Love Thy Neighbor

october 2025 Exhibition
at scarsdale library, 54 olmsted rd, scarsdale ny
opening reception sunday october 5 from 2-4 pm

proceeds to benefit

The focus of this exhibition is to foster goodwill among people of different faiths and to inspire appreciation of one another’s differences.

The paintings (see below) are available as my gift

to those who donate directly to one of the above organizations.

To donate/purchase a painting , please send a message here

letting me know which organization you will donate to and

which painting you choose

These are organizations that protect freedom of speech and religion, fight hate and discrimination, and/or support interfaith understanding. As the sole organizer of this event, I chose these beneficiaries because of my belief in the worth of each of their causes.

Exhibition centerpiece:
the hamsa as a symbol of peace

Center painting :acrylic on 30x40-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep, 2024

The 6 alongside paintings: acrylic, each on 9x12-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep, 2024.

The Hamsa hand is instantly recognizable among several religions and cultures as a symbol that heralds good fortune, unity and peace. Historians say that it predates Islam and Judaism, the religions to which it is most closely associated. One theory suggests that it comes from ancient Egypt where the fingers represent the gods Osiris and Isis, and the thumb is associated with their child Horus. Another theory posits that the Hamsa originated thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia.

Whatever its origins, the Hamsa is universally seen as a talisman that repels evil, not a religious symbol like a crucifix or Star of David. It is a good luck charm worn as jewelry, displayed in homes or carried as an amulet.

IN JUDAISM, the Hamsa is referred to as the Hand of Miriam, Moses' sister who became an icon of protection and luck. Hamsa comes from the Hebrew word hamesh, meaning the number 5 which may represent the 5 books of Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

IN ISLAM, the Hamsa is known as the Hand of Fatima, the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, who inspired this symbol of protection and strength. Hamsa is from the Arabic word khamsah. For Shi’ite Muslims, it represents the five People of the Cloak; Sunni Muslims view the fingers as the pillars of Faith, Prayer, Pilgrimage, Fasting and Charity.

FOR LEVANTINE CHRISTIANS, the Hamsa symbolizes the Hand of Mary, connecting it with the Virgin Mary's protective qualities.

IN HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM, the Hamsa represents chakras and the 5 senses, and healing hand gestures. Hands are seen as tools to connect with one’s spirituality and fingers represent elements of nature: earth, fire, water, air, and the ethereal.

Always, the Hamsa is considered a protection against harm. I am hoping that this work helps to reinforce it as an element that inspires respect and fosters peace among us all.

Click on the paintings below for description

and suggested minimum donation

Symbol of Peace

7 individual paintings: center painting is acrylic on 30x40-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep, 2024; 6 alongside paintings are also acrylic, each on 9x12-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep, 2024.
All 7 pieces together available for $5,000 donation as noted above.
Poster prints will be available; cost TBD

See description of the hamsa symbol above on this web page.

The Dome at a Distance

Oil, 18x18-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2023.
Available for $650 donation as noted above.

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, a literal shining presence, is an iconic image of the Middle East.

A UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, it was built in the 7th century as a testament to the rise of the new Islamic religion. It is the world’s oldest surviving Islamic structure, and contains inscriptions that are considered the earliest proclamations of Islam and the prophet Muhammad.

Located on the highest point of old Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock stands in the center of the Al-Aqsa compound on the sacred Temple Mount – a holy Jewish site as well because this is where the First and Second Holy Temples existed before their destruction.

At the center of the Dome of the Rock sits a large limestone rock, from which Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. It is also believed to be where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Ismail (Isaac in the Judeo/Christian tradition).

The building’s octagonal architecture and mosaics were patterned after Byzantine churches and palaces. It has gone through multiple design changes; most notable was the 1959 addition of the gold-plated roof which makes the structure all the more eye-catching from afar.

A Marketplace Chat SOLD

Acrylic, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2025.
Available for $750 donation as noted above.

