A representation of Yeshiva University’s artistic presence gathered in the cozy Stanton Hall student lounge on a Thursday evening in November to attend the unveiling of the latest edition of Something Rich and Strange, YU’s Journal of Fine Arts.
The staff member headlining the event was Jen Davis, photography professor at SCW. Davis joined the Rich and Strange students of Yeshiva University to talk about her recently published book of photographs and to discuss how photography as an art form shaped her life. Davis shared some of her high and low points as she navigated the constantly changing world of photography, emphasizing that pushing herself was what brought the most success. “You have passion – if you have a desire to challenge yourself and make yourself scared, you’re paving your way in the world.”
After Davis’ words of wisdom, this eclectic group of Yeshiva University students milled around enjoying the Indian cuisine and each other’s company, discussing art and admiring the latest edition of Something Rich and Strange. It was at this time that I had a chance to corner some of the journal’s editors and submitters and get the real deal on YU’s only Journal of Fine Arts.
Mia Guttman, a Stern student set to graduate in 2013 and co-editor of the drawing and painting section of Something Rich and Strange, sat down with me first. To her, the Fine Arts Journal represents a means of showing her work, which included a self-portrait submission in the journal. According to Mia, there are not many opportunities in YU for arts and humanities majors to showcase their accomplishments. Dov Honick (YC ’14), a History major who moonlights as a photographer, agreed, adding that he considers it “cool” to see what others thought of his work.
Aimee Rubensteen, an Art History major and a senior at SCW, mentioned in an interview that her goal was to make this gathering intimate to show its importance. Fellow senior Evan Schwartzbaum agreed, saying that he wanted to make “a community of artists and art at YU,” something that, in his words, is “sometimes hard to come by.” Both leaders made it clear that this gathering was what they hoped would be the first of many.
Then I found Arel Kirshstein. With two poems in the journal, one of which was the provocative poem entitled “I Am Gay,” he no doubt broke records at Yeshiva University for his forthright and no-nonsense message (as later echoed in his Commentator article). All smiles, Arel (YU Class of ’13) told me that he writes poetry as a hobby and that a friend encouraged him to submit to the journal. Clearly not wanting to divulge too much, Arel said that the poem’s message was very personal but that it was “good to have it out there.”
The night’s closing note was Netanya Bushewsky (’13) performing a poetry slam entitled, Boa Constrictors Swallow Words. “It’s important to let Jewish kids know it’s good to be creative,” she had told me earlier during our interview. Later, as she performed her poem before the hushed audience, she seemed to embody her own vision.
One message that kept repeating itself in my interviews with the various members of this elite society was that YU is overwhelmed with science. Pre-med and pre-nursing and pre-research take center stage at our institution, and for good reason. Unfortunately, this means that the Arts often get overlooked, especially in a Jewish school where boundaries must be set up and abided by. What seems to be the goal of The Fine Arts Journal is to help this amalgam of Yeshiva University artists gain exposure. They want YU and the Jewish world in general to know that they exist. Jewish artists – regardless of their level of observance, denomination, or (yes, I’m going to say it) sexual orientation – deserve to have their voices heard, and Something Rich and Strange is the beginning of this for many of them.
Beyond a doubt, there is something rich and strange about these folks, who resurrected the YU LitMag and turned it into a community. These students use their art and creativity to define themselves, their heritage, and their religion. They take it to the next level. They are the voice of Yeshiva University, and Something Rich and Strange is their message.