A Mid Summer’s Day Chupa

July 21st, 2008 - Posted by Lana in Blogroll, New Products | | 0 Comments

My daughter is attending a one week sleepaway camp on the North Fork of Long Island. For those of our customers who are not from the tri-state area, that is the north eastern part of Long Island — across from the famous Hamptons — and home to some of the most beautiful wineries anywhere.   

On my way back from dropping Paige off at camp, I decided to take a look at one of the larger wineries on the North Fork, as a possible venue for an upcoming family wedding. I drove up the winding gravel driveway and parked my car on the open grass. Thinking I would grab some brochures and take a quick peek around, I took a few steps toward the main house.

I glanced around the gorgeous property and was simply stopped in my tracks by a small wedding going on in the distance in an open green field. The bride and groom stood under a chupah, (sometimes spelled huppah or chuppah), made of four birch branches and topped with a span of white gossamer cloth which was billowing playfully in the summer wind. The bride and groom, young and joyful, were taking their vows before a crowd of maybe 40 people.

The birds seemed quiet, I couldn’t hear any voices and the wind seemed to whistle sweetly as I watched.

The group was still, taking part in this simple, yet age old tradition. It could have been any time period — forty, fifty, even a hundred years ago. In the distance I heard the glass break under the groom’s foot and I was startled back to reality. I saw the bride and groom seal their vows with a kiss while the onlookers descended on them with a rush of love and good wishes.

On my long drive home, I thought about the ceremony, the bride and groom, and the chuppah with its lovely fabric dancing and fluttering like angels wings. What a gorgeous tradition — so fully of meaning and symbolism and so visually stunning.

At JewishGiftPlace.com we sell so many beautiful items that would make the perfect Jewish gift and wedding gift, and some of my favorites are the ones that include the symbolism of the chupah. Some of our new Seeka pieces convey the meaning of the chupah in a dramatic way.

The artist describes this mezuzah with an artistic flair that reflects the piece: “A mezuzah of a dreamy Chagall-like wedding held under a dramatic night sky. The Chupa is placed in the forefront creating a theatrical piece.”

This Seeka tzedakah box would be a lovely wedding gift as a artful container for a monetary gift or to remind the bride and groom of the richness of their lives and the importance of keeping this most important of mitzvahs.

That special moment under the chupa is also commemorated in so many of Gary Rosenthal’s broken wedding glass pieces. We sell the glass for breaking in beautiful jewel tones as well as many artistic uses for the glass such as this incredible Gary Rosenthal Wedding Glass Heart Kiddush Cup.

Perhaps you have a wedding coming up or a first anniversary party to attend. Any of these lovely designs inspired by the symbolism of the chupa would be so well received and a much appreciated gift.  The Jewish gifts we carry are carefully and lovingly selected to be something you would be proud to give.

Jewish Designers Take Center Stage

July 3rd, 2008 - Posted by Lana in General | | 0 Comments

I have always been fascinated with fashion. Growing up on the lower east side of Manhattan, with the bargain mecca of Orchard Street beneath me and the clothing racks of the Garment District above me, I have always been interested in what is new and in style.

Back in the late 90s, my husband worked for several years as personal security to Calvin Klein and this gave me my first real peak into the glitz and glamour of the fashion world. Every day when he came home I would interrogate him about the designers and the fashions. Even today I never miss an episode of Project Runway and my heart skips a beat when they show that gorgeous “Needle Threading a Button” sculpture on 7th Avenue in NYC!

Well when I read this morning about a new documentary that is currently in production, I knew it would be right up my alley. The documentary by Pacific Street Films entitled Dressing America: Jews in the Garment Industry, “will tell the story of an often overlooked side of this colorful and vibrant industry – an industry which provided opportunities for countless entrepreneurs, largely Jewish, who blended business acumen with artistic flair – doing for American style what their counterparts in Hollywood did for the cinema.”

The documentary got me thinking about the contributions of Jewish designers in both clothing and jewelry design. From Judith Ripka to Marc Jacobs, the rich history and notable contributions of these amazing artists is undeniable. For many decades, especially during the postwar era, Jewish designers purposefully hid their heritage, but this is definitely changing.

