Exhibit Opening: “Oy, Joy! Can We Talk About (Jewish) Joy?”
Thursday, October 15, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Please join us on Thursday, October 15 at 4:30 p.m. for the opening of a new exhibition at Fordham’s Walsh Family Library, “Oy, Joy! Can We Talk About (Jewish) Joy?” This exhibit explores themes of joy through the work of contemporary artists and historical artifacts from Fordham’s Special Collections. We bring together in conversation works of artists Maira Kalman, Deborah Kass, Simone Levy Greenwood, Holly Markhoff, ES23, and Nina Talbot.
In a world filled with pain and suffering, tormented by wars, climate crisis, pandemics, and disruption, is it possible to talk about joy? Is it even appropriate? Yet, in the most difficult times, there is also a deep need for joy. As Maya Angelou once said, “We need joy as we need air.”
Speaking of joy does not mean disregarding sadness and pain. In fact, joy and pain often go together. In Jewish tradition, joy is very frequently tied to mourning and suffering. There is often an “Oy, vey” aspect in an experience of joy. Sometimes someone’s joy clashes with someone else’s suffering and pain. Sometimes joy is an act of resistance. Sometimes joy is a manifestation of resilience and recovery.
The featured speaker will be Erez DeGolan, PhD, who will give a talk “Joy Vey: Can We Talk about Ancient Jewish Joy?”exploring the topic of joy in Jewish tradition. Drawing on ancient rabbinic thought, this opening talk explores the heights and dangers of Jewish joy—and asks how joy and sorrow can coexist in a single shared experience.
Erez DeGolan is an assistant professor of classical rabbinic Judaism in Fordham’s theology department. His research and teaching combine textual, historical, and critical methods to examine the lived experience of rabbis in late antiquity.
The opening will be hosted by Amy Levine-Kennedy and Magda Teter.
The exhibit was curated by Erez DeGolan, Amy Levine-Kennedy, and Magda Teter. It is made possible by the Hadassah Ruth Weiner Fund for Jewish Art at Fordham, the Henry S. Miller Judaica Research Collection Endowment.
“Oy, Joy!” will be on view at the Walsh Family Library on the 4th floor in the Henry S. Miller Judaica Research Room and in the Special Collections and Archives from October 15, 2026, through February 2027.
