A manifestation of the digital collection of the NYC Trans Oral History Project, here Aviva Silverman suspends 36 auditory excerpts from 36 narrators - stories bridging time and space, reaching towards Olam ha Ba (Hebrew for “The World that is Coming,” understood to be a world of harmony, peace and justice.)

The number 36 has particular relevance Jewish numerology, and is often referred to as the number of supreme holiness. This connotation connects to the concept of the LAMED VAV ZADDIKIM (Heb. ל״ו צַדִּיקִים, "36) - the 36 people born in each generation, capable of restoring the world to wholeness from chaos. These individuals have unique capacities to perceive the Divine Presence dwelling in all things; it is said that the world exists on their merit. According to G. Scholem, this theory is drawn from the astrological belief in 36 celestial decans, each of which rules ten days of the year and, thus, ten degrees of the constellations. Visitors are invited to hold these illuminated orbs, each containing a unique story, connecting the listener to the legacy illuminated through the collection.

Installation created by Aviva Silverman on behalf of the NYC Trans Oral History Project