More recently, designers have really been bringing Judaism to the front of the runway! Last summer, designer Alexandre Herchcovitch’s modest show was the talk of the fashion town with a strong use of Jewish themes in his couture line. The Jewish Star was big and I mean big!

Here at Jewish Gift Place, we have an incredible collection of talented Jewish artists creating stylish Judaica! Our Star of David Jewelry is incredibly popular and we are adding new items every day! Here are some pieces that are sure to get you noticed even if you are not on the catwalk!

Eco-Friendly Accessories: Eduardo Milieris Copper Watches

June 23rd, 2008 - Posted by Lana in Discovering New Artists, General, New Products | | 0 Comments

High Gas Prices

With rising gas prices and all of the unusual weather we’ve been experiencing, it’s hard not to think about our impact on the natural world and about being more environmentally conscious.

‘Green’ Celebrities

For many celebrities, being “green” is the trendy thing to do and with stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz driving it home to us in their hybrid vehicles, it’s hard not to take note! But celebrities like to be both stylish and politically correct! That is why the Eduardo Milieris line of modern copper watches can be seen worn by actors on TV shows such as Sex and the City and Third Watch.

“Ethically satisfying and Fashionably Fun!”

With Eduardo Milieris’ watch designs it’s easy to be both fashion forward and environmentally conscious! This month, the fashion editor of the environmental consciousness fashion site, EcoSalon.com, remarked on Milieris’ collection of eco-friendly accessories. At EcoSalon, they believe that “style and sustainability belong in the same sentence” and that an “eco-friendly lifestyle can be both ethically satisfying and fashionably fun!”

Eduardo Milieris Watches are Eco-chic!

Milieris’ designs are the very epitome of ‘eco-chic’ – items that are not only environmentally responsible but have the hip factor as well. Eduardo’s watches are made from recycled metals and embellished with sterling silver, copper, and brass.

Green With Envy

At Jewish Gift Place, we know you want to be ‘green’ but not ‘green with envy’! So make sure you check out our new collection of beautiful, handmade copper watches from Eduardo Milieris. If you are looking for a Jewish gift or simply something to make a fashion statement, you won’t be disappointed!

‘Rock’ Shabbat and Bat Mitzvah Fun!

June 15th, 2008 - Posted by Lana in General, Uncategorized | | 0 Comments

I recently had the great privilege of attending my niece’s Bat Mitzvah at the Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Bellevue, Washington. 16 excited family members made the trip across country from New York to Washington State.

The service was held in the awe-inspiring Goldfarb Schwartz Sanctuary. It was a stunning natural space set amidst soaring pine trees and a rainy sky. It was inspiring just to sit there and be a part of it.

The Friday night service was a “Rock Shabbat”, which was just wonderful! The Rock Shabbat is a joyful, upbeat musical event that has the congregation tapping their toes and clapping their hands! The Temple describes it as a “rockin’ celebration” that is “mostly musical, partly mystical, totally participatory”.

The Temple also does a “Shabbat unplugged” service which is described as “a bit more intimate and serene than Rock Shabbat” but with “the same level of participation, warmth and spirituality”. If you’re interested, the Temple has a podcast page that will give you a taste of how wonderful it was! You can even download the performances to your MP3 player to enjoy on the road!

It was a special moment in my niece’s life and I was so glad to be able to be there for it. I gave her a Seeka Bat Mitzvah necklace which I thought was perfect for her because it is so colorful and youthful. I know it is something she will always treasure as a special token of the day she became a Bat Mitzvah.

Jewish Gift Place carries so many beautiful Bat Mitzvah gifts and Bar Mitzvah gifts that it was almost impossible to decide on one! If you have a special bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah in your life, here are some ideas that are sure to please:

• Gary Rosenthal Bar Mitzvah Tzedakah box
• Gary Rosenthal Bat Mitzvah Haftorah Bookends
• Emily Rosenfeld Heart/Star Tzedakah box
• Gary Rosenthal Bat Mitzvah Mezuzah
• Gary Rosenthal Bar Mitzvah Haftorah Bookends
• Gary Rosenthal Bat Mitzvah Sculpture

I am really looking forward to the next Bat Mitzvah in the family which will be in May of 2010. I have between now and then to make up my mind about what to give as a gift next time around! With all of these beautiful items to choose from, I may need more time!

