Judith of Serebrin Books & Prints

This book was made for a show commemorating Israel’s 60th anniversary.

I had been participating in a Jewish/

Palestinian dialogue for about five years.

What has struck me most in meeting with Palestinians, is how much more alike we are than different. I met Denise Nazzal in this group. Over the years of getting to know her and looking at her beautiful big-curly hair, it became a metaphor for this similarity, as I also had dark-curly hair. I wanted to show what was in the minds and hearts of two women, in roughly the same generation, who grew up in the United States, but were connected to Israel/Palestine.

 

The book can be read from either direction. We've both answered the same questions regarding where and how we grew up; what is our connection with Israel/Palestine, what did we learn about each other's groups growing up, and where do we find hope for the future.

 

My Birthday wish for Israel/Palestine:

 

“This being one of the touchiest of subjects, I will dare

venture to say…

I want to give Israel a heartfelt 60th birthday wish, your existence means a great deal to me, and I believe it to be of tremendous historical importance. Its existence is an extraordinary feat. Yet, it lies atop a great tragedy—the pushing out and the oppression of the Palestinian people. I have no doubt of Israel’s continued existence and that it will have many birthdays to come. My birthday wish is that you and your people will find the strength to face all the struggles that lay ahead in order to find true safety without violence and oppression, but with integrity and creativity. A wish to both Jews and Palestinians to look forward, not back, to extend a welcoming hand to your neighbor, so that in Israel’s 60th year there may also be a first birthday for the Palestinian people. And I will stand by you both.”

 

Written by Judith Serebrin & Denise Nazzal

Design, Photography & Binding by Judith Serebrin

Concertina binding with decorative cloth-covered covers, slip on band with title.

Digital print; Epson Stylus Pro 7600 with ultrachrome inks on Arches watercolor paper, 90lb. Typeface, Skia.

9 x 4.25" x .5”

Edition of 6

 

Created with hope by Judith Serebrin ©2009

In the collections of the authors; Florida Atlantic University, Wimbereley Library Special Collections; University of Washington Libraries, Allen Library Special Collections; Mills College, Olin Library Special Collections.