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Jared Bernstein

@courageouschicken

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COURAGEOUS CHICKEN: A journey to living courageously, portrayed through paintings and poems🐥.
Photography work @jaredbernsteinphoto

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When Jared Bernstein became Torah observant, he stopped painting — for 16 years. But he started again and came to an important realization about himself and creativity.

#facesoforthodoxy #jewishlife #jewishandproud #jewishart #jewishartist #photojournalists #artistsofinsta

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“As a teen struggling with self-worth, drawing & photography were a way to communicate, my solace where I could be courageous & safe. At 20, I started doing photo collages. Soon, I was a professional photographer in Manhattan working with celebrities, rock stars, politicians & real estate moguls. I’d photograph them on their yachts, in their private homes & at their after-parties. I saw how artificial and meaningless it all was. It made me understand that this life wasn’t what I wanted or needed. But I was creating all the time & that was my oxygen. I was also making a lot of money.

I was blown away by an artist I had met & knew I had to start painting. Painting was therapeutic, a way for me to put the pieces together. I started doing shows & was featured in galleries, but I still had work to do. Even though I was successful, I had no idea who I was or where I was going. Getting married & having kids seemed impossible. Due to my childhood, I had a tremendous fear of failing as a husband and a father. But the prospects for my future changed when I met two incredible role models. A friend invited me to a Jewish camping trip in Pennsylvania – I happened to have had a wedding shoot that Sunday 20 minutes away from the campsite!

Upon meeting the two organizers of the trip, I felt like I had reverted to my 10-year-old self who knew there had to be a G-d. These two men & their families embodied godliness. As I got to know them, I felt accepted, loved & supported for the first time in my life. It didn’t take long for me to conclude that there is a G-d & I deserve this life. This was real, & this was what I wanted.

It took 2 years for me to stop working on Shabbos, my biggest work day. And then my business collapsed. But I started to rebuild.

At 36, I met my wife through a friend. We moved to Israel in 2003 so I could learn & then made Israel our permanent home.

The biggest reason I’m here is because of the opportunity to have a closer relationship with Hashem. There’s a tangible spirituality in the air. On my first trip to Israel, I felt Hashem was knocking at my door. This is where I had to be. And He’s had my back the whole time.”

- Jared Bernstein

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“I’m the owner of Rosenbach Contemporary Art Gallery on King David Street in Jerusalem. The gallery exhibits & promotes contemporary Jewish & Israeli art.

I didn’t grow up observant. At 19, I spent a year on a kibbutz. Following a year at Brandeis U, I made Aliyah as a Labor Zionist & finished my degree in economics at Hebrew U. That year I became a baal teshuva (observant) & after completing my degree, began to study in yeshiva. A year later, my wife Guila & I got married in Jerusalem. Guila grew up in France & made Aliyah the same year as me. Today, we have 7 children & over 30 grandchildren, all Hebrew speakers living in the Holy Land.

For almost 30 years, my day begins in the Mir Yeshiva where I learn Torah. I was never afraid of the outside world. I’m also never apologetic. Being Haredi in the working world can be challenging at times.

After directing a major gallery & auction house for 18 years, I opened Rosenbach Contemporary in 2015. I only exhibit artists living & working in Israel. I evaluate talent, yet as importantly, seek self-expression in the artist. Tourists are our main clients, as we’re located next to the Waldorf Astoria. Business is very slow. Tourism has greatly suffered. Each sale is a minor miracle.

G-d gives sustenance in times of peace and war. The lessons in faith have been amazing. Most days no one comes in. Since the war began, some months we cover costs. Others we don’t. This past Sukkos was one of the busiest in Jerusalem in many years. The streets & hotels were packed. Customers were planning to come back after the holiday to buy. Yet everything changed on Simchat Torah. Since then the streets have been empty.

People are coming on missions. Yet a common remark is, ‘We came to support, not to buy.’ I’m not sure people realize how difficult the situation is for small businesses. When you buy a painting, you’re doing a chesed (act of kindness) for the artist. Artists paint because they must; it’s part of their soul. It’s almost as difficult for them when people aren’t coming to view their art as when they’re not buying. You’re not splurging when you’re buying art. You’re supporting several families.”

Uri Rosenbach

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Breaking Through - A Journey of Courage and Creativity

Artist and author Jared Bernstein will lead us in an engaging discussion about how our self-perceptions can impact our professional and personal lives. As a photographer since 1987, Jared eventually “turned the camera around” and began to explore his inner artistic voice. From 2018–2021 Jared produced paintings and poems that are the basis for the highly-acclaimed book, “Courageous Chicken”. And Jared came to understand that his self-revelations have a universal message. Hear his inspiring story and learn from his insights about courage and creativity.

RSVP: Tinyurl.com/Design-Hub

Monday June 17 11AM-1PM
Presentation from 11:30-12:30

#camera #photography #learn #learnandlunch #creativity #courage #selfperception #artistic #voice #author #story #artist #impact #journey

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Each time I face my fears and walk through
I'm triumphant
I could have easily changed my course, given up, folded my hand
My choice
Embrace the scared, vulnerable and obedient “chicken” in me
Courageously transforming into a powerful, fearless warrior that doesn’t allow thoughts
Like rejection, abandonment or failure dissuade him
My weakness connects me to my greatest strength
Vulnerability

We already know Jared Bernstein to be a greatly talented photographer, but did you know he is an artist and a poet as well?
This new collection of vibrant art along side his witty and insightful poems would make a fantastic Chanukah present for the entire family!
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#sefervesefel #art #poetry #jaredbernstein #newbooks #israeliauthor #chanukah #giftbooks #coffetablebooks #jerusalembusinesses #jerusalem #jerusalemenglishspeakers #englishreadersinisrael

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