Chani Cohen ZadaHoshana, 2022

Chani Cohen Zada, Hoshana

oil on canvas
150 × 210 cm (59 × 83 in)

About the Artwork

Hoshana captures a moving scene from the festival of Sukkot during the Covid-19 pandemic. Wrapped in their prayer shawls and holding the Four Species, worshippers gather outdoors to recite the Hoshanot prayers. Though circumstances required distance and adaptation, the ancient ritual continued with unwavering devotion. Through this peaceful landscape, Chani Cohen Zada celebrates the resilience of Jewish faith and the enduring power of communal prayer, even in times of uncertainty.

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The Hoshanot prayers, recited during Sukkot while carrying the lulav and etrog, express humanity's dependence upon Hashem for rain, blessing, and redemption. They are prayers of hope, acknowledging both the beauty and the fragility of life. During the Covid-19 pandemic, these themes acquired new depth as communities around the world sought ways to preserve both health and religious practice.

Cohen Zada records one such gathering. Rather than standing inside a synagogue, the worshippers assemble outdoors beneath open skies, surrounded by trees and sunlight. The natural setting is especially appropriate for Sukkot, the festival that celebrates both Divine protection and humanity's relationship with the natural world.

The figures, draped in their tallitot and holding the Four Species, are united in purpose while respectfully maintaining distance from one another. The painting quietly documents a unique moment in recent Jewish history, when familiar rituals were adapted without sacrificing their spiritual essence. Faith found new expression while remaining firmly rooted in tradition.

The landscape itself contributes to the work's message. Sunlight filtering through the trees and the expansive open space create an atmosphere of serenity rather than anxiety. Nature becomes both a sanctuary and a witness, reminding viewers that the rhythms of creation continue even during times of global uncertainty.

Hoshana ultimately speaks of perseverance. It honors a community that continued to pray, to hope, and to gather responsibly despite unprecedented challenges. The painting becomes both a historical record and a timeless affirmation that Jewish life, sustained by faith and tradition, continues to flourish under every circumstance.

 73,500

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