Jewish Museum Milwaukee Presents 48 Jews: Layers of Identity

MILWAUKEE – February 25, 2026 – Jewish Museum Milwaukee will present 48 Jews: Layers of Identity, a vivid series by contemporary artist Jac Lahav, on view March 6 through Sept. 6. The series translates public images of Jewish cultural icons into painted portraits that explore the complexity and diversity of Jewish identity. The range of figures – activists, scientists, writers, musicians, athletes, political leaders, artists – challenge assumptions and pose questions about the ways identity is shaped and perceived. Together they reflect a compelling mosaic of lived experiences across time and place, inviting conversations about creativity, community, and what it means to be Jewish today.

Born in Israel, with Iranian and Polish roots, and raised in the United States, Lahav’s own history, wanting to understand what it means to be Jewish in the modern world, and a fascination with the internet, launched the 48 Jews project in 2006. Early Google and Wikipedia searches revealed that identity is formed by others’ lists. Algorithms, inclusion, omission, and simplification significantly influence the outcome. Through shifting styles, Lahav counters the fixed, flattening of layered lives in media-sourced images.

This recognition is furthered by Lahav’s approach to portraiture and representation. Embracing both likeness and abstraction, some paintings closely depict their subjects, while others employ blurred photo-realism, partial erasure, and obscuring techniques. Featured subjects combine previous work with pieces newly, and specifically created for Jewish Museum Milwaukee’s exhibit.

Visitors will find local and internationally recognized individuals in dialogue with one another. Among them: Albert Einstein, Golda Meir, Amar’e Stoudemire, Lizzie Black Kander, Elie Wiesel, Anne Frank, Gene Wilder, Emma Lazarus, and even Elvis Presley.

“The portraits reflect a spectrum of relationships to Judaism, and framed by a narrative exploration of Jewish history, migration, values, and traditions, the context of those connections is illuminated and more deeply understood,” said Molly Dubin, Chief Curator at Jewish Museum Milwaukee.

48 Jews: Layers of Identity also bridges personal stories with historical events, global movement, and moments of change. In a time when antisemitism is on the rise, the exhibit offers an opportunity to engage with the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity.

“There is no single definition of what it means to be Jewish,” Dubin said. “This exhibit is about questioning, conversation, and evolution. It creates space to explore modern Jewish identity in the Diaspora and celebrate the contributions and diversity of experiences reflected across this series.”

The exhibit’s extended run allows Jewish Museum Milwaukee to engage school groups during the spring. Collaborations with J-Hub and the Holocaust Education and Resource Center will provide educational enrichment and classroom support while encouraging broader discussions around identity, representation, and belonging. Adult programs in the spring and summer will include lectures, films, workshops, and lunch-and-learns.

Jewish Museum Milwaukee will host an opening-night reception featuring an artist talk, Looking Beneath the Layers. Tickets are available at jewishmuseummilwaukee.org and include appetizers, wine, and desserts. All artworks available for purchase, with a portion of sales going to support JMM exhibitions and programs.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.