Take a closer look

Tefillin

If you read the tefillin page, you know there are four levels of quality for tefillin. Here are exciting pictures of sets from each category. All the sets are highly kosher and were created by professional craftsmen according to the specific tefillin laws. For more detailed information click any of your favorite pictures below.

Peshutim Made of several pieces of parchment glued together to create the boxes’ inner walls.

Peshutim mehudarim Made of one piece of thin parchment that creates a solid box.

Dakos Made of one piece of parchment that creates a solid box. The Dakos are considered to be more durable then the peshutim mehudarim.

Gasos Made of a solid piece of hide from a thick skinned animal. The Gasos considered to be the most durable and the most preferred by authorities.

Where to buy Tefillin?

• aJudaica.com
• JudaicaWebStore
• Judaism.com

 

Tefillin Pesuhtim Mehudarim
Sefaradi/Temani Version -
“Peer HaSTaM”

 

Tefillin Peshutim Mehudarim
Ashkenaz Version -
“Peer HaSTaM”

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 matza
* 1 egg – beaten
* 1/2 tsp butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Break the matza into 3 equal pieces and sandwich them together.
2. Place them under warm running water and when they are moist dip them into the egg.
3. In a large heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat, melt the butter.
4. Add the matza and fry it on one side, turn and fry on the other side.
5. Gobble down while hot…

I’m reaching out to you, to inform you of the Grand Opening of our new on-line Wholesale Art Gallery catering to all Art Professionals and Art Galleries: www.nerartgallery.com

NER Art Gallery is a fine art gallery located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, in NY, specializing in breathtaking Jewish Art, original oil paintings, reproductions and giclees from an array of famous artists such as Elena Flerova, Michael Rozenvain, Dennis Bacchus, Boris Dubrov, Alex Levin, and many more.

We also have a beautiful selection of Marriage contracts (Ketuba) and Scrolls of Esther (Megillat Esther) and other hand drawn Jewish artworks on parchment.

Sincerely,

Eytan Dzikowski
455 Rt. 306, Suite # 135 Wesley Hills, NY 10952
T: (845) 548.4029
F: (845) 818.3506
eytan@nerartgallery.com
www.nerartgallery.com
Skype ID: edziko

Ner Art Gallery

Let’s see what it’s all about

I divided the styles into two groups: the traditional ketubot and the modern ketubot. Both groups are usually inscribed on art paper such as watercolor paper or canvas.

The traditional ketubah
Most ketubot belonging to this category have an antique flair to them. The colors used to create the design are usually soft and elegant.

The modern ketubah
The modern ketubah’s design can reflect anything that inspires the artist, for example, nature, music or his past experiences. The color range is free and includes both soft and dominant colors such as hot pink and bright blue.

Here is a spectacular collection of ketubot. They are some of my most favorite! Clicking on any of the pictures will lead you to the online store where the ketubah will be available. Each of the pieces I selected was made in Israel and is of excellent quality that will last you for years – I hope you like them too!

Born in London, England in 1946, Archie Granot moved to Israel in 1967. Prior to settling in Jerusalem in 1978, he was a member of an agricultural community where he milked cows and grew melons. Archie Granot created his first papercut in 1979. He has a M.Phil in Russian Studies from the University of Glasgow, Scotland and a B.A. in Political Science and Russian Studies from the Hebrew University,Jerusalem.

The papercut as art is believed to have originated in ancient China possibly at the time that paper was invented in the second century. As this art form spread from China to Turkey, North Africa, Persia and eastern and central Europe, it evolved in many directions. Cut paper, parchment and even leather was used for a variety of purposes such as to create the puppet figures used in shadow theater, as amulets to
ward against evil spirits, as decorations in bookbinding and book decorations, as window decorations and to create silhouettes of people.

References to a Jewish papercut date from the 14th century when Rabbi Shem-Tov ben Yitzhak ben Ardutiel wrote “The War of the Pen Against the Scissors” in letters cut from paper because his ink froze on a
cold winter night. Although there is some uncertainty regarding the history of the Jewish papercut, it is believed that Jews were familiar with the art for some time because of the travels of Jewish merchants and the close ties between Jews and the Ottoman sultans.

During the 17th and 18th centuries the papercut became an important folk art among both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews, especially in countries where this folk art was practiced by the general population.
Requiring only simple and readily available tools—paper, pencil and knife—papercutting was available to all, even the poor. Few of the early papercuts survived, however, because their construction was
fragile (acid-free materials did not exist) and their purpose was usually short-lived. Used to fulfill hiddur mitzvah (embellishing the commandments in an aesthetic way), a papercut would be hung on the
walls of homes and synagogues and served a range of spiritual and ritual purposes in the Jewish calendar and life cycle. They were hung on eastern walls to indicate the direction of prayer (the Ashkenazi
papercut often had the word mizrach at the center while the Sephardic papercut often had the word shiviti at the center); they were used as holiday decorations (ushpizin to decorate the succah, shavuoslekh for
Shavuot, flags for Simchat Torah) and as amulets to ward off the evil eye (shir hamalosl, menorah); they were created to commemorate deaths in the family (yarzeit) and as calendars for counting the omer. They
were also used to decorate Ketubahs.

