FIU’s Jewish Museum of Florida Strong Fall Lineup

By: Brandon Rosado // Contributing Writer

FIU’s Jewish Museum of Florida is hosting a set of exhibitions starting this fall featuring Barbra Streisand’s tribute “Hello Gorgeous,” a career retrospective on the work of pop-art artist Martin Kreloff, and a compilation of menorahs from the personal collection of Rabbi Howard Berman, entitled “Festival of Lights.” 

Executive Director Susan Gladstone Pasternack is very excited to unveil these three very distinct shows to students. “We always hope FIU students consider us a place for refuge, learning and cultural enlightenment,” she states.

All three exhibitions revolve around the central theme of celebrating Jewish creativity and art across time, which is inspiring to the Jewish community at large, and can serve to help relate a sense of culture between generational and ideological gaps.

“These exhibitions are not only pleasing to the eye, they use artifacts, memorabilia, photos, objects and text to tell three very distinct stories,” says Pasternack. “Through the lens of Jewish history and culture, we are sharing narratives that are relatable to all.”

Located at 301 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach, the Jewish Museum of Florida is taking visits by appointment only. Visit the museum’s website to reserve an appointment for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, the museum’s days of operation. The first exhibit debuts Oct. 14, 2021.

“Hello Gorgeous”

On View from Oct. 14, 2021 to Feb. 20, 2022

The museum’s premiere exhibition for fall, “Hello Gorgeous,” celebrates the life and career of Jewish singer, actress, filmmaker, and all-around icon Barbra Streisand through a collection of costumes, photos, videos, record album covers, and other objects. 

“’Hello Gorgeous’ is a window into the woman behind the star,” a star that inspired and paved the way for millions of Jews, states Museum Curator Jacqueline Goldstein.

This marks the first time this exhibit debuts in the United States (outside of New York City), and FIU’s Jewish Museum of Florida is the exclusive southeast presenter of the collection.  

It will feature Streisand’s Erasmus Hall High School yearbook from 1959, the original classic beaded gown she wore in “Funny Girl” when she sang “People,” and the portrait used for her 1964 Time magazine cover, which is on loan from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. 

“Martin Kreloff: A Retrospective“

On view from Nov. 11, 2021 to March 2022 

Artist Martin Kreloff is a legend in the early Miami Art Scene, and his signature colorful, hard-edge style has earned him spots in art collections around the world, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art. This colorful exhibition will feature his earlier “Pop Art-influenced” pieces that made him famous. 

Kreloff’s first breakthrough came in 1976 with his show “Miami Says Art,” which featured paintings of dozens of Miami artists of the mid-70s vocalizing the word “art.” The show is widely credited for helping put the Miami art scene on the map.

Now living and working out of Las Vegas, Nevada, Kreloff’s career highlights include his high-profile commissions for companies like Warner Bros. and Bloomingdales, his Hollywood stars series, and his early, colorful portraiture.

“Festival of Lights”

On view from Nov. 28, 2021 to February 2022

“Festival of Lights” is a compilation of menorahs from the collection of Rabbi Howard Berman that span from the First Century BCE to the present day. 

The menorahs, also known as hanukkiahs, come in a range of different styles and materials, reflecting the different parts of the world from which Rabbi Berman sourced them. 

With its eight candles plus one used to light them, the menorah symbolizes the Maccabean revolt around 165 BCE and is a cornerstone of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights.