The Mezuzah Message at the Heller Museum

At this time of rising antisemitism, the Heller Museum invited leading contemporary artists to conceive of innovative designs for the mezuzah, an object of biblical origin that affirms our Covenant with God and publicly proclaims our faith. Seventeen artists imaginatively revisioned this traditional Jewish ceremonial object, which is affixed to the doorposts of our homes, Jewishly-purposed edifices, and the rooms within. Their mezuzot are on exhibition in The Mezuzah Message at the Heller Museum at HUC/New York, opening on January 30 and on view through June 26, 2025.

Curator Phyllis Freedman explains, "The mezuzah (meaning doorpost) is a case bearing a klaf (hand-lettered parchment scroll) with words from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21. It contains the Shema prayer, "Hear O Israel! Adonai is our God, Adonai is One," and continues with instructions on how to love God, keep God's commandments, and teach them to one's children." The mezuzah is affixed on the right side, at the top third, of a doorpost.

Saying "these times call for Jews to step up and step out with bold proclamations of our Jewish identity," artists Ellen Alt and Lawrence Conley physically expand upon the concept of the mezuzah with their Mezuzah Unscrolled, a large retractable banner and case displaying the prayers and celebrating identity with color and texture.

Artist Naomi Grossman describes her mezuzah as "strong and resilient like wire and steel but also fragile in these fragile and uncertain times." Our Home, her large-scale wire sculpted mezuzah of two hands cradling the biblical inscription of the parchment scroll and the scroll itself, projects the idea that the mezuzah protects us as well as our beliefs and traditions.

Artist Deborah Ugoretz notes, "The mezuzah is a signifier of transitional space in which God dwells. According to the Sages, since it is neither in nor out, this liminal void delineates the space that is a holy space." Her papercut mezuzah, In and Out, features a grid of small rectangular voids, simulating doorways opening inward or outward. It is believed that the concept of creating symbolic designs out of cut paper, dating back to the 17th century, was brought to Europe by Jewish merchants from their visits to China.

"We hope our campus community and the larger public will find new meaning in the mezuzah for our times," says Heller Museum Director Jean Bloch Rosensaft. "Created with unexpected materials, reflecting diverse styles, and ranging in scale from monumental to diminutive, these artists' mezuzot bring new energy to a traditional Jewish ritual object. "The Mezuzah Message" creatively demonstrates how Jewish identity can be declared and celebrated today."

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