JAMM: The Jewish Art Museum of Minnesota

Reinventing Identity

2011-06-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

Reinventing your identity is an important way to stay relevant. I have spent the past several years while I was a graduate student working on the goal to establish a Jewish art museum of Minnesota. There is no question that this is a great idea and would be a plus to our community. However, recently I have redefined my goals...at least for now.

While at CJAM, I realized that perhaps a separate Jewish museum is not what is the most relevant way to share Jewish art history. I have decided that to be separated promotes isolation and the concept of "the other" in a way that continues that notion that Jews need to be tolerated.

Tolerance...I believe that this may not be a relevant term anymore either. Tolerance...I tolerate a pair of shoes that pinch my feet or I tolerate rush hour traffic...inconveniences. As a Jewish woman I no longer am able to accept the concept that my culture is tolerated. I deserve to be included!! So does my culture's art! It is time for existing art institutions to include Jewish art in their collections as well as explore the Jewish content within their existing works.

One way that has become important to me to share Jewish art history and to provide accessibility, enhanced learning and participation. Creating Jewish iPhone apps is one relevant way to engage users and provide Jewish art history globally. I consider this project like mobile Tikkun Olam- or repairing the world hand-in-hand. Mobile apps can actually make Jewish art history hip & fun with tap-worthy design, progressive technology and exploring Augmented Reality, GPS tours and gaming.

Another focus is publishing scholarship... critically important to contribute progressive scholarship (I have plenty of this!!) and to engage the next generation of Jewish art historians!

Online, journal articles, publications and books are formats to share new research.

Next: I am about to visit Munich Germany for 4 whole weeks! I am very excited to say that I will be visiting the Erfurt Treasure Trove. Look for some posts about the Erfurt Jewish wedding ring and my travels in Bavaria!

Torah Study Tweets: Torah Study Tweets- Zachor

2011-03-19T23:30:00.000-07:00

Torah Study Tweets: Torah Study Tweets- Zachor: Saul didn't kill Agag king of Amalek because he saw himself within him... What is our word in this world? Ac..."

Tweets from Council of America Jewish Museums Annual Conference

2011-02-27T21:10:00.000-08:00

paigedansinger paigedansinger

"Make sure you dream & dream big!" Henrietta Szold. #cajm11

4 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

paigedansinger paigedansinger

American Jewry can confidently celebrate identity in museums now in history. #cajm11 #AAMers

8 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

#Participation is key to success of National Jewish Museum!! Kids & adults can interact in a living space!! #cajm11 #AAMers

8 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

Oral histories or deceptive retrospect? How to refine accuracy of Jewish history? #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

Audience Qs.. Back to responsibility- how to engage nonJewish community? It's an American story. Universal story. #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

BetHaderej Bet Haderej

The Story of Ntl. Museum of Am. Jewish History.. How it evolved?? let's find out!! #cajm11 #AAMers @paigedansinger #bethaderej

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

Freedom also allows for discord. #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

America gave Jews opportunity for fight for freedom...streets not paved in gold!! Opportunity is produced from freedom! #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

What effects has freedom done for American Jewish people, culture & history? We had to fight for it... #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

Washington's preamble slams tolerance & claims that freedom is a basic human right!! #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

Museum concept is Freedom.. Freedom is contingent.. What kind of responsibilities & challenges are there?

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

How to make Jewish Art History fun??? I got some ideas..!!#cajm11 #AAMers Mobile gaming!!! #mtogo

9 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

Our story of freedom is complex.. also Holocaust story is not only story..and one of death. This museum is about life!! #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

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Museum dedicated to the maturity of Americans not just for Jews. The transformation of Jewish American liberty.. #cajm11 #AAMers

9 hours ago

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Why is the National Jewish Museum in Philly? What is democratic about this museum? It is in dialogue with Liberty Bell... #cajm11 #AAMers

10 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

The Story of Ntl. Museum of Am. Jewish History.. How it evolved?? let's find out!! #cajm11 #AAMers

10 hours ago

paigedansinger paigedansinger

#cajm11 starting!! Into speeches now... (@ National Museum of American Jewish History) http://4sq.com/eofzkz

10 hours ago

Torah Study Tweets: Torah Study Tweets-Mishpatim

2011-01-29T12:15:00.000-08:00

Torah Study Tweets: Torah Study Tweets-Mishpatim: "paigedansinger paigedansinger every strike is a fatal blow... listen up! Shabbat Shalom.3 hours ago paigedansinger paigedansinger Determine ..."

