Portrait Of The Artist: "Jewish Identity Project"

Montclair painter Janet Boltax explores provocative themes in her exhibition, “Jewish Identity Project” which opens Sunday. From NJ Jewish News:

“I’ve been grappling with questions of identity for many years, and I’ve also painted portraits for many years,” Boltax told NJ Jewish News. “A couple of years ago, I asked a senior citizens’ group at Temple Ner Tamid, where I’m a member, if anyone would be interested in posing for a portrait. I got quite a few responses, and other people learned about the project and volunteered to sit for me. The project expanded from a small group of Jewish seniors to a larger group of Jews of varied ages and backgrounds.”

Boltax’s subjects include African-American Jews; Jews by choice; Jews from the Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox movements; an Iranian Jew; as well as two self-portraits, one done at the start of the project and one done at its completion.

“It was wonderful getting to know these people,” Boltax said. “We had fascinating conversations while they were sitting for me. The most interesting thing I found was that a number of people said, ‘I need to believe in something.’ Some of my subjects had thought about and explored their beliefs in depth, while others have never questioned it.”

Like many contemporary Jews, Montclair artist Janet Boltax has felt conflicted about her religious identity at different points in her life, feeling culturally but not spiritually connected. Her attempt to understand that diffidence led her to explore Judaism’s role in the lives of others. The result of that quest is “The Jewish Identity Project: Portraits and Commentary,” a series of portraits and interviews with a wide range of Jews. The exhibition will be on display at the Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus, West Orange, from March 23 through May 4