CLEVELAND — While millions of Americans are stocking up on Matzah, wine and other kosher foods to kick off Passover, one family in honoring the holiday’s history through art in northeast Ohio.

Medieval and Egyptian-influenced brush strokes are the lasting legacy of late Israeli artist Shlomo Katz, whose work from the late 20th century is now making an appearance at the JFC’s Golden Age Exhibit. Katz’s daughter Gilly Rosin and granddaughter Netta Rosin are traveling from New York and Tel Aviv to see the show in-person, which explains the story of Passover.

“The people of Israel got out of Egypt and got their freedom,” Gilly Rosin said. “So, this is a very important holiday and a very important text, and it tells a lot of stories that our my father really wanted to draw and bring to life.”

Art curator Matthew Garson said the screenprints are helping showcase history ahead of the holiday. 

The Rosin family poses in front of “Jacob and the Angel” painting, which they said inspired the federation to showcase more of Katz’s limited-edition art after donating the piece several years ago. (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)

“Behind me is a Four Seasons portfolio,” he said. “There's also a Passover portfolio, which consists of 10 screen prints … So we deliberately wanted to open the show the week before Passover.”

He said the collaboration comes after a long-time effort from the family to revive Katz’s creations since his passing in 1992.

“It's just very emotional and special to be able to put the show on, the first in over 30 years and to have the family here all together [is] a very special event,” Garson said.

Now, he and the federation are helping the Rosin family and other visitors connect the past to the present this Passover.

“It's nothing like any other Passover we ever had so meaningful to us,” Gilly Rosin said. “And just amazing.”