אמור |Emor

Nehama Golan, Israel

The four chapters of this portion contain 52 occurrences of the various forms of this cognate קדש / k-d-sh.  A priestess figure holds her palms forward in the manner of the universal practice of the kohanim, descendants of Aaron and the High Priests from the time of the Temple, when giving the priestly blessing. The use of the image of a woman in the priestly role expresses the possibility of gender equality for women who are not permitted this role in traditional Jewish practice, even though they may also be descendants of the kohanim clan. The priestess figure is mirrored, replicating the figure of the Queen in a deck of cards. Mirroring of the figure symbolizes קדושה / holiness in the Heavens and on Earth.

Professional Background  Nechama Golan was born in Israel in 1947. She studied visual art at the Avni Institute and art therapy at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1996, she began her studies in philosophy at Bar-Ilan University. The focus of her work is the tension between traditional Judaism and feminism. Golan has exhibited widely in group and solo shows throughout Israel and abroad. She lives and works in Bnei Brak, Israel.