In FMP I aim to research how Jewish experience varies between different generations, for example, my younger sister who has no interest in Judaism, and my grandma who is very closely connected to her religion. I want to spark conversations that may not occur without careful instruction and use visual communication to convey stories and ideas that have been left unheard. I also want to explore all the different manifestations of Judaism that exist beyond the boundaries of my own family. Growing up I was mainly only exposed to Reform Judaism as we went to a reform synagogue but I would like to look into how Orthodox families live. I’d also like to look at the traditions and experiences of those belonging to other religions and the similarities and differences between them and Jewish traditions. 

Throughout this project, I want to facilitate connections using conversational tools and explore the aspects of Judaism that create bonds, such as food, location, holidays, dance, and Jewish songs. I want to document all of these aspects using all the methods of illustration I’ve learned on foundation as well as methods beyond drawing such as with writing, collage, film, audio, and photography. In addition, I want to look at memory through objects and the stories behind personal possessions of people in my family and other families. I like when a simple object becomes part of a yearly tradition, for example, the Channukiah I made when I was 7 that we use every year for lighting the candles. The prayer sheet my mum illustrated for us when we were younger to make Rosh Hashanah more interesting. I also want to look into the tradition of Friday night dinner and how it differs between each family. I’d love to document another family's Friday night dinner and look at their processes and conversations, food and prayers. During FMP the Jewish holiday Pesach (Passover) will occur which celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This holiday, despite being one of sad origins is my favourite for many reasons. Each piece of food on the Seder plate is representative of an aspect of the Passover story, for example, the boiled egg in saltwater represents the tears of the slaves. Growing up I found this fascinating, especially after watching Prince of Egypt which is still one of my favourite animated films. This year I will approach this holiday differently, I want to research how we gather as a family, the way we instinctively sing the prayer songs I never remember learning but somehow know. 

I want to re-approach this part of my life as a visual communicator and learn about my religion through my own means of understanding. 

Political land taught me how to research with sensitivity, it also taught me the importance of conversation with people who have first-hand knowledge of a subject to get a first-hand viewpoint which I will utilise in FMP. Finally, all weather taught me the joys of observing and editing. I loved this project as it taught me how to observe in a constructive way, how to pick a place apart and gather the best and most interesting bits. I learnt how to draw quickly with wet materials and how to be even more confident with lines. I will use this when going back to my old communities and exploring new places.  

I will look at the YIVO Institute for historical references, its archives and library hold a lot of useful information as well as it’s many online exhibitions. The centre for Jewish history also has a lot of interesting online exhibitions such as ‘Nourishing Tradition: Jewish Cookbooks & the Stories They Tell’. This exhibition highlighted the importance of food especially in Jewish culture as food has served as religious as well as cultural throughout history. It showed a variety of different cookbooks from widely published to family heirlooms which I found interesting as I would like to explore how objects carry memory. Alvin Lustig’s book, Jewish Holiday Dances, inspired me through its use of colour, shapes and collage that invoke the same joyous emotions that jewish dances bring about. Published in 1948, the book combines classic Jewish symbols and imagery with photos of popular dances in a playful and interesting way which is something I would like to communicate in my research.  

I was inspired by Dal Park’s animated short West Question East Answer as I admire how well she depicts generational divide of opinions between her and her grandmother. I also love how she uses audio to enhance the experience of watching and uses interview recordings haphazardly so you  are left in suspense. She manages to make a very serious topic playful which is something I want to look at in my project as judaism can encompass both of those things. I want to use interviews and the tool of animation to tell stories that are relatable yet deeply personal. I also love her use of hand-drawn animation as it feels personal and delicate mimicking the subject choice. 

I’ve been watching Yonotan Tal’s animations on Youtube since I discovered them in 2016 and his one week film ‘Overweight’ links very well with my topic. I like the way he shows abstract ideas of personality and identity in a simple but effective way that make you emphasise and relate. I’d like to use this in FMP to show my disillusionment with judaism and others who used to feel the same whose opinions have shifted.