EXHIBIT+SPEAKER | HYPHEN: Graphic Novels of Jewish Diversity

Explore Jewish diversity through HYPHEN: Jewish Stories in Our Own Words, a graphic novel exhibit featuring stories of identity, immigration and belonging. Join co-creator Julian Voloj on Nov. 1 for a special reception and conversation.

The vibrant new graphic novel anthology + exhibit, HYPHEN: JEWISH STORIES IN OUR OWN WORDS, celebrates ethnic and racial diversity within the Jewish community through the art of graphic novels, with deeply personal stories from Laos, Japan, Uganda and around the world about immigration, trailblazing, traumas and culturally different Jewish experiences. Each story is told in their own words and uniquely illustrated by a roster of acclaimed international artists. From ancient traditions to modern journeys, these voices reflect the true diversity of the Jewish experience today.

The stories in HYPHEN are about immigration and information hidden from children, stories of trauma, the experience of being a refugee. In matching storytellers and artists, the editors tried to find Jewish artists, initially, but that wasn’t always possible, especially given tight deadlines. However, fortuitous links happened. For example, the editors knew of an Italian-African artist who wanted to work with a black storyteller, so paired them with Shoshanna, the trailblazing first female rabbi of Uganda’s Abayudaya community.

ABOUT: Speaker/Graphic Novelist/Curator Julian Voloj
Born in Germany to Colombian parents, Voloj is the executive director of Be’chol Lashon, an organization dedicated to celebrating ethnic and racial diversity within the Jewish community. Voloj is the author of several graphic novels. He and co-editor Sapolsky, a French-American artist and writer with both Ashkenazi and Sephardic roots and the co-creator of “Spider-Man Noir,” have chosen comics as their medium because it is limitless and cinematic.

Schedule:
1 pm – 2 pm: Exhibit viewing | Draw your own graphic novel panel activity
2 pm: Exhibit reception + conversation: Voloj will discuss the creative process making HYPHEN and his work at Be’chol Lashon. The conversation will also touch on the history of Jews in the comic book industry and graphic novels, from Siegel & Shuster’s Superman via “Mad Magazine” to Art Spiegelman’s Maus and beyond to Hyphen.

Free Registration/Drop In + Book Sales:

• Nov. 1: Registration required.
• Oct. 12-Dec. 6: Exhibit on view for drop-ins during regular SJCC business hours with onsite front-desk registration (best after preschool hours to view all five story panels).

Interactive! Everyone is invited to draw their own graphic story panel and contribute to the ‘s diverse story of our J community in the J Cafe.

Part of SJCC Blueprint for Belonging