Sex and the City Makes Judaica Stylish

June 6th, 2008 - Posted by Lana in General | | 0 Comments

The premiere of the hotly anticipated Sex and the City movie has theaters everywhere experiencing sold out shows like never before. It is a phenomenon. Fans across the world are flocking to see it and its debut broke the record for best opening day ever for a romantic comedy.

Each fan of the show has a favorite among the ‘girls’ and Charlotte York, Jewish convertee, definitely is one of my favorites. WASPy Charlotte, after years of unsuccessful relationships and one failed marriage, meets Jewish lawyer, Harry Goldenblatt, and falls in love.

Charlotte is a traditional girl and immediately takes on the traditions of Judaism with a joyfulness and hilarity that is such a part of the show. She is seen preparing challah bread and matzo-ball soup, and serving potato kugel and brisket.

As Carrie Bradshaw says at the beginning of the movie, people come to New York for the two L’s: love and labels. The show has always been all about style and there is no doubt that Charlotte York would love the stylish Judaica that we carry at Jewish Gift Place.

Charlotte York is an art dealer on the show, so it would be no surprise if her character were drawn to the amazing handcrafted Judaica that we carry and the new artists we are adding everyday.

We never get to see the wedding band that Charlotte selected for Harry, but with her exquisite taste it would definitely be something like our beautiful hebrew wedding band called the soul mate ring.

Charlotte’s wedding was one of the highest rated episodes of the show ever and fans of the show remember when Harry could not break the ceremonial glass underfoot. Maybe if he was breaking a Gary Rosenthal Jewish wedding glass he wouldn’t have had that problem! And can’t you just see a photo of Charlotte and Harry in one of Gary Rosenthal’s Jewish Wedding Glass Picture Frames on a desk in their beautiful uptown NYC apartment?

Charlotte and Harry tried for so long to have children and finally adopted adorable little Lily Goldenblatt. Charlotte is a romantic and she decorated her daughter’s room all pink and girly just as we would expect from Charlotte! The Gary Rosenthal Baby Girl Tzedakah Box would be something we could expect to find in that little pink princess room!

Just when Charlotte and Harry thought they could not have children of their own — God sent them an unexpected blessing! Charlotte gave birth to beautiful baby Rose Goldenblatt.

Since Charlotte has an eye for the unique and classically simple, a nursery mezuzah like the Emily Rosenfeld pewter Noah’s Ark mezuzah would fit right in as something that would hang in the nursery of brand new baby Rose Goldenblatt.

We know that Charlotte and Harry’s love will stand the test of time! What would Charlotte give Harry for their 25th wedding anniversary? Why, maybe an Jewish gift something like our Eduardo Milieris modern copper watch, of course! Elegant and so artistic!

If you are someone who is looking for stylish Judaica that would make even the Sex and the City divas proud, check out our collection. You will find a label you love!

Introductions…

May 28th, 2008 - Posted by Lana in New Products | | 0 Comments

Hi, I’d like to introduce myself — I’m Lana and I have been working with Risa at JewishGiftPlace.com for a few months now. Risa has asked me to contribute to the site’s blog so I will try to keep you posted once a week on what’s new and what’s happening at JGP! This week Risa showed me a new artist she was adding to the site and I could not get over how beautiful the line is! I am referring to a line of copper watches by Eduardo Milieris that we have added to our inventory.

Risa has a terrific eye for bringing beautiful things to the site and these watches are no exception. These modern Hebrew watch designs have such a timeless appeal and are so unlike anything you will find in any store! Great for a man or a woman, the pieces are oxidized and weathered to have an aged patina.

What I found interesting about this copper watch collection is that Eduardo does not seal the metals so that they can continue to age and grow more beautiful over time. What a great gift this would be for a groom from his bride with these sentiments attached — “grow old along with me, the best is yet to be — that’s goes for me and the watch!” Sweet!

Risa is always mindful of packaging and presentation of the items she carries but these watches are packaged so beautifully — you would truly be proud to present this gift to anyone! The watches come in a gorgeous creamy brown faux suede box that is incredibly luxurious. And if that wasn’t enough, they also come with a terrific CD of music (Gustavo Casenave “Project Time”) that is a gift in itself!

