Studio Shabbat

Led by Jojo Anavim
Held at Jojo Anavim Studio
Supporting The 8 Project

An art gallery asks us to slow down enough to notice. So does Shabbat. We gathered for a Friday night dinner in good company. We came together in a Chelsea loft gallery to welcome Shabbat in the spirit of Tu B'Av, the Jewish festival of love. Set around a long table, the evening was an invitation to meet new people, linger in conversation, and experience Jewish tradition in a space where art and community naturally belong together. The gathering was hosted by Jojo Anavim, a New York–based contemporary artist whose work is deeply informed by his Persian-Jewish heritage. Beyond the studio, Jojo is passionate about creating opportunities for people to engage more deeply with Jewish life and has become a thoughtful voice for Jewish identity. In honor of this event, a gift was made to support The 8 Project, a nonprofit founded by artist Tomer Peretz that helps Israeli soldiers and trauma survivors rebuild their lives through a therapeutic residency program centered on art, mentorship, and community. The organization believes that creative expression can play a powerful role in healing from trauma and restoring purpose.