Marketplaces are central to Middle Eastern culture. Called shuks (Hebrew) or souks (Arabic), they serve as social gathering places as well as hubs to negotiate for and buy goods.

Today such markets are familiar to visitors of Middle Eastern cities as tourist attractions filled with local goods and souvenirs but they began as commercial centers of trade in ancient times. Throughout all this time, vibrant outdoor markets have thrived, offering a huge range of goods from fresh produce, spices and prepared foods to pottery, household items, garments, and so much more.

These open-air bazaars are typically colorful and chaotic, reflecting the culture of the country or city in which they exist.

Kufis and Kippahs

Acrylic, 11x14-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2024.
Available for $350 donation as noted above.

In many religions, it is a sign of respect and a tradition to wear a head covering, especially for men. For some, covering the head is a religious requirement particularly when in prayer or inside a religious sanctuary. Brimless hats like these, often of a soft or knitted material, are common.

This type of hat has strong associations with many Islamic cultures where it may be called a kufi. This cap is traditional for men in West Africa, worn by Muslims and Christians and often brightly decorated.

It is hard to distinguish between a Muslim or Christian kufi or a particular type of Jewish kippah: Bukharian kippot (plural for kippah) as they are similar in shape and style.

The primary distinction between a kufi and a kippah is the design woven upon it. In all cases, they are meant to show reverence and express one’s commitment to a belief.

Conversing

Acrylic, 18x18-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2023.
Available for $500 donation as noted above.

Islam requires modesty both for men and women. Therefore clothes are loose so that the curves of the body are not discernible.

Muslim men’s clothing are to cover at least their head and body from the waist to the knees, while women's Islamic dress conceals the hair and the body, from the ankle to the neck.

The specific garments worn vary from one culture and community to another but the essential rules of dress are the same among Muslims. For example, the most common garment for women is the hijab head covering. This is worn by many as a way of practicing modesty, however the type of hijab varies depending on the sect of Islam practiced.

These women clearly follow strict Islamic guidelines for dress. Here they are enjoying a few moments together perhaps in the comfort of one of their homes.

Array of Kippahs

Acrylic, 18x18-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2024.
Available for $600 donation as noted above.

In the Jewish religion, the main type of hat worn primarily by males of all ages is the kippah, a brimless skull cap typically made of cloth. The direct translation of the Hebrew word “kippah” is “dome”. The cap is also commonly called a “yarmulke”, a Yiddish word.

Though yarmulkes have been worn by men traditionally, more Jewish women are choosing to wear yarmulkes also as an expression and reminder of their faith.

A yarmulke indicates reverence and humility, an acknowledgment of God’s presence. Some consider a kippah to be a reminder that we are not to stray into inappropriate thoughts and activities. In addition, it is a symbol of the wearer’s faith to others.

Though the wearing of yarmulkes is not mandated by the Torah or the Talmud, it was customary in ancient times for Jews in prayer to cover their heads as a sign of respect for God. Orthodox Jewish men keep their heads covered at all time, however Jews of other denominations may only wear kippot when in synagogue.

Armenian Doorway

Oil, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2024.
Available for $500 donation as noted above.

The Armenian Quarter is one of four sectors of Jerusalem’s walled Old City of Jerusalem, located in its southwestern corner.

The Armenian presence in Jerusalem dates back to the 4th century AD when Armenia adopted Christianity as a national religion and monks settled in Jerusalem.

Over time, the quarter developed around the St. James Monastery; it houses the Armenian Apostolic Church's Jerusalem Patriarchate which was established as a diocese in the 7th century AD. The patriarchate acts as an administrator of the quarter and its 2,000 Armenian residents.

According to the Armenian National Committee of America, the Armenians of Jerusalem form one of the oldest Armenian communities outside of Armenia, and that the Quarter may be one of the most “Armenian” places in the world.

It is unique in that Armenians are the only people to have a Quarter in the Old City alongside three quarters designated for faiths: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

The orangey yellow doors are eye-catching for sure, against the pale Jerusalem stone of the building; perhaps they are the color of one of the stripes of the Armenia’s national flag?

