The Catalan Mahzor Suite
The Catalan Mahzor (C. 1280), is a medieval Spanish Jewish manuscript. Through a remarkable use of illuminations constructed from words of ancient Hebrew Psalms, the Mahzor weaves a stirring story of spiritual redemption. Following the Spanish expulsion, the manuscript traveled to Italy, Syria, Turkey, Germany, and the United States, concealed by local communities. Currently, it is housed at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem. Mesmerized by the beauty and mystery of this outstanding manuscript, I created The Catalan Mahzor Suite (2023), a full-length immersive art performance combining original music, dance, and visuals.
To create this project, I collaborated with two renowned artists: choreographer and dancer Rachel Linsky, and string player Beth Bahia Cohen.
The Catalan Mazhor Suite premiered at The Vilna Shul in Beacon Hill, MA in November 2023, as part of the Boston Festival of New Jewish Music. Since then, it has been performed at several prestigious venues including Brooklyn's Center For New Jewish Culture, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Hebrew College (Newton, MA), ArrowFest Cambridge, and Congregation Kahal B'raira Cambridge.
I began my work on the Catalan Mahzor Suite during a 2022-2023 JArts Boston and CJP Community Creative Fellowship.
