The art auction fundraiser held by Temple Emanuel in Franklin Lakes did not come close to rivaling the over hundred million netted last Tuesday at Sotheby’s, but it was a fun night out with a diverse selection of art work available at more pragmatic prices. The auction, held under the auspices of AJRoss Auctions which specializes in fundraising events, saw a collection of paintings, photographs, and sculpture. A limited number of collectible items were also on the auction block, including an electric guitar signed by Eric Clapton.
Ken Stern welcomes members
The items being auctioned off during the Temple Emanuel auction had many pieces starting off in the twenty-five to thirty-five dollar range with others beginning in the hundreds or thousands. It offered an opportunity for everyone to participate according to their own means and tastes. AJRoss Auctions also offers a unique opportunity to winning bidders of art by allowing work to be exchanged years later. Ken Stern, a member of Temple Emanuel who helped coordinate the event, was exchanging a painting he bought seven years ago. Gaining a credit, he was able to find a new piece of art for his home.
Signed by Eric Clapton
The auctioneer learned early on he had an experienced audience of almost one hundred people when he asked how many had attended auctions in the past; the vast majority of hands went up. For those newbies in attendance, there was a mix of humor and education as the auction began. Oil paintings and watercolors might be easily defined, but terms such as lithograph, giclee, and serigraph might be less familiar. The evening provided an education in this respect, as well as a brief overview of the artists. The traditional blur of words which roll off the tongue of professional auctioneers was even slowed down in the beginning till folks got into the swing.
The auction was scheduled to begin at 8pm, but as participants continued to show, the starting point was put off an extra half hour. The crowd did not seem to mind the delay taking the opportunity to preview the collection of art and socialize. The event did not have the stiff feeling associated with many art auctions, but instead offered a familial, social ambiance as teenagers from the faith community assisted during the auction; and parents with young children perused the collection to be auctioned. Volunteers also provided an array of refreshments for noshing during the extended social hour.
Rabbi Finkelstein center
Temple Emanuel opened its doors in Franklin Lakes after a long history in Paterson which began at the turn of the century. As Paterson’s manufacturing base began to shift, so did the population which began a merger with the Oakland Jewish Community Center in the late 1980s.
The past-president of Temple Emanuel, Dr. Larry Berman, is the son of Gerrard Berman who’s name is memorialized in The Gerrard Berman Day School located in Oakland. The community is still settling into their new home and planning those extra activities that make a house a home. November 22nd offers an evening pizza party for middle school students, and there is also a once a month movie night. They soon hope to formalize their 3 youth groups, for specific age groups, that will offer activities and afterschool programs.
Readers can learn about Temple Emanuel by visiting their website http://www.tenjfl.org.