Page 8 - The Jewish Voice - January '22

Page 8, The Jewish Voice

During the event, guests of all ages enjoyed TikTok dance
Local Happenings from page 7 Hanukkah Celebration Draws lessons led by dance superstar and instructor Sean Green, fun
well as very thin strings of glass, called stringers. The student More than 400 music by a DJ from Bash Entertainment, photo opps with
combines all these glass elements onto another piece of clear Hanukkah characters “Mr. Dreidel” and “Ms. Menorah,” face
glass. When the design is ready, the combination of elements The last Hanukkah candle was lit across the world painting, sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and more.
and clear glass are placed into a kiln, which fuses them together. and locally on December 5 as more than 400 community
After removing the fused glass from the kiln, the student selects members gathered during a festive celebration presented
a ceramic mold, and the fused piece of glass is placed over it. by Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County in Downtown
The mold with the fused glass on top is put back into the kiln. West Palm Beach.
During this second heating cycle, the fused glass slumps over
the mold, taking the shape of it and creating a decorative bowl,
votive candleholder, or platter.
Flameworking is the process of working with colored
or clear glass rods in front of flame. The student can make a
myriad of fascinating creations. Typically, the student begins
by making a marble or a pendent. Jewelry makers love making
their own beads. Students can also make sculpted pieces like
the little figurines you may have seen at art fairs, or like those
made in Italy. After taking ten classes, a student may be deemed
proficient enough to work on their own, and may rent studio
time at a reasonable rate. An experienced instructor is always
on site for guidance and assistance, if necessary. Local Happenings on page 10
The Benzaiten Center
for Creative Arts is in the
process of developing a Compassion and gratitude enable
glass casting department.
When this department is
under way, our skilled and Random Acts of Kindness Program
accomplished staff will use
this intricate and difficult
technique to take an artist’s at La Posada
work and cast it in glass,
resulting in a glass version
of the original piece. To The holiday season is funds for the local Alzheimer’s Foundations to raise
our knowledge, there is one of togetherness and awareness of the disease.
no other facility in the thankfulness, allowing Such actions show the heart of the community
United States providing A student working one on one with friends and family to unite but only scratch the surface of how the residents and
this service. It can be a teacher in the flameworking and reflect on the blessings associates at La Posada share their blessings with the
extremely expensive and studio of the previous year. During greater Palm Beach Gardens community. Many of the
time-consuming this time, many are focused community’s residents and associates are members
for a sculptor to do on how they can give back of various boards, as well as volunteers within their
his own casting, and show kindness to the personal churches, synagogues and other organizations.
as this requires greater community around “Perhaps I’m biased, but I truly believe that La Posada has
specific materials them. This mindset of giving some of the most compassionate and generous individuals
and a special type is one that La Posada, a Kisco who live and work here,” said Brad Cadiere, Executive
of studio. Thus, senior living community in One of the most important Director of La Posada. “At La Posada, we believe in the
by provi di ng Palm Beach Gardens, works elements of what makes importance of supporting one another and that level of
this service to to enact throughout the year La Posada special is the compassion is something that comes directly from our
professional artists, — not just at the holidays. senior living community’s people. Having the opportunity to show kindness to those
our center will help Benzaiten founder, J.B. Berkow’s new One of the most commitment to serving others. within our walls and with our neighbors outside these walls
eliminate the need casted glass creations with flameworked important elements of what is something unique that has enabled us to learn more about
for local artists to roses and hand-painted embellishments makes La Posada special is the senior living community’s one another and appreciate the connectivity we all share.”
invest large amounts commitment to serving others. Throughout the year, residents As the community looks toward the beginning of a new
of money to set up their own glass-casting studio. Better still, it and associates at the community have participated in a year, plans are already underway to work together to continue
will free them up to create more of their own sculptures. variety of “acts of kindness” to serve one another within the supporting our neighbors and one another. This commitment
Do Not Miss Benzaiten’s Upcoming Visiting Artist Events in community, as well as La Posada’s surrounding neighbors. to community is something that defines La Posada’s enriched
January Featuring Renowned Artist Claire Kelly The random acts have enabled the senior living community lifestyle and one-of-a-kind total well-being programming.
• Thursday, Jan. 20, to Saturday, Jan. 22, features artist Claire the ability to engage with nearby neighbors, as well as “At La Posada, we encourage our residents to pursue
Kelly show gratitude to those who come into the community for their passions. Their kind hearts and grateful attitudes
• Thursday night, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Meet the Artist Cocktail short stretches. At La Posada, thankfulness is a mindset that inspire all of us to take time to think of others and reach
Reception, $50 has long been ingrained at the community and has been out with helping hands,” said Cadiere. “Our hope is that
• Friday night, 6 to 9 p.m., Artist Blow-Out featuring Claire reemphasized repeatedly over the past few years. through our random acts of kindness program, we will be
Kelly, $15 “From the very beginning, our community has been able to share a bit of the holiday spirit all year long. We
• Saturday afternoon, 1 to 4 p.m., Family Fun Day featuring focused on caring for, and supporting, one another,” said have the opportunity to make a difference and to create a
Claire Kelly, $0 Paulina Jacobs, Assistant Executive Director of La Posada. community that is welcoming and cares for everyone.”
Claire Kelly’s body “All of us have learned how important it
of work examines the is to show those we care for how much
relationships we have with we appreciate them, and that includes
animals and their larger our neighbors in the greater community.
presence in our world and Over the last year we’ve implemented
the current environment. our Random Acts of Kindness as a way
The result is a series of to give back and showcase what it means
fantastical microcosms, to be a part of the La Posada family.”
which bring a consciousness La Posada’s random acts of kindness
and introspection to their have taken place through a variety of
decorative appeal. Ms. Kelly venues, encouraging everyone at the
works with murinne, cane, Ethos by Claire Kelly community to find an opportunity to
and bright colors to create participate. So far this year, La Posada
her fascinating and whimsical works of art. Claire has been an has done everything from back-to-
instructor at Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School, school-supply drives and dessert special
the Pittsburgh Glass Center, The Studio at the Corning Museum deliveries, to appreciation for first
of Glass, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and the Centro responders and special birthday deliveries
Fundacion del Vidrio in Spain. She has been a resident artist at the for all residents and associates, to making
Pittsburgh Glass Center and received the Rosenberg Residency snack bag distributions to delivery
at Salem State University in Massachusetts. Recently, she was workers and other essential employees
an artist-in-residence at the Studio of the Corning Museum of who were visiting our community.
Glass, where she created a new body of work using specialty The luxury retirement living
glass from Effetre, a glass company based in Murano, Italy. community has also prepared
To learn more about Benzaiten’s Visiting Artist Programs, donation boxes for the Peggy Adams
visit the website at benzaitencenter.org. To reserve a spot at one Animal Rescue League and raised
of these events or to sign up for a class, call (561) 508-7315 or For more information on how you can participate or to learn more
email aholmes@benzaitencenter.org or just stop by Tuesday to
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. about Life at La Posada: Call 561-277-0680 or visit mylaposada.com
For any questions, do not hesitate to call J.B. Berkow at Paid Advertisement
(561) 310-9371 or email her at jbberkow65@gmail.com.