Welcome Home SOLD

Oil, 18x18-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2023.
Gifted to donor of $500 to UJA Federation.

Visitors to Jerusalem cannot help but note that, in the uneven and winding streets around the city, there are many hidden doorways at odd angles.

Who knows how old those entrances are or even where they lead? But they are often colorful and always beautiful.

Portals to people’s homes or courtyards sit amid Jerusalem stone walls and the cobble stone streets. As you turn around each corner, there is another scenic surprise.

Hidden Church Entrance

Oil, 11x14-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2024.
Available for $350 donation as noted above.

Jerusalem's Old City is a small, walled section within the modern city of Jerusalem. It measures is less than 1 square kilometer.

The Christian Quarter is one of the four quarters of the Old City; the other three are the Jewish, Muslim and Armenian. Located in the northwest corner of the Old City, the Christian Quarter contains about 40 holy places including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

It is home to about 5,000 Christians of various denominations including Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Ethiopian Christians.

In addition to its churches and monasteries, the area contains a bustling market. Amid its maze-like streets are many hidden doorways and church entrances.

Inviting Entry

Oil, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2024.
Available for $500 donation as noted above.

The Old City of Jerusalem is a 1-square-kilometer (0.35 sq mi) walled area in East Jerusalem. In a tradition that may have begun with an 1840s British map of the city, the Old City is divided into four uneven quarters: Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Jewish.

The Jewish Quarter lies in the southeastern sector of the walled city. It has a rich history, with several long periods of Jewish presence since the eighth century BCE. In 1967, the Old City housed 17,000 Muslims, 6,000 Christians (including Armenians). There were no Jewish people as their population of about 2,000 had been expelled by Jordanians who captured it in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.

The city later came under Israeli control during the 1967 Six-Day War. The Old City, along with its walls, was added to the World Heritage Site list of UNESCO in 1981.

The total population of the Old City now is about 36,000. Of these, 22,000 live in the Muslim quarter, 6,000 in the Jewish quarter, 6,000 in the Christian quarter, and about 2,000 in the Armenian quarter.

It is a maze of winding, ancient streets with shops and homes of all kinds, some almost hidden down narrow alleyways. Every private home’s entry way is different; this one looks particularly welcoming suggesting a beautiful garden just on the other side of the double doors.

Visitors Welcome SOLD

Oil, 11x14-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2024.
Gifted to donor of $500 to ADL.

The Old City of Jerusalem is a 0.9-square-kilometer (0.35 sq mi) walled area in East Jerusalem that is divided into four quarters: the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, and the Jewish Quarter. Along with its walls, the Old City was added to the World Heritage Site list of UNESCO in 1981.

It total population is about 36,000. Of these, about 6,000 reside in the Jewish quarter among a maze of winding, ancient streets and alleys.

Every synagogue or private home’s entry way is unique in its design and often are colorful, as is this aqua blue set of doors nestled under an archway.

Weathered Way In

Oil, 11x14-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep. 2024.
Available for $400 donation as noted above.

Every day, people from all over the world visit Jerusalem and walk its narrow streets, visiting historical, cultural and religious sites.

It is inevitable that most will get lost in the winding streets, passing hidden doorways some of which are refurbished, modern entryways. Or they may be – like this one – old entrances of chipped paint and weathered wood that still, despite their age and wear, are surprisingly colorful and arresting sights.

How could one not wonder what lies up the steps and inside the doors?

Love Thy Neighbor october 2025 Exhibition at scarsdale library, 54 olmsted rd, scarsdale ny opening reception sunday october 5 from 2-4 pm proceeds to benefit

Exhibition centerpiece: the hamsa as a symbol of peace

Love Thy Neighbor

october 2025 Exhibition
at scarsdale library, 54 olmsted rd, scarsdale ny
opening reception sunday october 5 from 2-4 pm

proceeds to benefit

Exhibition centerpiece:
the hamsa as a symbol of peace