Prayer I 

Bernard Reder created this print, titled 'Prayer I', using woodcut, a medium that allowed for bold contrasts and graphic expression. It depicts a praying Jewish man, possibly a rabbi, adorned in traditional religious garb. The stark black and white palette and Reder’s expressive lines add a sense of urgency. The figure’s intensity might reflect the historical context of Jewish identity in the 20th century. Born in Czernowitz, a city with a rich Jewish cultural heritage then part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Reder's life and work were deeply shaped by the political upheavals and displacements of his time. He emigrated to the United States in the 1940s, fleeing Nazi persecution. Considering this history can give us insight into the emotional depth of this image. Further research into the cultural and political history of Jews in Europe and the United States might reveal more about Reder’s personal experiences.