Women of the Balcony 2

These two small panels remember and honor the relationship between men and women in the world of Orthodox synagogues. There is a flowing movement that connects the two panels. The women are upstairs; the men downstairs; the black tallis stripes flow down and frame the whole.

The flower fabric represents the female; it becomes a tallis bag in the top piece and a cushion in the lower one. This fabric is from an original cushion rescued from the Ohav Sholaum Synagogue. In the top piece the flower fabric bag encloses and holds the tallis — the male, and in the lower one the tallis becomes a man's arm and encloses and holds the flower fabric cushion — the woman.

The recurrent red/maroon color is found on all the memorial pieces. These panels also include a period cuff link, and (from the synagogue), brass name place holders and a tagged key. The key is for the locked cabinet in front of each man's seat where he kept his personal things. Lectern covers become the canvas and frame for both panels.