A traditional Jewish papercut was made by folding a sheet of paper in half, drawing one half of the design starting at the fold and cutting with a sharp knife to produce a symmetrical design upon opening the
folded sheet. These papercuts featured many traditional Jewish symbols including birds, lions, gazelles and other animals, menorahs, stars of David, tablets of the Law, columns to commemorate the Temple and
floral decorations that can be found on other Jewish ceremonial and ritual objects. Furthermore, calligraphic inscriptions were often used to supplement the imagery. Unlike other papercuts that were common in
the general population, a Jewish papercut did not feature human subjects or depict daily life.

Jewish papercutting continued to flourish in North Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia during the 19th century. Unfortunately, however, during the first half of the 20th century this tradition almost
disappeared because its practitioners either emigrated or, tragically, perished in the Holocaust. Furthermore, many examples of this folk tradition were lost with the destruction of Jewish communities.

During the last fifty years, however, papercut art as a means of Jewish expression has been revived, both in the conventional form of folding paper to create a symmetrical work and by cutting freely.
These papercuts often use traditional motifs that are frequently inspired by the artistic romanticism of the Bezalel school – founded in 1906 in Jerusalem.

Although Granot started in the traditional fashion, he decided early in his career to experiment, to go beyond traditional bounds and not to limit himself to the repetition of classic motifs and styles. His
works are not symmetrical and often contain multiple layers of interlaced designs that create a three-dimensional relief in what is usually a two-dimensional medium. The resulting web of shape and color
reaffirm the positive and negative spaces and create a sense of infinity. Yet the subjects are reminiscent of familiar Jewish imagery. As with any art form, inspiration can come from anywhere. Much of
Granot’s work is inspired by Jerusalem, the city where he lives. His imagery and texts are usually biblical, Talmudic or rabbinical and often reference or contain allusions to Jerusalem.

In the workshops that Granot teaches he encourages his students to let their imaginations run. To start at home one need only fold a piece of paper, draw a design from the fold (for example, half of a snowflake
or half of a menorah, the center on the fold), cut with a pair of scissors (manicure make a fine cut) or a fine knife and open the folded paper. The result is a papercut! You can also photocopy a
design, staple it to another piece of paper and cut around the design to create a papercut. The papercut can be painted and mounted on another piece of paper, on cardboard or even on glass. The
possibilities are endless—you can play with the positive and the negative to create your papercut and derive much pleasure from this centuries old craft.

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Bet Torah, Mount Kisco, New York, USA
Cartiere Miliani Fabriano spa, Fabriano, Italy
Congregation Beth Jacob, Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Congregation Bnai Torah, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Cantor Jacob and Dr. Belle Rosenbaum Mezuzah Collection, Great
Synagogue, Jerusalem, Israel
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
Jewish Museum, New York, New York, USA
Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, USA
Museum der Scherenschnitte, Vreden, Germany
Philadelphia Museum of Judaica, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Presidents Residence, Jerusalem, Israel
Rubenovitz Museum, Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Chestnut Hill,
Massachusetts, USA
Sir Isaac and Lady Wolfson Museum, Heichal Shlomo, Jerusalem, Israel
Temple Shaarai Shomayim, Lancaster. PA, USA
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England
Yeshivah University Museum, New York, USA

INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITIONS:
2008 “The Papercut Haggadah by Archie Granot”, Yeshiva University
Museum, New York, USA
2002 Temple Shaarai Shomayim, Lancaster, PA, USA
2002 The Heritage Museum of Temple Emmanu-El, Closter, New Jersey, USA
2001 Appel Art Gallery, Katz JCC, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA
2000 Art Effects Gallery, Merion, Pennsylvania, USA
1998 May Museum of Temple Israel, Lawrence, New York, USA
1997 Rubenovitz Museum, Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Chestnut Hill,
Massachusetts, USA
1997 Temple Beth Shalom, Roslyn Heights, New York, USA
1997 Koslowe Gallery, Westchester Jewish Center, Mamaroneck, New York, USA
1996 UJA-Federation, New York, New York, USA
1992 Elisabeth S. Fine Museum of Judaica at Congregation Emanu-El, San
Francisco, California, USA
1992 Philadelphia Museum of Judaica at Congregation Rodeph Shalom,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1991 Yeshiva University Museum, New York, New York, USA
1989 Kuzari Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel
1989 Ariel Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel
1988-9 Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum, Braunschweig, Germany
1985 Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2009 “Old Friends, New Work”, Elisabeth S. Fine Museum of Judaica at
Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco, California, USA
2008-9 “Envisioning Maps”, Hebrew Union College, New York, New York, USA
2008 5th International Book & Paper Arts Triennial, Columbia College,
Chicago Center for Book & Paper Arts, Chicago, USA
2007 “Ombres & Lumières”, Musée des Miniatures et Décors de Cinéma,
Lyons, France
2007 Rye Arts Center, Rye, New York, USA
2006 The Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, New York, USA
2003 Israel Wilfid Museum, Kibbutz Hazorea, Israel
2003 The Kansas Jewish Museum, Overland Park, Kansas, USA
2002 The Kansas Jewish Museum, Overland Park, Kansas, USA
1998 William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1997 Bnai Brith Klutznick National Jewish Museum, Washington, D C , USA
1997 University Museum of Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville,
Illinois, USA
1996 Visual Arts Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh,
North Carolina, USA
1996 Bnai Brith Klutznick National Jewish Museum, Washington, DC, USA
1995 Starr Gallery, Newton Centre, Massachusetts, USA
1994 The Jewish Museum, New York, New York, USA
1994 National Museum of Japan, Kyoto, Japan
1994 Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan
1994 JCC Goldman Gallery, Rockville, Maryland, USA
1992-3 The San Francisco Craft and Art Museum, San Francisco, California, USA
1992 Hirsh Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA
1991-2 Paine Art Center, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
1991 Mizel Museum of Judaica, Denver, Colorado, USA
1990 Palos Verdes Art Center, Palos Verdes, California, USA
1989 Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
1987 Museum of Music and Ethnology, Haifa, Israel

