Souls in a Sacred Space
The Philadelphia area portraits hang, once again, in the sacred space of the sanctuary at Beth Am Israel synagogue in Penn Valley, PA. Beth Am Israel, BAI, was introduced to Souls Shot Portrait Project through the participation of artist Elisa Abeloff and she has fulfilled the mission of the Project by guiding her congregation to an activist role in the ongoing quest to end epidemic violence. Elisa along with Corinne Hackman (another of our participating artists),Tali Perlman, and Gari Weilbacher have become liaisons to CeaseFirePA and together planned the powerful program that was held in person and on zoom Thursday, January 12 amidst the exhibition.
Rabbi David Ackerman welcomed the over one hundred attendees as they enjoyed wonderful food and drink while they viewed the exhibition. As everyone assembled in the beautiful sanctuary space, I was able to give a brief history and update on Souls Shot Portrait Project. I was followed by the gripping remarks of artist Amanda Condict, her partner in the Project, Marcia Hatchett, mother of Craig Hatchett, Jr., artist Corinne Hackman, her partner Deborah DeShields, mother of David Anthony Dunbar, and poet and artist Cathleen Cohen. We were treated to a preview of the film produced by Maxayn Gooden and the Credible Messenger Reporting Project , “Lasting Impact”. Two young men are interviewed about their experience with the after effects of gun violence. One was a good friend of Maxayn’s son, Jah’sun, who was shot and killed over Thanksgiving before he could graduate from the high school they both attended. It was immensely tragic to hear of this young man’s pain and struggle to believe how this could have happened. Maxayn, like many of the family members, in particular mothers, has worked tirelessly to help young people such as these young men, and to work for a more tolerant society in honor of Jah’sun.
Maxayn spoke to the rapt crowd following the film clip and was followed by a poetry reading by Sandra Choukroun.
Those in attendance were visibly moved by the program and the portraits and most lingered for some time after the program to connect and commune with the souls in the portraits.
We are so grateful for this opportunity to strengthen our mission and our numbers in our efforts to move towards peace.
Thank you, again, to BAI, Elisa, Tali, Gari, Corinne, Amanda, Marcia, Cathy, Deborah, Maxayn, Sandra, and Rabbi David. And to the wonderful sponsors of the event: CeaseFirePA, Overbrook Presbyterian Church, Jahworld18, and Women of Valor74.
Laura Madeleine
Artist Amanda Condict speaking to the crowd of over 120 attendees, live and virtual. In the front row is Marcia Hatchett, mother of Craig Hatchett, Jr., whose portrait by Condict is in the exhibition at Beth Am Israel.
Craig’s Voice, Portrait of Craig Hatchett, Jr., by Amanda Lee Condict, acrylic, 16” x 20”, 2023. From the artist: “After talking with his family and learning how he . . . kept a journal detailing his process and thoughts, I decided to use his works, his own voice, to illuminate his personality in the portrait.”