I have created a collection of evocative paintings that bring back to life synagogues that were erased before, during and shortly after WWII. Working from archival photos, I paint images that show the beauty and importance of these lost buildings. Each painting is accompanied by a researched description of the synagogue – who built it, what the community was like, who destroyed it and what exists there now. andrea strongwater The project has grown over time and now includes over 100 paintings documenting the exteriors, interiors and history of 83 European synagogues. The collection is exhibited around the country. A comprehensive book is in the works with the Jewish Publication Society and University of Nebraska Press. When complete the project will tell, in a visual and visceral form, a history of Jewish life that ended in the middle of the 20th century.
A young adult book illustrating 20 synagogues, "Where We Once Gathered - Lost Synagogues of Europe", has been published and won two prestigious awards - a silver medal from the Independent Publishers Organization and a Book of the Year Finalist Award from Foreword Review. There is much interest in hearing, reading and seeing this project in greater depth. The new greatly expanded book extends the written text, adds interior views and includes an introduction by Ismar Shorsch, Chancellor Emeritus of the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York. The publishers need to cover the extra expense of printing more than 100 images at their best. A contribution to this project is a lasting memory to a world that needs to be remembered.
I am qualified for this work having been born into an observant Jewish family in New York. I was an artist at birth and earned a BFA from Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art and Planning.
Any amount of money you wish to donate would be hugely appreciated. $14,000 is the total needed to bring this book to print.
The Lost Synagogues is widely acknowledged to be an important contribution to Jewish history. Please become a part of that history by contributing today.
The Lost Synagogues is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Donations for the purposes of The Lost Synagogues of Europe must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
For more information please contact the artist. andrea.strongwater@gmail.com or 212 873-0905. www.astrongwaterdesigns.com
