Page 7 - The Jewish Voice - January '22

The Jewish Voice, Page 7

Local Happenings from page 6 Learn About the

Diane Abrams shared the couple’s encounters with Magic of Art Glass
the Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of which ended in a blessing
that resulted in the birth of their second child when Diane By J.B. Berkow, Founder and President of BCCA
was close to 50 years of age. Diane is a published author For those of you who have never experienced the magic of
of numerous articles on women’s rights and issues facing working with hot glass, now you have a state-of-the-art facility
the Jewish community. She disclosed that her new book right in your own backyard!
titled My Grandmother’s Candlesticks - Feminism and When the City of Lake Worth Beach inherited an
Judaism, a Multi-Generational Memoir was written at Historic FEC Train Depot building, they didn’t know what
the Rebbe’s urging and explained that it is her answer to to do with it. But the minute that founder and professional
those who did not understand how a woman could be loyal artist J.B. Berkow entered the gigantic 14,000-square-foot Two “Experience Classes” going on at the Benzaiten Center’s
to Jewish tradition and also play an important role in the warehouse, she knew exactly what to do with it! Eight years hot shop
larger world. later, after a massive infusion of cash for a major build-out
The program was followed by kiddush and a themed and procurring an experienced highly qualified staff, this Our fusing and flameworking classes take place in
gourmet Shabbat dinner, “Pesce & Prosecco.” once-rundown warehouse is abuzz with creative synergistic a 1,500-square-foot air-conditioned studio. As with the
energy and activity. glassblowing “Experience,” the novice can sign up for an
initial class in fusing or flameworking. If they like it, they
can simply sign up for additional classes until they become
proficient in their preferred discipline. People who are not
familiar with these mediums might wonder, “What are fusing
and flameworking?”
Fusing begins with cold glass. Absolutely no artistic ability
is required for taking up this fun form of expression. It simply
involves working with different shapes and forms of glass
available in a wide variety of colors. Frit, which is a crushed
form of glass, can also be incorporated into the designs, as

This picture was taken at the beginning of the reconstruction
process. Every one of the 448 windowpanes had to be replaced.

The center now offers beginning, intermediate, and
advanced classes in glassblowing, fusing, and flameworking.
“The Experience” glassblowing class is an introduction that
gives the novice the feel for what it takes to gather glass on
the end of a blowpipe, add color to the glass, and then blow
or sculpt the hot glass into either a bowl, a drinking glass, a
flower, or a paperweight. Intermediate and advanced classes
are offered in six-week sessions in the evenings. After these Two mothers with their sons taking a group class in the fusing
more extensive courses, one should then be able to come studio
in and rent studio time working one on one with one of our
staff members. Local Happenings on page 8

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