Guestbook of international appreciation

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The quality of Roee Yosef Suffrin's work has spread beyond the frontiers of Israel. Their artistic value and the powerful message they convey to the owner or spectator have found an audience in numerous countries. This is an artist who is becoming more and more appreciated and lovers of art are aware of this. Here, some of reactions from many countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroun, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Quebec, Senegal, Venezuela, and so on.

"Bravo to the artist who uses his talent to draw us towards our inner selves: to the place where we can meet our Creator. These paintings, which I am keeping, were painted step by step, and each brushstroke imparted a new brilliance to the whole. And now we see a magnificent work!"

"A painting by Suffrin represents for me a life of keddusha (holiness). I am absorbed and overwhelmed by daily life, and his painting conveys to me calm and trust in God. It is a manifestation of keddusha, just like the morning of Rosh Hashana and Shabbat. The painting evokes in me the life that aspires to holiness and, in this context, it stands before me as a symbol of tranquility".
M.C. Israel.

"A few weeks ago, I placed on my computer desk one of Roee Suffrin's paintings, for this painting, with its shofar players, reminds me of events that are close to us: "Hear the word of Yahweh, you nations, and declare it in the islands afar off; and say, Hashem who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him, as shepherd does his flock… Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow." (Jeremiah 31, 10-14). Yes, these paintings warm my heart and give me a lot of Love for the People of Israel".
F.M. Belgique.

" I admire these paintings. I like the mixture of realism drawn from Tradition and the colors which are so well highlighted by the play of light: the intimate light of a candle or the light of the sky reflected on the talits and the Torah scrolls, and the intimate light which also emanates from the group of figures. What the painter suggests is also wonderful: the symbol of tradition in the child under the table who seems to feed on the words of the adults above him. I like the work of this painter because he expresses Jewish life in its most profound aspect."
J.C. Orleans.

"I was moved by the great contrast between light and shade in Roee Suffrin's paintings, for it give us hope to aspire to a better world where the joy of the Torah, expressed in chanting and praise to Hashem, will reign forever. But this world can only be achieved through a constant, inner struggle to perfect ourselves in the study of Torah and in the task of transmitting It to the young generation, as depicted in these paintings. The wonderful portrayal of these figures, their concentration on their prayers so well marked on their faces, made me feel that we could be led to imitate them."
F.B.C. Venezuela.

"I find these paintings very beautiful. They are, at the same time, gentle and alive, and sometimes seem to cry out a particular truth."
Y. France.

"I very much like the colors and graphic style of this painter and I feel he powerfully expresses a representative reality. There is a depth in his shapes and colors and a rendering of faces which elevate his paintings above time and above the anecdotal."
P.C. Strasbourg, France.

"I am not usually moved by paintings, in spite of having studied history of art. But I admire the photographic eye of this artist who seems able to capture, with his brush, scenes taken from real life. Chazak VeEmatz to the artist." A.S. Paris.

"These paintings are very beautiful. They represent the essence of the Jewish people, which is faith, centuries-old tradition…. and the love of this tradition which will never die. They are powerful paintings."
C.H. Sao Paolo, Brazil.

"These paintings are very beautiful and to be admired. The painter opens a door to beauty, goodness and truth."
G.P. Rome, Italy.

"These paintings are truly beautiful to look at. They are full of light and color."
C.E. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"These beautiful paintings are rich and authentic just like the Jewish religion."
J.H. Grenoble

"The paintings of Roee Suffrin are wonderful and very moving. They make the spectator feel he is in a synagogue where everyone present is praying.
I liked the paintings “Shofar,” “Sefer Torah” and “Reading the Torah.”
I like paintings which convey a feeling of joy.
For me, these works convey the emotion entailed in seeing and hearing our prayers, just like listening to the shofar….. even though I am not religious."
R.L. Rio de Janeiro.

"The paintings are very beautiful and full of meaning. Thank you."
N.A. France.