Torah Study Tweets- B'shalach

2011-01-15T23:14:00.000-08:00

http://torahstudytweets.blogspot.com/2011/01/torah-study-tweets-bshalach.html?spref=fb

Current Reading List for 15th C. Florentine Jewish Bride

2011-01-04T15:07:00.000-08:00

Florentine Jewish Feminine Identity

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Baskins, Christelle L. The Triumph of Marriage: Painted Cassoni of the Italian Renaissance. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston: Guttenberg Periscope Publishing Limited, 2008.

Bonfil, Robert. Jewish Life in Renaissance Italy. California: University of California Press, 1994.

Frank, Karen A. California Italian Studies Journal, 1(1). “From Egypt to Umbria: Jewish Women and Property in the Medieval Mediterranean,” University of California Santa Barbara, 2010.

Grossman, Avraham. Translated by Jonathan Chipman. Pious and Rebellious: Jewish Women in Medieval Europe. Massachusetts: Brandeis University, 2004.

Katz, Dana E. The Jew in the Art of the Italian Renaissance. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008.

Langdon, Gabrielle. Medici Women: Portraits of Power, Love and Betrayal from the Court of Duke Cosimo I. Canada: University of Toronto Press, 2006.

Mann, Viviane B. Gardens and Ghettos. The Jewish Museum, New York: University of California Press, 1989.

Musacchio, Jacqueline Marie. Art, Marriage, & Family in the Florentine Renaissance Palace. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2008.

Rosen, Tova. Unveiling Eve: Reading Gender in Medieval Hebrew Literature. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003.

Roush Sherry and Christelle L. Baskins. The Medieval Marriage Scene: Prudence, Passion, Policy. Tempe: Arizona State University, 2005.

Siegmund, Stefanie B. The Medici State and the Ghetto of Florence. California: Stanford University Press, 2006.

-----Jewish History 16. “Division of the Dowry on the Death of the Daughter: An Instance in the Negotiation of Laws and Jewish Customs in Early Modern Tuscany.” University of Michigan, (2002).

Sullam, Giovannina Reinisch, Ed. Jewish Art Treasures in Venice. Venice, Italy: Stamperia di Venice, n.d.

Domestic Objects of 15th C. Jewish Florentine Bride

2010-12-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

Jewish Communal Wedding Ring. Italy, 15th Century.

This ring and the following image of a cofanetto are fifteenth-century domestic objects that exhibit ownership by a bride from a Jewish household. Unlike Rome and other areas, the wedding ring was a critical object of matrimony in 15th century Florence. The ring symbolized the "ultimate evidence of marriage," (Musaccio). Few rings from this period survive as a result of being lost or melted down. This ring is typical of Jewish wedding rings from this period with an architectural motif and letter or words signifying "Mazel Tov," (good luck).

Cofanetto (Casket), Jeshurum Tober. Northern Italy, 15th Century. Jerusalem, The Israel Museum.

The mistress of a Jewish home owned this casket. It was likely intended to hold keys for the linen chests. The front represents three females performing laws specific for Jewish women: the separation of dough, immersion in a 'mikveh' or ritual bath, and lighting the Shabbat lights. A scroll with the blessing recited when performing the specific rituals accompany each figure. The top of the casket has eight dial sets labeled with Hebrew letters equivalent to the numbers one through twelve and the name of a type of linen. One dial has the name of the artist below it. The function of this casket was likely related to the prohibition against carrying anything on Shabbat as well as protection against the theft of her linens by using Hebrew characters.

