Temple Beth Israel program seeks hidden treasures

Do you think the antiques in your attic could be hidden treasures? Or, are you curious about the story behind them?

Second-generation antiques dealer Arthur Feldman will hold a three-day program about Jewish arts and antiques this weekend at Temple Beth Israel that will end Sunday with “Treasures From Your Attic,” a Jewish “Antiques Roadshow”-style program. (See box for the schedule.)

Feldman has served as director of Chicago’s Maurice Spertus Museum of Judaica, curator at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and visiting curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He went on to serve as executive director of the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art in Tulsa, Okla., and today operates the Arthur M. Feldman Judaica Gallery in Highland Park, Ill.

At Sunday’s event, the public can bring up to three Judaica items. Feldman will appraise the items and put them in historical perspective and discuss current collecting, preservation and valuation trends.

Ron Taub, who got to know Feldman at least 30 years ago when he served on the board of the Maurice Spertus Museum of Judaica, and his daughter, Marcia Taub, are sponsors of the weekend. They are sponsoring the program in honor of the late Bertha Taub, wife of Ron and mother of Marcia.

“He was and is an expert on Judaica artwork and its value, and he’s also an expert on antiques,” Ron Taub said.

He plans to bring a few paintings by the famed artist Shalom of Safed that his friend bought him, saying the artist was about to become famous. He was right. The artist, who began painting late in life, became known as one of the most acclaimed Israeli artists of the 20th century.

Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Jonathan Katz said Feldman will take a look at several items in the synagogue before Sunday’s program. He is eager to learn the story behind several items, including a metallic Torah and arc, along with a large iron menorah.

“Hopefully, he can tell the story of what we have that we may not know in terms of origins,” Katz said.

Jewish Art and Appraise Judaica schedule
• 5:30 p.m. March 28 — In “10 Portraits of Jews in the 20th Century,” Arthur Feldman will discuss Andy Warhol and his depiction of Jewish luminaries in the 1980s, including how perceptions of the series have changed 34 years later.

• 10 a.m. March 29 — Feldman will provide a visual survey of the artistry of Marc Chagall.

• 10:30 a.m. March 30 ­­— Feldman will allow members of the community to bring and share stories about up to three Judaica items to learn about their history and have them appraised. Cost is free for Temple Beth Israel members; $15 for nonmembers in advance and $20 at the door.

For information, call 383-3428.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]