And, as always, we would love to hear your comments. Please email us and let us know what you think! See you next time!

Spring Has Sprung At Jewish Gift Place!

April 30th, 2008 - Posted by Lana in General | | 0 Comments

It may be dreary outside but Passover is behind us and spring has arrived! Spring is wedding season so be sure to check out our extensive wedding gift collection featuring some lovely broken wedding glass pieces. Try one of the Gary Rosenthal picture frames or his ingenious new kaleidoscopes made from broken wedding glass. Definitely a conversation piece! Another great gift for the young couple just starting out is a mezuzah for their new home. Emily Rosenfeld is a new artist to Jewish Gift Place and we are thrilled to have her! Emily makes some really unique pewter mezuzahs that have proven to be extremely popular with our customers! Her pewter house mezuzah or her pewter couple mezuzah would make lovely gifts.

Another great gift idea is a menorah for the new couple. The family menorah that they will gather around at Hanukkah for years to come makes a treasured gift. Jewish Gift Place carries an extensive line of menorahs to suit every taste. Check out our Blackthorne Forge menorahs. Each piece is handcrafted in Vermont and guaranteed for life!Be remembered as the new couple celebrates their first seder dinner with some of our gorgeous seder plates or perhaps a handmade candlestick. We have many to choose from. For an added touch many of our pieces can be personalized with a sentiment from you.

For the bride and groom, we have a very beautiful selection of wedding rings. For the bridesmaids, Michal Golan jewelry would be perfect as a remembrance piece. Her lovely and colorful hamsa necklaces would be perfect for any age. For groomsmen, check out the new lines we are carrying from artists Shamay & Benlulu or Michael Bromberg.

Spring is also Bar and Bat Mitzvah season and if you are looking for that special gift, we’ve got you covered! Jewish Gift Place carries a full line of beautiful, handcrafted items that are always appreciated. Is the young man an avid reader? Check out Gary Rosenthal’s Bar Mitzvah Haftorah Bookends. Does the young lady love eye-catching jewelry? Seeka’s Bat Mitzvah Necklace is a youthful, standout piece. We have tzedakah boxes of every kind, mezuzahs that commemorate the occasion and lovely handpainted celebration tallit for you to choose from. With our large selection of beautiful items, you are sure to find a gift you’ll be proud to give.

Jewish Gift Place Welcomes the Designs of Emily Rosenfeld!

April 15th, 2008 - Posted by Lana in Discovering New Artists, New Products | | 0 Comments

Jewish Gift Place is thrilled to welcome a new artist to our site: Emily Rosenfeld. We are sure you will agree her artwork is gorgeous! Emily’s expressive jewelry and home accessories are handcrafted from pewter. Her pieces convey a strong sense of tradition with a contemporary interpretation and a playful sense of whimsy.

Emily’s line is crafted in western Massachusetts but her journey in perfecting her craft has taken her from San Francisco to New York. Emily began her career in the jewelry industry, working for production jewelers, Lewis and Hubener. Recognizing her eye for making beautiful pieces and her love of the craft, she decided to try her hand at her own business. She started small, running her business out of a Murphy bed closet! It was not long before her talents were recognized by the artistic community. Today, her home in the countryside of Florence, Massachusetts inspires her love of nature and this is a common theme that runs throughout her work. Emily says, “I feel continually inspired to develop new designs and play with new materials and techniques.”

Emily work is lovingly designed with the vision of an artist. Each design starts off as a drawing which is worked without editing until Emily achieves a form she wants to bring to life. A model is then crafted and finally cast in pewter. Emily’s preference towards using pewter is an expression of her desire that her work be valued not for the materials used, but for the joy and strength that she pours into each piece. Emily’s recently added collection has received great attention from our customers at Jewish Gift Place! Her pieces have been extremely popular after only a short time on our site! We carry the full line of Emily’s judaica, which many unique mezuzot, jewelry including earrings, necklaces and bracelets, kiddish cups, tzedakah boxes and dreidel. Emily puts heart and thought into each piece and each is unique and inspirational. Each design incorporates the letter Shin which is part of God’s name. These whimsical items both continue and reinterpret the tradition, making a lovely gift to pass on for a wedding or bar mitzvah. Emily’s love for her work is palpable in the striking pewter pieces she creates and that is transferred to anyone who owns a piece. Emily shares, “Making my work makes me very happy; I hope owning it brings a measure of joy as well.”

