At RTA, art education is more than developing skills with brush or pencil — it is about giving students the tools to connect Jewish identity, history, and creativity in meaningful ways.

That vision came to life on Sept. 3, when more than 200 participants gathered at the Weinstein JCC for Brushstrokes of Tradition: RTA Students Reflect on Jewish Artists Through Art. The evening centered on an exhibit of original artwork by RTA students, presented alongside a community symposium on Judaism and art.

Displayed in the Sara D. November Gallery, the exhibit featured more than 70 works created by RTA students over two years of study. See a few of the works of art below and at the top.

 

 

 

 

Under the guidance of art instructor Erin Cross, students examined Jewish artists such as Marc Chagall, Roy Lichtenstein, Sol LeWitt, and Helen Frankenthaler, exploring how identity, culture, and history shaped their work.

Drawing on these influences, students produced their own pieces, blending interpretation with innovation and expressing their Jewish identity through visual art.

The program opened with a gallery walk led by Erin Cross, who guided guests through the exhibit and explained the process that brought it to life.

Following the gallery walk, Head of School Rabbi Elisha Paul welcomed the audience and introduced the evening’s program. Erin then invited seventh grader Emunah Kerzhner, who won third place in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Survivor Stories art competition (grades 7–12 category), to speak about the process of creating her award-winning piece. Emunah shared the inspiration and meaning behind her artwork, offering guests a glimpse into how Jewish history and memory can be expressed through student creativity.

Building on the celebration of student artwork, the evening continued with the Judaism & Art Symposium panel discussion, where Erin Cross, RTA’s Art and STEM Instructor, joined Elie Glyn of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Dr. Mia Laufer of the Chrysler Museum of Art, and artist Hillel Smith, founder of the Jewish Street Art Festival, in a conversation moderated by Rabbi Paul.

 

The panelists—artists, curators, and museum leaders—explored the intersection of Jewish tradition and artistic practice across different periods and mediums. Their reflections highlighted how art education deepens Jewish learning, inspiring creativity, cultural pride, and engagement with heritage.

The evening concluded with a wine-and-cheese reception in the gallery, giving guests more time to view the exhibit, connect with the student artists and panelists, and continue conversations sparked by the program.

Feedback from participants was enthusiastic. One attendee described the event as a “wonderful, out-of-the-box program,” while another shared that “the art exhibit was so beautifully curated, and it’s such a joy to see what the kids have created.” Many expressed pride in seeing young students embrace Jewish themes through artistic expression and excitement at the community-wide response.

The panel discussion added depth and context to the exhibit, reminding us how Jewish art has evolved across time and continues to inspire. Most importantly, the evening reflected the strength of Jewish learning and creativity at RTA, and the pride the community shares in nurturing the next generation.