CREATIVE SOUL JOURNEYS

Akron Jewish News

The Unique Power of the Women

A group of around 25 women of all ages came together on Sunday, October 29th, for an exciting and inspiring community women's program entitled “Canvas of the Soul” held at the Shaw JCC. The program, which included a guided visualization session and painting workshop, was sponsored by the Jewish Women's Endowment Fund in partnership with SAJE (Summit Agency for Jewish Education) and led by artist Neria Cohen.

The program focused on the three special mitzvot (commandments) that are uniquely given to women: Challah (removing a piece of dough from challah dough, symbolically remembering the challah dough once given to the priests in the time of the Temple in Jerusalem); Hadlakat Neirot (candle-lighting on Friday evenings for Shabbat); and Mikvah (immersion in a ritual bath for married women). Cohen began the program by exploring these three mitzvot and their special connection for women, using Jewish mysticism and traditional Jewish thought. This introduction was followed by a meditation/guided visualization in which Cohen led the participants on an inner journey into their deepest thoughts and emotions through using imagery of these three mitzvot.

Each woman was given her own canvas, paintbrushes, and palette, and painted her own individual experiences from the guided visualization. Participants were then given the opportunity to present their paintings to the rest of the group and explain the thoughts and feelings that were behind their artwork. Cohen guided the discussions regarding the various presented paintings with ideas and thoughts from Jewish mysticism and tradition, often commenting on the use of certain colors and images displayed in the paintings and explaining the symbolism of these colors and imagery in Jewish thought.

Participants were very enthusiastic about the program, which received highly positive feedback.

One Akron University student who participated in the program said that she enjoyed “the entire concept” of the program and that “we need more of it in the world!”

Ceil Cohen, another participant, said: “I thought the speaker was terrific. I would love to see her again or come to a similar program.”

Participants came away from the program with their paintings, as well as two pages of articles related to the program content. Much more than that, though, they also came away with a stronger appreciation for a woman's special power and the positive role that she has in the world.