The Survivor’s Star

IMAGE OF THE WEEK
The Survivor's Star© Durga Yael Bernhard

In honor of Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Memorial Day, I offer this dark painting.  The Survivor’s Star was painted in 2008 as a study for a larger painting titled Regina’s Star.  Both paintings show my grandmother, Regina Loewe, contemplating the life she left behind – and the family she never saw again – when she emigrated to New York from Hungary at the age of 18.

My grandmother had a characteristic way of holding her hand to her cheek, especially when she was deep in reflection, often covering one eye with fingers pressed together. Sandwiched between the orthodoxy of Eastern Europe and the new world of America, she survived the Holocaust, but lost her faith and severed her connection to Judaism after her entire family perished.

My grandmother never spoke of what happened in the past, but her silence made a deep impression on me as a child. Deep within her, the roots of her heritage continued to live and were passed on. Three generations later, those roots have emerged into the light of day through her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The yellow star that her kin were forced to wear to their deaths is transformed here into a window into the soul that shines with new light.

 Order The Survivor’s Star as a POSTER this week, and get a free greeting card (of the same image)!   $10 for the poster and card, shipping included.  Order your poster here.  Your can also order a six-pack of cards for $15.  Order greeting cards by filling in the title here.

A good week to all,

D Yael
Yael


http://dyaelbernhard.com

Author / Illustrator of
THE HUNGRY HAGGADAH: A Passover Story in Rhyme
THE JEWISH EYE – 2016 /5776 calendar of art
JUST LIKE ME, CLIMBING A TREE: Exploring Trees Around the World
NEVER SAY A MEAN WORD AGAIN – A Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review;
winner of the Sydney Taylor Award and National Jewish Book Council Award
THE DREIDEL THAT WOULDN’T SPIN – A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah
WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING – A Children’s Book Council Notable Book
GREEN BIBLE STORIES FOR CHILDREN – Nat’l Green Book Festival Notable Book
A RIDE ON MOTHER’S BACK – An American Bookseller Assoc. Pick of the List
– and more!
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