( Sorry for delays in updating this site due to a personal crisis this autumn.
Last update, Jan. 6, 2012.
I hope all of you are having a good New Year, already! I hope to resume adding to this web site in January & February, 2012. )
" IMAGE GALLERY / VIDEOS & AUTOBIOGRAPHY "
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1.) New Photos Being Added Below : See Photo Template # 2
( Jewish & Christian ) -- " Art Services of Grace Jordan "
NINE ( 9 ) NEW JEWISH & CHRISTIAN ART IMAGES are already available on Specialty Items for this Fall & Winter ( More being added weekly & / or as she paints new ones. )
Fine Art Prints, Holiday Cards & Blank Cards for Any Occasion, Apparel, etc. !
See Art Images & Product Details on that page & to Buy Her BOOKS there Later.
( Last Update: Fri., Jan. 6, 2012 )
Would Love to Hear from Regular & New Visitors by Email !
Apologies: Some Internet browsers may cause un-centered texts beneath slowly
loading photos. More Photos Coming this Autumn - Winter.
Phone Callers: If phone is BUSY for long periods, Grace may be on the Internet &
can't receive incoming calls or messages simultaneously. Please keep trying. Or, email to leave your phone number, time & date you'd like to call again, or to ask her to
PREFACE:
1.) AUTOBIOGRAPHY: Scroll Down to " Autobiographical Section "
CLICK ON NEW SEPTEMBER 15 - PDF LINK.
Please Delete All Former PDF Files to Read Only this Updated Version. Thank you.
2.) DONORS' MEMORIAL ( Located Below & Home Page ):
Grace is humbly inquiring if there might be possible donors / anonymous donors to kindly please assist toward purchase of a large, new world-class Lever Harp in 2011 - 2012. In return, Grace would like to offer any donor a lever harp concert free of charge once she has mastered it. Such a noble Chesed assisting Grace might be dedicated in loving memory of a loved one who has passed away whom she would like to memorialize on this site in gratitude, with mention of the donors unless they prefer anonymity. Please contact Grace for such arrangements. Many sincere thanks...
3.) MORE PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHS COMING: DECEMBER - JANUARY
IMAGE GALLERY:
© 1955; 1986; 1995 thru 2011, Grace Jordan
( Many photos may load slowly. More Coming Soon.)
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 1
Description:
1986: Wearing Holiday Ethnic Costumes during Grace's earlier University Teaching Days with her Oriental Student at Chalkboard
1998-99: Grace at her Art Guild's Art Exhibit
1955: Baby Picture, Center
2004: Grace, Sarasota, FL
© 1955; 1986; 1998-99, 2004, Grace Jordan
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 2
Description: ( Still under Construction. Sorry for this delay - My photographer has been out-of-state till now. Photos coming soon as possible. Thanks. )
2011:
( More Photos Coming in October - November )
© 2011, Grace Jordan
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 3
Description:
2011: Grace's Costume is her Original Design and is Hand Sewn in Aqua and Metallic Gold Brocade with Assorted Veils, Head Wraps and Hats to Wear during various Lecture-Performances pertaining to Ancient Israel, i.e., "Psalms Extravaganza!"
The Gown's Side Seams have a ' Butterfly- Wing ' Effect which Open and Fold as she Moves, which Reveals the Reverse Side of the this Fabric - a Lighter Shimmering, Complimentary Aqua and Metallic Gold Brocade in contrast to the slightly bolder tones throughout. She has also Created Jewelry for this Ensemble. (Apparel: © 2011 Grace Jordan)
( NOTE: The color of the gown in these photos below seems a light blue, while the gold seems silverish. However, in actuality, this gown is a rich aqua color with light metallic gold brocade. )
Grace has Recently Embellished the Front and Lowered the Neckline of this Gown which is meant to be Worn without the beige camisole that was only Added for Technical Online Photographic Purposes to Yield Contrast.
She has also Designed and Created a Matching Hat with Attachable Sheer Golden Short Trains in Organza / Satin / Lame'. ( * New images of the Trains will come soon.) As for the Color of the Veil, it is Not as Vivid as illustrated below.
Please check back from time to time to view new images, including her newest head gear or her new art... Or, to see her in this entire costume with her long black hair, or in her typical semi-formal attire for other Lecture-Performances.
Matching Hat
Apparel: © 2011 Grace Jordan
Apparel: © 2011 Grace Jordan
Gown is Worn Without the Camisole
Apparel: © 2011 Grace Jordan
Hat also has Attachable Sheer Short Trains Veil with Gold Tassels on Hem
Apparel: © 2011 Grace Jordan
Hem of Veil has Gold Tassels
Apparel: © 2011 Grace Jordan
Apparel: © 2011 Grace Jordan
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 4
Description:
2008: Davidic Harp / Kinnor, & Flute
2008 / 2009: Oud , Guitar
2010: Violin, Flute
2011: Bowed Psaltery with Two Bows
Photo: Courtesy of Jubilee Harps, Inc
.
Oud
© 2011, Grace Jordan
Oud
© 2011, Grace Jordan
Violin
© 2011, Grace Jordan
Bowed Psaltery with Two Bows
© 2011, Grace Jordan
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 5
Description:
__________________________________________
RESERVED LOCATION for IMAGES
of
FUTURE INSTRUMENT(S)
____________________________________________
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 6
Description:
The following Art Images in both Templates # 2 and # 3 should be viewed in conjunction with her Biography: " JEWISH IDENTITY of THE ' MODERN-DAY CRYPTO JEWS ' ! " Also see " Other Services / Credentials to learn about her art: " The Jordan Collection, Biblical Art Motifs (Jewish & Christian) "
Grace Jordan's Photo was taken in the late mid -1990's at an Art Exhibit. Most of her Jewish and Christian art in these templates were created by her in the 1990's and early 2000's. A couple pieces below were not completed yet when these images were photographed.
( Watermark / Stamp on the art causes it to appear obscured. Apologies. )
These are a few samples of a larger body of work.
Art Images: © 1995 - 2011, Grace Jordan
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 7
Description:
The following Art Images in both Templates # 2 and # 3 should be viewed in conjunction with her Biography: " JEWISH IDENTITY of THE ' MODERN-DAY CRYPTO JEWS ' ! " Also see " Other Services / Credentials to learn about her art commissions: " The Jordan Collection, Biblical Art Motifs (Jewish & Christian) "
Grace Jordan's Photo was taken in the late mid -1990's at an Art Exhibit. Most of her Jewish and Christian art in these templates were created by her in the 1990's and early 2000's. A couple pieces below were not completed yet when these images were photographed.
( Watermark / Stamp on the art causes it to appear obscured. Apologies. )
These are a few samples of a larger body of work.
Art Images: © 1995 - 2011, Grace Jordan
PHOTO TEMPLATE # 8
Description:
The following Art Images in both Templates # 2 and # 3 should be viewed in conjunction with her Biography: " JEWISH IDENTITY of THE ' MODERN-DAY CRYPTO JEWS ' ! " Also see " Other Services / Credentials to learn about her art commissions: " The Jordan Collection, Biblical Art Motifs (Jewish & Christian) "
Grace Jordan's Photo was taken in the late mid -1990's at an Art Exhibit. Most of her Jewish and Christian art in these templates were created by her in the 1990's and early 2000's. A couple pieces below were not completed yet when these images were photographed.
( Watermark / Stamp on the art causes it to appear obscured. Apologies. )
These are a few samples of a larger body of work.
(* Be sure to read her Artist's Discussions below this Particular Template. Thank you.)
Art Images: © 1995 - 2011, Grace Jordan
TO BUY GRACE'S JEWISH & CHRISTIAN ART ITEMS & HOLIDAY CARDS, NOTE CARDS, POST CARDS, PRINTS, POSTERS, APPAREL, ETC., Thank You.
*ARTIST'S DISCUSSION ( PART 1, Sacred Art History / Sacred Art Appreciation ):
This is NOT an evangelistic site. * Again, you do NOT have to agree with or belong to a certain faith, religion or slant to appreciate Art or Art History! If that were true, Grace would have to agree with or live by all of them, and she does not! Can people of diverse faiths or of none at all ever really separate their emotions from historical atrocities and biases associated with one denomination or another, V.S. their art forms for art's sake? Perhaps not, at least not for everyone... Her art triggers such discussions at times, and some are heated, she might add.
Allow her to address some misconceptions below regarding sacred art and sacred art history pertaining to various traditions. One issue concerns the ancient use of nimbisses / halos. Others include:
(*** This paragraph will be completed later in 2011)
ARTIST'S DISCUSSION (Part 2, Specifics, Intent, Styles, & Passions...):
Grace creates diverse period art from ancient to modern art, in addition to abstracts in mixed media, and acrylics, and other art forms, i.e., formed sculpted pieces, etc. Some of her pieces are on canvass, wood, tiles, to name some. And some are very large!
As with playing the kinnor by inspiration, so, too, does she create most of her artwork that way. Thus she says she is not a 'natural artist,' per se. She even jokes about her terrible hen scratches when not under the anointing to create art, and admits she simply has terrible penmanship altogether, for that matter.
Personal Religious & Cultural Note:
Before visitors to this site try to make judgments about her passion for diverse, sacred Western art, one does NOT have to necessarily agree with or share any religious views, denominational practices, or theological slants in order to adore various sacred art forms that have sprung from certain faiths and eras. Ask any art historian or museum curator about their own religious affiliations, and one might be surprised about what kind of art they are passionate about, or even possess! AGAIN: THIS IS NOT AN EVANGELISTIC SITE.
Rather, such art is there for everyone to learn from, religious or not, Jew or Gentile. * Art, especially sacred Western art, must, consequently, be evaluated in tandem with discussing and regarding any number of historical atrocities, such as the vehicles of anti-Semitism, the confiscation and desecration of sacred Torah scrolls and book burnings, and the negative portrayals of Jews via the period art sponsored by Roman Catholic Church, for example. Likewise, the trail and recovery of Nazi confiscated sacred and secular art are also enigmas which makes invaluable studies for our time. There was actually a major organized effort of Military assigned to the recovery of art stolen by the Nazi's concerning WWII that makes for excellent reading and viewing.
Poignant Holocaust art is another genre, as painful as it is which should not be overlooked. She attempts creating some from time to time. "We must never forget."
Therefore, such deeper probing into the historicity and assumed intent of a piece, while recognizing the personal talents and limitations of artists during their own time periods are critical, and especially, ascertaining knowledge about the artists' own religious affiliations or rebellions against it.
Concerning some pieces, there is no rhyme or reason as to why one might be drawn to a certain piece of art. Allow it to happen in most cases. Discern why and how...
Her interest in the Arts & Humanities, i.e., especially, historical art of the Western World is partially demonstrated by having been formally trained in Byzantine Iconography, replete with the application of 23 K gold leaf, by Masters of Art, which illustrates her passion for history and art in general. Thus Russian icons as well as the art of Illuminated manuscripts, i.e., the Book of Kells or Jewish manuscript art are interesting for her to attempt.
But she adores Medieval and Renaissance art probably most of all, and is passionate about the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, where she had lived formerly. But nothing can compare to the art and antiquities of Italy where she had also lived, not even to that of other countries where she had as well.
Though she openly admits that her talent is not remarkable whatsoever, she enjoys the world of art even more than creating some for her own pleasure. Some of her varied period pieces have been on exhibit or hang in private or public collections. She typically would take occasional commissions, rather than produce a body of art to sell outright. Although she has not been doing art in recent years, she will resume soon.
Grace particularly enjoyed being a Program Chair for an art guild, whose art theme that year was "1998-1999, Exploration and Expansion," through which she was responsible for selecting, interviewing and formally inviting and scheduling noted professional artists and professors to provide lectures, demos, and workshops to name only a few responsibilities here.
While she had always had a desire to do art, it all finally began when she was 40, and if you know Grace, the peculiar is always happening to her like that...
For example, from 2008 onward, she has been learning the flute and other instruments on this site, except for the Davidic Harp / Kinnor / Lyre that she plays by inspiration and has never ' learned ' to play it at all. When visitors to this site inquire where they might find written music or the fingering for her copyrighted tunes on her Home Page Playlist, she tells them that there are none because she plays inspirationally and how she cannot even reproduce them identically, herself. The complexity of her compositions still amazes her, as does this entire Harp Services of Grace Jordan phenomena which came about she was already 53. (She is 56 now.) Thus she hopes other older people will pursue their own dreams by her example.
Perhaps you might have met her at museums and libraries in the US or in different countries, which remain her two lifelong passions!
VIDEOS:
(Coming Later)
© 1955; 1986; 1995 thru 2011, Grace Jordan
Artworks: © 1995 - 2011, Grace Jordan, " The Jordan Collection, Biblical Art Motifs (Jewish & Christian ) "
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AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SECTION
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DEDICATION of AUTOBIOGRAPHY:
In loving memory of Zusel Rubin Pordominsky, a wonderful friend who is surely looking down from 'up there' and is, hopefully, putting in a good word for me.... ( Zusel, you are in for one heck of a surprise below! But then, again, you probably already knew it before I did from 'up there'. )
" Jewish Identity of the ' Modern-Day Crypto Jews' ! "
An Autobiographical Sketch in Part
By
Grace Israel Jordan
( Copyright: August - September 2011 )
PLEASE CLICK this LINK Below to READ IT:
MUCH MORE BELOW TOO:
( * Now, you can Scroll Below to READING LIST Links: "Related Jewish-Sicilian-Italian Resources." )
UPDATE NOTES:
SEE LINK BELOW: In light of writing her unorthodox Autobiography, Grace has set up a link to this site's email address to help other ' Modern-day Crypto Jews ' on their journey by offering part of this page below for her to post the personal testimonies of others who have been going through similar Supernatural, blessed things...
As she receives such email responses via this link, she will reserve the right to review them prior to posting them on this page. Thus it will be up to her sole discretion which get posted, as not all responses might be suitable or conducive for such purposes. ( If submitters do not want their names or email addresses posted, stress that in CAPS. )
What will be welcomed? Personal testimonies will be welcomed with positive aspects and struggles from ' Modern-day Crypto Jews ' and / or Inter-faith people who share both their former faiths with their Jewishness, as well as ' Would-be' Jews of any nationality or religion, and anyone else, such as secular people who feel the Rouach HaKadesh (The Holy Spirit) is leading them on such a journey, reuniting them with their long lost (or formerly unknown) Jewishness, who may be baffled and just need to pose questions in their quest, or suggestions.
Because this faith-walk is a PROCESS, Grace would like to hear about and post the realities of others' processes on their journeys to help out. There does not seem to be an Internet Blog devoted to the perplexing, painful, yet uplifting process en route to the Jewish end which acknowledges and supports such things. Something has to be done.
Other topics to submit might include what people are confused about retaining or forfeiting from their current faiths, or what they may not be willing to or why. And, whether or not it is even necessary to forfeit some aspects at all. Other questions posed might concern the very definition of who or what a Jew is, and whether or not it is time to re-define these, in addition to discussing the rigid protocols if one were to formally convert and the barriers and realities. " Is that the only way," people have asked?
But what about that undeniable sense of KNOWING in their spirit, with or without a litany of ancestral Jewish kin as proof ? These are just a few interesting topics to include in their testimonies.
Again, this will be a page that will embrace the problems encountered on their journey to help them get through it, addressing concerns and delights, while welcoming those who have found an end as well. Some are ' Closet-Jews ', the ' Modern-day Crypto Jews' afraid of coming out, while others are silent ' Would-be' Jews who are also afraid or are trying as best they can on their own... Some are just, yet plain confused, period. All face rejection from either side of the proverbial ' religious ' fence. Who can blame them for being frightened? * Many Jews, and especially Israeli's, often warmly embrace them. This is always refreshing, as great strides have been made for the acceptance of such Jews with formal certification, i.e., the Anouism. ( The Neofiti in Sicilian-Italian.) This is what it is all about, making progress.
But at the same time, most Jews right here in USA who are not that familiar with this present-day phenomena yet, do not know what to make of it at all, while others are pretty rigid based on the standard formal protocol of what they have been taught over the decades within their own synagogues. They are usually those who have not confronted it for themselves, or who have not made such acquaintances to even contemplate it in their own souls. For the most part, they remain the ones who might never go against rabbinical protocol to seek what G-d might want beyond that. Ironically, people are told to question and seek the Lord about all else in life; therefore, we must do so even more about these issues of critical importance because G-d has been orchestrating these things, and people are beginning to take notice and make allowances toward re-thinking, and hopefully, re-defining what a Jew is.
Consequently, it seems the ' Modern-day Crypto Jews ' are, indeed, unfortunately, the current ' Wandering Jews' in many ways - some finding a modicum of acceptance, but typically having to brace themselves for none... How sad.
Therefore the link and the rest of this page are available to anyone having such a Supernatural pull toward Jewishness or Judaism because they know they are Jews inside, and because it is a G-d-thing, not a human-thing, and it is time to take notice how all over the world hundreds of thousands, more likely, millions of people have been experiencing the same phenomena and are 'coming home.' They can't all be kooks !
Some have had no sense of Messiah before, some had a Messiah, some will keep the one they have, and others will encounter one in the future. Some may have never accepted G-d, but are about to, while others are Born-Again or not. In fact, they come from every denomination, and / or none at all, and some even come from altogether different religions.
Some have known about Jews in their family lines, while others are just now starting to conduct research based on an inkling or that leading. Sadly, many may never be able to ascertain that information. For multitudes, they have sincerely taken on godly Jewish practices and are living out religious mandates on their own. Some have for years and years; conversely, some Jews born into traditional Jewish households are completely secular. Are the former any more or less Jews?
What has been your journey? G-d has been surely up to something, if only a few million of us listen as he returns us to the fold to preserve the Jewish Remnant in these days of a quickly dwindling world Jewish population. The need is now... If we do not stand up and count ourselves as Jews, who will?
Grace Jordan Reserves the Right to Review all Submissions prior to Selecting those suitable to Publicize on this Web Site.
* RELATED JEWISH - SICILIAN - ITALIAN RESOURCES:
(Grace's Recommended READING LIST of Texts & Web Sites Articles have been added below from July 12, 2011, onward. )
A.) TEXTS on JEWISH - SICILIAN RESEARCH:
"The Jews in Sicily, Vols 1-18. " Shlomo Simonsohn:
B.) WEB SITES & ONLINE ARTICLES on JEWISH - SICILIAN - ITALIAN RESEARCH:
( More coming later )
DONORS' MEMORIAL
( To be Added Here & On Home Page with Permission from Donors Should Lever Harp Donations Arrive. )
Last Update, Fri., January 6, 2012. Thank you.
SHALOM !
&
MANY WARM THANKS !
" PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM ! "
( " Sha - a - lu Shalom, Yerushalayim," Psalm 122: 6 )
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FINAL NOTES to VISITORS:
Just so you know, 'Grace Jordan' is a common name on the Internet. Thus Grace Jordan of " Harp Services of Grace Jordan " is NOT affiliated with any other Grace Jordans. Not their Businesses, Web Sites, or Personal Information. This site is Grace's ONLY web site. Ask her if ever in doubt of erroneous overlapping Internet data of theirs with hers. Thank you.
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The following links should be ignored by visitors because they are simply internal /external domain links for technical purposes, only.
