Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/911869
» g i f t g u i d e 2 0 1 7 / o n t h e c o v e r S ocial media helped Julie Wohl build an inter- connected and multi-faceted career. A painter of many subjects, she has estab- lished web-based marketing platforms for her works completed or planned on commission. As an educa- tor, she found her new job at Congregation Shaarey Zedek through Facebook. And there's much more. Wohl, who grew up in Michigan and recently returned after studies and professional commit- ments outside the state, brings a focus on Judaism throughout her working life. Most recently, she immersed herself in Chanukah artistry on her own and Chanukah programming as director of Youth and Family Learning at the synagogue. "I get inspiration from Jewish tradition and the natural world," says Wohl, 37. "I create very bright and vibrant works of art that are about shapes, color and space. The themes are connected to Judaism and Jewish traditions, home and family and images from nature." Her menorah images, painted in a home stu- dio, are whimsical and colorful, and they become more joyful when joined with dreidels and hearts. They can be seen and purchased in differ- ent formats, including fine-art prints and greet- ing cards on her website, juliewohl.com, plus her Facebook and Etsy pages. Workshops also have entered into her career. "I created a business called Jewish Learning Thru Art," she explains. "I would run communal artmak- ing workshops in synagogues around the country. Sometimes, my workshops led into conversations about art, and sometimes, my art led to the creation of workshops. Teaching art has helped me sell art, and art has helped me find more places to do work- shops." Books are important, too. "I've written and illustrated a Shabbat family siddur, which is used around the country and pro- moted me as an educator and artist," she says. "I also illustrated a family Haggadah." Raised in Reform traditions and moving into a Conservative lifestyle, Wohl has collaborated with Rabbi Lauren Kurland for A Family Shabbat Prayer Book in Reform and Conservative editions. Simply Seder: A Passover Haggadah was edited by Dena Neusner. The teacher-artist also illustrated Families Like You and Me by Rabbi Jason Bonder to delve into ideas of caring for each other and our environment. Growing up in West Bloomfield, Wohl says she SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Artist and educator Julie Wohl expresses her passion in vibrant works of art. LEFT: Zachor (In Memoriam). RIGHT: Chanukah Tree. LOWER RIGHT: Inspiration and Tradition. Dove 38 November 30 • 2017 jn