Joel Mesler: The Rabbis at Cheim & Read

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending an incredible gallery show at Cheim & Read. The event was called "The Rabbis," and it showcased a series of powerful works by Israeli-born painter Eitan Shavit.

As soon as I entered the gallery, I was struck by the intensity of each painting. Each work depicted a rabbi in various forms—some wearing traditional religious garments and others in more contemporary attire—and all facing outward with expressions ranging from serene to solemn to sorrowful. It felt like these rabbis were reaching out to me from within their frames, inviting me into their world and beckoning for a deeper understanding of their plight.

I moved through the gallery slowly, allowing myself time to contemplate each painting before moving on to the next one. Every piece transported me into its own universe: some evoked feelings of nostalgia while others stirred up empathy or resonated with my own spiritual journey over time. At every turn, I found something new that made me ponder even further about life's many complexities and contradictions that we often overlook during our day-to-day routines.

Overall, this show was truly remarkable in both execution and concept; it offered viewers an immersive experience that is rarely seen elsewhere today! If you have not already done so, be sure to check out "The Rabbis" before it closes at Cheim & Read – you won't regret it!