BOSTON, Mass.—The art of Judaica artist Frann Addison of Boston, Massachusetts is among the work featured in an art exhibition entitled “Tzedek Boxes: Justice Shall You Pursue,” which will be on display at the Dr. Bernard Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College in New York Jan. 26 through May 15. Two of Addison’s creations, “TIME to Give” and “Repair the World” will be part of the exhibit.

The Tzedek Boxes exhibit will open with a reception to be held on Thursday, Jan. 26, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., with a program at 5:15 p.m., at the Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, located at One West Fourth Street in New York City.  

The Tzedek Box, which imagines a new Jewish ritual object for use in a new ritual, is the inspiration for 30 highly original works by contemporary artists on display. The work is based on the word Tzedek, which means justice. Working toward justice is a response to Judaism’s call: “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” (Deuteronomy 16:20) 

The Heller Museum’s call to imagine a Tzedek Box has produced ingenious versions from contemporary artists from across America and around the world. Objects range from clocks to globes, from a jar that produces sparks of light with each submission to an interactive scroll. One work is a sleek brass shaft that opens to form the scales of justice; another is a silk hanging with a background of the forest. 

Each work has a slot for inserting a written note on each effort made to help the world, whether through volunteering, philanthropy, advocacy, education, or other just acts.  Each box opens so that notes can be retrieved one month after Passover on Yom HaTzedek, which is celebrated on Pesach Sheini, a Biblical holiday allowing for second chances. The goal on that day is to review the past year’s actions and dedicate oneself to do even more in the coming year. 

For more information on the Hebrew Union College Tzedek Box project, see “Longmeadow artist creates ‘Tzedek Box’ for exhibit at Hebrew Union College” (Jewish Ledger, Dec. 27, 2022)