Music and the Arts
We Value the Arts
We are lucky to be located in a community rich in the arts. Perhaps because of its proximity to Philadelphia, its diversity or simply the beauty of its flora and architecture, Cheltenham Township has become an enclave of creativity. Our neighbors are concert cellists, opera singers, internationally acclaimed visual artists, singer/songwriters, authors, craft jewelers, photographers and so much more. We value the beauty and creativity our neighbors bring into the world and look for opportunities to use Kol Ami as a venue for celebrating their art.
Kol Ami as Concert Hall
Music at Kol Ami stretches beyond our worship services. We regularly open our spiritual home to musical programs for congregants and the community. Our sanctuary has become a concert hall, featuring internationally renowned violinist Gil Morgenstern as well as congregants and classically trained opera singers John Miles and Sheryl Cohen.
The Gallery at Kol Ami
The Gallery at Kol Ami, which is located in our front lobby, was created to give local art a home in our community. Each month, our gallery features the works of a different local artist. Past artists have included members Natalie Dyen and Sue Elkins, as well as Jeff Berkes, Tom Steigerwald, Iris Innes, Heather Reeves, Zach Horn and Kristen Stein. A favorite exhibit was the photography of our own Rabbi Elliot Holin.
Twice a year, we invite our members to submit their art. One of these shows feature our children’s art; the other, the art of our adult members.
The Gallery at Kol Ami is open to the public Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. and Sunday from 10-12 p.m. All works are available for sale.
Our Permanent Collection
Located in the lobby leading into our sanctuary hangs our permanent exhibition by one of Israel’s most internationally acclaimed artists, Shalom of Safed (1887–1980). This collection of 18 pieces was donated to Kol Ami by Sophie and Bob Shapiro in honor of Rabbi Holin.
Born Shalom Moskowitz, Shalom was led by his Orthodox background and commitment to Hasidism to draw inspiration from biblical narratives. His works present narratives in highly imaginative visual detail, in horizontal panels of brightly colored images. Hebrew text at the bottom of his works offers the biblical quote that inspired him, and a Hebrew word or words in individual panels identify figures or locales, or the panel’s specific theme.
Shalom’s work has been the subject of exhibits in numerous leading art museums throughout the world, including the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Jewish Museum in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris.