The Color of Miracles

“That’s not me,” says Ahuva Manes, laughing. “I grew up in Har Nof, a typical Bais Yaakov girl.”

What, then, is the fuel that ignites the explosion of color and energy in this 27-year-old artist’s paintings — an already impressive body of work that has landed her display space at one of Jerusalem’s most prestigious art galleries?

In a word: miracles. Kri’as Yam Suf. Davening at the Kosel. Being a Jew. While many of us take the miracle of Jewish existence for granted, Ahuva has the gift of continually seeing it with fresh eyes — and the desire to share her vision and excitement with others through her art.

“It’s sort of a shame that we learn about the miracles that happened to Am Yisrael when we’re in kindergarten,” Ahuva explains. “We learn that at Kri’as Yam Suf the water split into two. Okay, we later think, why shouldn’t it split into two? We get used to the miracles. It’s no longer a ‘Wow!’ It’s just a fact. I’m trying to put back in the ‘Wow!’ ”