Final Mourner’s Kaddish: 333 Days in Paintings by Max Miller

Opening Reception September 8, 2012 at 8:30 PM at Temple Beth Sholom.

Though the form varies, humanity’s expression of mourning transcends time, society, and culture.  In “Final Mourner’s Kaddish: 333 Days in Paintings by Max Miller,” the artist’s grief provides the inspiration for a vivid, moving, and cathartic account of his year spent saying Kaddish, the Jewish prayer of mourning, for his father. 

The 50 vibrant watercolors, considered by the artist to be a coherent unit, are painted on paper.  They depict the synagogues Mr. Miller visited in New York, Vermont, Ohio, and Florida.  Accompanying the images is the artist’s commentary, based on his thoughts, feelings and experiences with those he met during this pursuit.  While honoring the Jewish tradition of memorializing a parent, he came to learn a great deal about his father and their shared heritage.

While saying Kaddish has formally ended for Mr. Miller, bringing this project to fruition provides an opportunity for those within the Jewish community, and for those in other communities, of all ages, to witness and honor the tradition of the Mourner’s Kaddish, and to reflect on their own humanity and spiritual journeys.