Join in and write your own page! It’s easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to artist list.

For Only Og

I have been active for over 30 years. I have exhibited my work internationally through several solo and group exhibitions. My latest body of work has been praised as “A blend of visionary religious and ultra-realism in style, RiiS’ religious paintings are unique in terms of Jewish art. His use of copper, textures and multi-media is also unlike anything else”. (Jewish Herald Voice) The Legends of Tanakh group of work has been shown in solo exhibitions in Houston, Austin and throughout Central Texas.

Each painting is based on either the weekly parchat or Haftorah being studied when the painting began. My application technique results in rich texture. I use copper wherever flesh is rendered and this adds to the impact of the work. Woodcuts taken from the paintings are used in my limited edition hand made books.

contact info:
dan@dangrife.com

Join in and write your own page! It’s easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to artist list.

I am a professional artist Anna Kronick, (MFA).
I developed intricate multi-layered Judaic decorative paper cuts (museum quality).
I would like to present my artwork for your consideration.
You can see my paper cuts at: http://akronick.wordpress.com/
Thank you for your time.
With all due respect,

Anna Kronick

Get ready to taste a cake like no other…

Cheese Cake for Shavuot

This is a Shavuot recipe for a great cheese cake. It was passed on to me by my mother, who got it from her mothermany years ago. It’s not complicated you can even master it with no prior cooking skills. Are you ready? Here we go…

What do you need?

1/4 cup pecan or walnut halves 3 tbsp sugar 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 1 1/4 cups of simple cookie crumbs (for fine crumbs process cookies in food processor or place in bag and crush)

Next, the filling ingredients : 1 pound (450 gr.) cream cheese, cut into pieces and softened 1/2 cup sour cream 3/4 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 grated lemon peel (large) 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

For the topping you need: 1 1/2 cups sour cream 3 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

How to go about it?

• Start by preheating the oven to 325 deg.
• Mix cookie crumbs, nuts and sugar.
• Add melted butter and mix again (well)
• Butter a 9 inch (23 cm) springform pan
• Press cookie mixture to bottom and sides of pan
• Bake for 10 minutes, let crust cool completely – don’t turn off oven at this point

Preparing the filling:

• At low speed, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
• Gradually beat in sugar, then beat in eggs one by one
• Beat in lemon peel, then add vanilla
• Gently pour filling into cooled crust, bake for 45 minutes (or until the filling is firm)
• Cool for about 15 minutes – turn up oven temp to 400 deg.

Last step…the topping

• Mix sour cream, sugar and vanilla then gently spread evenly on cake
• Return cake to oven and bake for 7 minutes, remove from oven and let cool down
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours before diving in… Enjoy!

More Jewish recipe

• A Passover recipe you will not be able to resist!
• My great Hanukkah recipe for traditional potato latkes

I am a mixed media collage artist who never quite grew up! I love to play and create – and that is what creating art is to me – playing!!!. I have taught Judaics and Art to children, teenagers and adults for over 20 years and my love for the two subjects permeate my own artwork. I am a single mom to 3 teenagers/adults – my oldest just made aliyah and is in the IDF, my daughter is in seminary in Israel and my youngest is in yeshiva high school. My family,world revolves around the land of Israel and my intense ties and love for the land and its people.
The art that I create incorporates layers of painting with line drawings, vintage photos and period advertising posters and stamps from eras past. Additionally I integrate ancient manuscripts,classic seforim and text into my art. Besides this, I create artworks using copies of your own vintage photographs and memorabilia I create one of a kind lasting memories of interest for your family!

Contact information:
Debbie Botnick,
email:debbot00@hotmail.com
Phone: 678 6121357

Join in and write your own page! It’s easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to artist list.