Share Your Heart with Genesis

There’s still time to make your mark on Genesis’s 50th Anniversary year — with a paintbrush and a touch of passion. Everyone in our two congregations is invited to contribute to the Genesis 50th Celebration Community Art Project, a collaborative work of art that will soon become a permanent installation in the hallway just outside the Social Hall.

Each participant is invited to paint a their own heart on a wooden tile, which together will form two large mosaic-style panels celebrating the friendship and partnership that have sustained Genesis for half a century.

This project continues the spirit of creativity and community that filled the building during the Genesis 50th Celebration in June. The project's origins lie with the Genesis 50th Anniversary Committee, which wanted to create a lasting, visible reminder of the Genesis partnership.

With the encouragement of Rabbi Josh Whinston and funding from the Genesis Board, the Committee invited Elena Weissman, an artist experienced in community installations who also previously spearheaded and organized our beautiful ceramic tile mosaic, to conceptualize and lead the effort.

“Hearts are a universal symbol for love and compassion — the source of life and the seat of love, wisdom, faith, and connection. Each one is unique, yet together they reflect the beauty of Genesis — two congregations, many individuals, one shared heart.” – Elena Weissman

illustration of the concept from the project proposal

“We are two congregations of individuals that come together, in all our uniqueness, with shared goals and values around friendship, cooperation and collaboration to create a beautiful larger whole,” Elena elaborated.

“We were very fortunate that Elena was willing to design and spearhead the project,” remarked Ann Putallaz for the Committee. “The focus on Hearts seemed to the Committee to be such a meaningful way to commemorate the 50th Anniversary.”

Each 4×4-inch tile will be joined into a 6 foot wide wooden panel in a 14x7 grid. The goal is to have two panels — nearly 200 hearts in all — completed and installed by Erev Thanksgiving, on November 23. About half of the hearts are already finished, painted by members of both congregations at the June celebration and at a few smaller gatherings throughout the summer and fall. The design of the project allows for future additional panels.

Upcoming opportunities to contribute include:

• Wednesday, October 29, 6–7 p.m. in the Social Hall

• Friday, October 31, 5 p.m. in the Adult Lounge before the Shabbat service

• Sunday, November 2, after the 10:30 a.m. church service

Jennifer Wolf helps out at the 50th Anniversary Celebration last June

All ages are welcome and no artistic experience is required — just a steady hand, a little paint, and the openness to share your heart.

The completed panels, made by the very community they celebrate, will remind us each time we pass them of all we are able to make together.