Updated Italian Vocabulary for Research on 15th C. Jewish Florentine Bride

2010-12-03T19:42:00.001-08:00

Italian Vocabulary for Feminine Identity of the Florentine Bride

Page historylast edited by Paige Dansinger 0 mins ago

This list will be updated regularly and alphabetized when completed.

Vocabulary List for Italian

Vocabulary Words from Jacqueline Marie Musacchio, Art, Marriage & Family in the Florentine Renaissance Palace, (2010).

Da donna novella or da sposa- Bridal objects

Da parto- Birth objects

Da vedova- Widow's things

Donora- Dowry

Chermisi- Kermes carmine red dye

Lettuccino- Daybed

Cassoni (forzieri)- Marriage chests (painted from 1370-1470s)

Spallire- Painted wainscoting panels for bridal chamber

Desco da parto- Childbirth tray

Palazzo- Townhouse

Ricordanze- Record book with assets, accounts and inventories commonly noted by the man of the house

Mobili- Movable goods (objects including wife)

Immobili- Unmovable objects (land, buildings)

Catasto- Graduated household tax

Parenti- Parents

Amici- Friends

Vicini- Neighbors

Parentado- Larger group of concerned citizens

Sensali or Mezzani- Marriage broker (free)

Donora- Marital goods (aprox. 11-16% of dowry)

Poveri vergognosi- Shamed but worthy poor

Monte delle doti- A communal dowry fund, est. 1425 in Florence

Impalmamento- The handclasp between men that sealed the financial deal (the first step in marriage)

Giuamento- A notarized agreement (second step in marriage)

Anellamento- Handclasp of man & wife that signified their union, often ring was presented at this time

Diamante- Diamond (comes from Greek adamas, or invincible)

Donna Novella- New bride

Mattinata- A noisy spree that interrupts a marriage procession

Trombadori- Elite group of civic musicians who play at official celebrations

Dormire- To sleep [with the bride]

Tafferie da parto- Painted wooden bowl honoring childbirth

Forzerino- Betrothal chest

Betrothal chest or marriage casket. Smaller then cassoni- like the Emmbracci casket at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts http://www.artsmia.org/viewer/detail.php?v=12&id=1398

Fiore- Flower

Virtù- Virtue

Per la chamera mia- For my chamber

Rigattieri- Second-hand dealers

Masserizie- Key possessions of lineage of familial identity

Compari- Baptismal sponsors/ co-parents

Consorterie- Extended family groups

Casa- House & family

Sgraffito- Plaster facade of house scratched with ornamental motifs

Altana- Covered terrace of house

Impannate- Fabric stretched window frames on inside of shutters

Gamurra- Underdress (shift)

Guarnello- Informal overdress

Piffero- Piper

Guardadonna- Afterbirth attendant for woman

Acquaio- Wall fountain

le Dipinture- Paintings

Dipintore di camera- Chamber painter

Imbiancatore- White washer

Lettiere- High backed raised platformed beds with attached side chests

Fornimento- Bedroom furniture ensemble

Vespe- Wasps

Api- Bees (Ape di miele- honeybee)

Arazzo- Tapestry

Vendure- Field of flowers woven on tapestries

Portiera- Door hanging

Onesta e bella- "honest and beautiful" commonly inscribed on forzerini

Schatola- Betrothal box (different then forzerini)

Forzieri- Pair of large forzerini or cassoni provided by groom's family at bethrothal

Zana- A basket one could send dowry in

Forzerinai- Chest-makers (part of the stone & woodworker's guild)

Vespaio- Hairnet

Cinturai- Girdle makers for belts worn by both genders with ornate girdle-ends (part of the silk guild or goldsmiths)

Chape- Girdle, or belt, ends

Chiavacuora- A "heart-key" another name for a marriage girdle

Guardacoure da parto- Nightshirt for new mother to wear after delivery of baby

Tovagliolini- Childbirth cloths

Bambini- Babies, sometimes dolls signifying the Christ-child for new brides to hold. Usually part of a dowry including pedestal, crib, pearls & clothing

Bella- Beautiful