use.