"I feel that Roee Suffrin’ paintings exert on those who look at them an inner, lasting impression and they arouse and reveal in people the challenges of light and routine. But even more so, the paintings evoke in each of us here and now, the presence of a powerful source of light which surges out more strongly than the entire frame that surrounds them and this source mobilizes the strength of the model and that of the onlooker connecting him to things which he thought were no more than just the stuff of daily life and enabling him to see what he did not see before – that he is the proprietor of a terrain of surging sources of life. The presence of this radiography of being serves as a mirror for the onlooker, spurring him to say: I feel a little bit more convinced each time of the unfailing presence in me of this light".
Rav Prof. Yehoshua Rahamim Dipour

"These paintings are very expressive and move the soul. They arouse our feelings, for they remind us of the great lives lived by our Sages in that continent of European Yiddish-land, which vanished because of the hatred of those who envied the wisdom of our Sages
It’s a great mitzva to comfort souls without reproaching them for not being like others."
G.P. Montreal, Quebec. Canada.

"This artist has found the right balance between modernity and heritage, and this is seen in his brushstrokes and colors as well as in the emotions he depicts.
J.D. Guadeloupe.

"For his draughtsmanship and depth, it is clear that this painter is a master."
P.C. Israel

"Looking at these paintings and their images, it is very difficult to explain in words the feelings they evoke – for feelings are things that are lived and are uniquely personal, like fingerprints. I can simply say that these paintings take us Retour to what is authentic. Through this, we relive the past with our masters, as though we were there. I congratulate this painter whose inspiration and creativity are worthy of encouragement."
D. I. Cameroon

"I must confess that having first “encountered” these paintings at Rosh Hashana, I had to turn away as the light of the first painting, Presence, was too strong for my eyes. I felt it was external to me and intolerable (at the time I was going through a deep, personal crisis which literally distorted my perception and I truly believe that perception is a reflection of one’s inner state at a particular time). So I did not relate well to these paintings, particularly the one entitled Shofar, for it made me literally “relive” the origin of my crisis... hearing the “cry” of the shofar a few days before Rosh Hashana opened up in me a groundswell of anguish and pain which refused to go away… except with the aid of medication….. and the repeated presence of the child in four of the paintings ( The Child and the Sages/Transmission/Studying the Torah/ Reading the Torah) renewed the deep pain of not having children.. of not having been a mother.. and of not having had the opportunity to give… you can understand why these paintings, at that time, evoked in me an intolerable feeling of absence, of darkness.. and of a light which did not touch me as I had lost my bearings and no longer knew where I belonged!

I looked at the paintings again and saw them in a different perspective. I now find them magnificent both for their symbolism (darkness/light; blue sky/grey-white clouds; child/adult, etc.) and their pictorial “material.” They remind me of the way Cezanne imparted a deep, structural form to his canvas. Here, it seems to me that Roee Suffrin is trying to reveal, through his themes and the way he depicts his figures and the surrounding ambiance, the structure of a Jewish being. He does this with great expressive force, both in his colors and draughtsmanship.
In The Child and the Sages, the child, who is positioned in the forefront and at the center of the painting, seems to carry the assembly of Sages who themselves carry the child in them, as in a womb where the child studies quietly and sings, as though bathed in the maternal light or the divine light which the Sages meditate on and internalize – a light that illuminates the child and the faces of these Sages as they engage in an infinite meditation, their faces turned towards an inner source….. as though a divine dance were about to surprise them!
And in the painting, Transmission, what power of concentration! I feel exactly what you wrote about this painting… the master and the pupil engaged in concentrated study and devout attention, and the flame that illuminates them at the center of the painting!
There is first of all the Sage ( “he who speaks at the level of the other’s ability to hear,” as my first Torah teacher, Jean Zacklad of blessed memory who studied at the sources of the Gaon of Vilna, wrote so well); then, there is the young child in whom Hashem created a Temple in his ear…listening attentively to the sacred words which emanate from the mouth and stature of the master who himself draws the light from the Book which he transmits to his pupil… Then there is the warm atmosphere which lights up the place, faces and hearts of those who contemplate this magnificent painting.
I also love the purity that emanates from the painting Shofar, which no longer symbolizes a “cry” but rather a chant….. the shofars seem to outline a dance that is directed towards heaven, towards the spots of blue sky, so pure .. in a Sky that listens to the call and chant of man and dissipates heavy clouds rendered light by the sound and chant of the shofar and its dance towards heaven! The symbolism is beautiful .. . thank you Hashem for so much beauty! Indeed, the more we look at these paintings, the more they begin to “talk” to us, about our deepest being and sense of being Jewish, to which we are sometimes blind in the haste of an unconscious gaze or one distorted by pain. I conclude by noting the need to take our time to fully appreciate the beautiful things offered to man… the beautiful things which Hashem shows us through the eyes of others, such as those of Roee Suffrin"...
N. Z. France

