Embedded Files
Sidney Rackoff
Sidney Rackoff
Born in 1919, Sid enlisted in the Ohio 83rd Infantry Division. While serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he saw combat in France, Belgium, and Germany. He received a purple heart for his service. Citing his war experiences, he stated " The suffering of war has been troubling me ever since 1945," claiming not to be anti-war, just working to "show the suffering that war brings to people." Sid was also interested in " the response his work provokes, whether it is admiration or repulsion."
Sidney Rackoff Working in his shop
"the Tortured Soul"
"the Tortured Soul"
this sculpture enables one to see that war tears apart a man, even to the level of his inner-most being, and for eternity.
"we could have been brothers"
"we could have been brothers"
The steel sculpture displayed here recognizes the horrors of war. This sculpture represents two soldiers locked in combat, one man fighting for one ideology against his own brother fighting for the other side.
"sunshine Girl"
"sunshine Girl"
Opposite of his traditional theology of war , the "Sunshine Girl" depicts the joys of new life awaiting her embrace in a world without conflict.
"Damaged Legs"
"Damaged Legs"
Represents the severed legs of a soldier who lost them in WWII.
“The army didn’t even remove his boots. Why bother? He now has no use for them”
Rabbi Sidney Rackoff (1919 – 2014)
"Torso"
"Torso"
Illustrates what’s left of a man who lost everything including his life during WWII.
“Just kneeling, frozen upright in a muddy field.”
-Rabbi Sidney Rackoff (1919 – 2014)
"Head with brains"
"Head with brains"
Symbolizes the part of a person that cannot be taken from them by war.
“You may take all of my body, but you can’t take my thoughts.”
Rabbi Sidney Rackoff (1919 – 2014)
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