An Amazing Time at the NY International Gift Fair!

February 7th, 2008 - Posted by RisaB in Discovering New Artists | | 0 Comments

For the third time since January 2007, I visited the NY International Gift Fair, and this time I brought my husband, Michael, with me to share in the excitement. The Jacob Javits Convention Center on the West Side of Manhattan is the most massive indoor space you could imagine. Imagine a craft fair times a thousand (see last picture below).

I visited with the artists whose work I already carry, and bought incredible items from at least 6 more artists.

Below are some photos that I took at the show.

Ann Rosenthal (Gary’s Mom), Risa Borsykowsky, & Gary Rosenthal

Cynthia Gale and Risa Borsykowsky

Risa Borsykowsky and Steven Bronstein of Blackthorne Forge

Jacob Javits Convention Center

I am very very excited to be adding the following artists to the collection of handmade Judaica at Jewish Gift Place (coming soon):

• Edward Cohen - Ed makes the most beautiful wooden mezuzahs with the grain from the trees made in Massachusetts
• Ester Shahaf - Enamel and crystal Star of David necklaces and hamsa necklaces made in Israel
• Tel Megiddo Jewelry - Star of David and Chai necklaces made in Israel
• Yossi Steinberg - Bright enamel necklaces and mezuzahs made in Israel
• Emily Rosenfeld - Pewter mezuzahs and silver jewelry handmade in Massachusetts
• Neta Fine Art Jewelry - Incredible jewelry handmade in Israel
• Shamay & Benlulu Jewelry - Star and David pendants and jewelry handmade in Israel

AND, I’ve ordered more incredible items from the original Jewish Gift Place artists:

• Gary Rosenthal - look for an amazing wedding glass Seder plate and more new Passover 2008 items
• Michael Bromberg - look for a Jewish charm necklace and a few mezuzah necklaces
• Michal Golan - look for more hamsas, Star of David necklaces, and the rest of her collection
• Seeka - look for more of their mezuzahs, necklaces, tzedekah boxes, dreidels, and menorahs
• Steve Bronstein of Blackthorne Forge - he makes the most incredible iron Seder plates!
• Cynthia Gale - The pieces she has designed for the Jewish Museum are really incredible and has the nicest men’s Star of David necklaces I’ve seen.

Thank you to all of the customers who have visited since I’ve launched Jewish Gift Place in May 2007. The website is growing quickly with all of the new Judaica that I am representing.

About Jewish Gift Place

September 28th, 2007 - Posted by RisaB in General | | 0 Comments

Welcome to Jewish Gift Place. I hope you enjoy viewing all of the beautiful handcrafted Judaica items carefully selected to be in our collection.

I’ve always loved the arts, crafts, and design. My shelves are filled with the beautiful pottery plates, bowls, mugs, and vases that I’ve made. My watercolor paintings hang from the walls. I love photography. There is always a crafts project going on in my house - collages, stepping stones, handmade soap, jewelry… I love color, shapes, textures, symmetry, and asymmetry. I own a beautiful Judaica collection.

In our Jewish gift collection, everything is handmade. We have handmade jewelry, menorahs, and mezuzzahs by Michal Golan, hand built pottery by Emily Pearlman, handmade jewelry by Michael Bromberg, hand painted silk tallit by Nicole Curl and Jan Marie Lanier, handcrafted metals by Gary Rosenthal, and handmade glass items by K4 Glassart. Each item is unique and beautiful.

If you know of a Judaica artist whose work should be included in our collection, let us know. There is nothing like a handmade item to bring warmth and specialness to a home.

Whether you are looking for a wedding gift, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah gift, a gift for a new home, or a gift for yourself, we are sure that you will find the perfect Judaica gift at Jewish Gift Place.

Thanks for visiting!

Risa Borsykowsky
Owner, Jewish Gift Place