"Please thank the artist for the Transmission, which is the key element in what God expects of each of us. All the paintings put the person who understands them in a state of inexplicable rapture."
J.G. Senegal

"What strikes me most is the brilliance and intensity of the colors. The light illuminates the faces and, in consequence, the hearts of the figures that are present. I envy them this light!
Each painting, which can be considered to be a fragment of his total being, expresses the artist’s humility, emotion, deep love for God.
Roee Suffrin is clearly a painter of worth and of great faith!
I would tell him this: it is written in Nehemiah 2, verse 20: “The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore, we, his servants will arise and build.”
J. G. Dakar, Senegal.

"These paintings are very expressive and move the soul. They arouse our feelings, for they remind us of the great lives lived by our Sages in that continent of European Yiddish-land, which vanished because of the hatred of those who envied the wisdom of our Sages
It’s a great mitzva to comfort souls without reproaching them for not being like others."
G.P. Montreal, Quebec. Canada.

"Your paintings moved me and gave me much pleasure. In my youth, I used to see, in the homes of my grandmothers, postcards depicting these type of scenes in synagogues or in peoples'homes during festivals, in Eastern European countries – Poland, Romania, Russia…. where my family came from. Please continue to delight us with such paintings that are so pleasing to the eye, the heart and the soul."
F.E.S. France.

"This artist has found a wonderful balance between modernity and heritage, both in his brushstrokes and colors, as well as in the emotions he expresses. They are pure joy and when there is joy, we ascend several steps towards God."
D.D. Guadeloupe.

"These paintings speak and I cannot stop admiring them. I have the impression, at times, that I sense in them the presence of Hashem. What deep, sincere love emerges from these paintings – I am left searching for words."
S.B. Montreal.

"These paintings impart an element of timelessness, a feeling of going Retour into time, a resurgence of a past constantly renewable and renewed. (eternity!)
The expression of the subjects is at times serious and grave, at times free and fulfilled, at times sad and empty.
I am particularly moved by the absence of facial expression for it leaves the spectator emotionally free and enables the mystery of the Shechina to develop in the play of light and shadow, and the figures to draw close through the power of prayer: they appear separated, engrossed in their independent activities, but they are, in fact, united in a convergence of souls at prayer. Yes, it is the Shechina which appears.
The “simplified” style imparts a vague character to the paintings which can then be transposed to other scenes in our imagination.
Certain parts of the canvas are very dark and force us to make an effort to discern the details… like veiled messages which ask to be discovered and grasped."
E.E. Paris.

"These paintings impart an element of timelessness, a feeling of going Retour into time, a resurgence of a past constantly renewable and renewed. (eternity!)
The expression of the subjects is at times serious and grave, at times free and fulfilled, at times sad and empty.
I am particularly moved by the absence of facial expression for it leaves the spectator emotionally free and enables the mystery of the Shechina to develop in the play of light and shadow, and the figures to draw close through the power of prayer: they appear separated, engrossed in their independent activities, but they are, in fact, united in a convergence of souls at prayer. Yes, it is the Shechina which appears.
The “simplified” style imparts a vague character to the paintings which can then be transposed to other scenes in our imagination.
Certain parts of the canvas are very dark and force us to make an effort to discern the details… like veiled messages which ask to be discovered and grasped."
E.E. Paris.

"These paintings express first and foremost emotion. They are replete with color, they speak, and represent the beautiful, powerful moments of Jewish life. They speak of wisdom, and each one evokes something divine. What beautiful scenes this painter offers us. I am very touched by these evocations of spiritual life and study and I personally have a strong preference for the painting called “Transmission.” It evokes everything Man should do for Man in order to preserve the Tradition, and the relationship with the past which is necessary in order to progress towards the future."

