Hadassah-Brandeis Institute

Through Multiple Lenses, A Passover Inspired Art Conversation: Reimagining Hidden Narratives with Photographer Hannah Altman and Storyteller Miriam Anzovin

people standing together talking in an art gallery in front of a wall of photographs of women
Three women sitting at the front of a room filled with people giving a talk.
people standing in an art gallery listening to the artist speak about her work
A woman standing in front of a wall of photographs of women speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
A woman standing in front of a wall of photographs of women speaking to people at an art gallery
A woman standing in front of a wall with a photograph of a woman speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
A woman standing in front of a wall with a photograph of a woman speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
A woman standing in front of a wall of photographs of women speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
A woman standing in front of a wall of photographs of women speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
A group of women standing together in an art gallery in front of a wall of photographs of women
Three women standing together in an art gallery in front of a wall of photographs of women
A group of people in an art gallery walking into another room
A woman standing in front of a wall of photographs of women speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
A woman standing in front of a wall of photographs of women speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
A woman standing in front of a wall of with a photograph of a woman speaking to people at an art gallery
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
People at an art gallery listening to a speaker
Photo credit, Ceci Chen
People at an art gallery listening to a speaker
Photo credit, Ceci Chen

In the spirit of Passover and the contemporary retelling of Jewish stories, HBI along with campus and community sponsors, joined photographer Hannah Altman from our current art exhibition, As It Were, Suspended in Midair, with online storytelling sensation Miriam Anzovin, currently a JArts/CJP Community Creative Fellow, in conversation to share their processes of harnessing the power of narrative using their unique voices. Anzovin used Altman's photographs as Jewish “text” to encounter and guided us on a tour of some images in HBI's current exhibit, highlighting lesser known female stories she found within. She also shared the story of Serach bat Asher, the focus of her fellowship. Altman and Anzovin both draw inspiration from Jewish folklore and mythology in their storytelling. After a program in the Kniznick Gallery, the conversation continued in a panel discussion moderated by Maia Lefferman, Brandeis ‘25. Brandeis Hillel, JFAB: Jewish Feminist Association of Brandeis, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the Jewish Arts Collaborative, and the Vilna Shul cosponsored the event. 

Here are a few reflections from those who attended. 

Maia Lefferman, Brandeis 2025

Three women standing together in an art gallery in front of a wall of photographs of womenAfter attending the HBI talk with Miriam Anzovin and Hannah Altman, I feel better equipped to interact with the work in the gallery and draw religious connections to the iconography in each photograph. To start with time in the gallery allowed for a more productive and meaningful flow of conversation, and I watched guests converse with each other and the art more thoughtfully. Throughout the talk portion of the evening, visitors were actively engaged, replying verbally to the speakers and asking important questions. It was an honor to moderate dialogue between two deeply knowledgeable and creative individuals. One moment that stood out to me was hearing Miriam’s interpretations of Hannah’s work. I spent that time watching Hannah react to Miriam and witnessed her shock and satisfaction as people recognized hidden themes and responded to the works individually. When we look at art, we are meant to place it in the context of what we know, offering unique interpretations. Miriam’s approach is not one I had really thought about and it was really meaningful to hear her interpret the photographs from a uniquely Jewish, Talmudic, feminist perspective. 

Jordan Berg Powers, Heller School Ph.D. Student,  Institute for Economic & Racial Equity

It was a great honor to be at the event for Hannah Altman's art exhibit with commentary by Daf Reactions star Miriam Anzovin. Bringing together the emotive and thought-provoking work of Altman with the brilliance of Anzovin's insightful and often funny commentary created an incredible event. Through the evening, I had a full range of emotions ending in a deep joy. Connecting the artwork to Passover set me up for a deeper seder this year that I look to carry into the holiday.

Neima Fax, Brandeis 2025

The evening with Miriam Anzovin and Hannah Altman was delightful. The combination of visual and oral storytelling about Jewish womanhood offered for me a fresh perspective going into this Passover. I am inspired by the multitude of ways to find myself and my own stories in Hannah Altman’s photos. I am also empowered by the relationality and comedy in Miriam Anzovin’s storytelling. The combination of the two of them created space for individualism in artistic expression in the context of a communal experience as Jewish women. I am encouraged to tell the Passover story more creatively this year!