These paintings depict well the AUTHORITY OF THE WORD, (the essential Light, the one true existence) that emanates from the one, permanent Creator of us all. This word (which is a book that should stand closed on our bookshelves, but is the open Book of God) should be analyzed, tasted, practiced and transmitted.
This (The) Word was at the Beginning. Every thing was created by it. Within it lies the Life of Men. Of the Jew first, then of the "Greek." P.D. Belgique.

"In each of these paintings one can perceive the emotion felt by the figures in the presence of the divine and what one sees is very beautiful. The strength and light that emanate from the paintings rebound on those who look at them.

The paintings highlight the words of the text and act like an accompaniment, just like violins and piano that play together in an orchestra. Each follows his own score while interpreting the same music, and the same theme. Sometimes one hears the violin alone, sometimes the piano alone. But when they play together, the instruments complement each other and this is what makes an orchestra. The musical work is thus embellished. This is how human beings succeed in expressing, through their own tools (be it music or any other form of expression) what they feel. In the context of Roee Suffrin’s work, art and words join in concert (the play on words was unpremeditated!) to express the sense of the Divine Presence. The paintings illustrate the words of the Torah.

In my view, Roee Suffrin’s paintings reflect well the very special atmosphere of prayer in synagogue; the faces express a sense of tranquility and strength that nothing can disturb. The congregants seem imbued with an inner presence and the devotion of their reverence is palpable. The figure who carries a Torah scroll on his shoulder is totally enrapt in devotion to Hashem and this is expressed on his face. His tallit reflects the purity of his feelings.

In the painting of a group of congregants sitting by a bay window flooded with light, the artist clearly sought to depict the celestial light that emanates from the Divine Presence through his tree of life which is the Torah and which is perceived by each of the congregants as they pray. This is what I believe takes place when one prays with “kavana” (intention). Each one then receives Hashem’s “answer” and feels imbued with some of this sweet, beneficent light.

In another painting, even the child who is sitting on the floor is totally enrapt, like the adults standing behind him, in devotion to Hakadosh Barukh Hu. All these souls at prayer are turned towards Hashem and one can almost hear the vibrant sound of the shofar (which is made by man, but has its source elsewhere) and the words of the Torah (which are uttered by man, but which also have their source elsewhere, since they are the words of the Torah) over the green, undulating landscape of Israel of yesterday, and also of today. The artist ably expresses the power of prayer and of the Torah, which enlighten so well those who live by it.

Furthermore, each one of us can project ourselves onto these paintings, for they are “current” like the Torah, and like Eretz Yisrael which is both ancient and modern, and like its people who are simultaneously turned towards the past (in order to draw strength from their roots and follow the example of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs) and to the future (which, despite appearances, is full of hope as is written in the holy text). These paintings express the fusion of a rich past and an intense present which is often painful but filled with the renewed hope of the words of the Torah.
The context is also equally important. I would probably be less moved by paintings by the same painter on other subjects. Of course, each person has his own interpretation of a work and reacts differently according to his sensitivity, personality and taste. This is my way of seeing things. Other people who are more competent in matters of art or Judaism, or both together (I am not a specialist in either field) would, clearly, have different views. As you state in your commentaries, the Torah cannot be understood solely by the intellect but must also be felt by the heart (the same goes, on another level, for painting, sculpture, music, etc.).
With regard to my last poem, the paintings of Roee Suffrin served as inspiration. My knowledge of Judaism is still limited and I am always afraid of writing “stupidities” (do we not say “shtouillot” in Hebrew?) when a poem comes to mind, but I need to express myself, so I follow my heart. The little knowledge I have, I found on the Modia site as well as on a few other sites. I know that my knowledge is still very limited and there is quite a bit of confusion in my mind, but now, thanks to you, I have found a good guide (who will help me learn and particularly sort out my thoughts), for it is difficult to do this alone, even with the best aids in the world. Now I will be able to learn properly, particularly the prayers and the blessings, which we are going to study together in the “Patah Eliahu” prayer book, which is entirely in Hebrew! (I have a lot of work in front of me, but when one loves….).
In brief, I do not know if I have answered your question, but I have tried to explain how I feel, which is not easy to do."
M.F. Saint Germain des Pres, France

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