Soaring to New Mexico with Sky West

My bucket list includes a trip to the Southwestern region of the United States, to view the Grand Canyon, to bask in the painted desert, and to learn more about Native American culture.  However, until then, I can take a virtual trip to New Mexico, through the craftsmanship and talent of Charles Fleckenstein, the artist behind the scenes at Sky West.  Charlie’s medium is wood inlay and often he will accent the wood with a semi-precious stone, and when the two looks combine, the result is what I imagine the expansive Southwest to be – breathtaking!

The skill, the workmanship, and the overall effect that Charlie creates is amazing!  When I first saw these pieces, it was hard for me to believe that the mezuzahs were actually different types of wood and were not hand painted!  But it’s true.  Mezuzahs are solid wood with so much intricate detail that the animals on Noah’s Ark seem to come to life and nighttime in Jerusalem actually features a darkened sky lit up with tiny silver stars.  These effects are accomplished through the use of carefully selected and hand cut inlay woods such as black ziricote, red tulipwood, white olive, purple kingwood, deep red cocobolo, and cordia.

The large and small hinged boxes are made from American walnut and the interiors are lined with black felt, to protect cherished valuables.  They are handsome and symbolic, featuring the Star of David accented with beautiful turquoise inlay, a semi-precious stone long associated with the Southwest.  I have always been a big fan of bringing nature indoors whenever possible.  It seems to me that it’s good for the soul.  That must be why people keep houseplants and tiny bonsai trees.  Unfortunately for me, I tend to kill any plant life that comes into contact with me.  That’s why I love the idea of objects made from or inspired by nature, like these beautiful gifts from Sky West.

My daughter has always been fascinated with making things and she was so inspired by these incredible works of art that she decided to join the woodworking club at school!  She even has a favorite wood – walnut.  All of Sky West’s pieces are made from domestic and exotic woods. They are proud to support the National Arbor Foundation, an organization that helps protect the world’s forests.  All of their gifts are shipped with information cards with descriptions and care instructions, so these remarkable pieces will be sure to give you many years of joy – no green thumb required!

Shana Tova from Esther Abramowitz in Jerusalem

Yesterday, my brother-in-law, Kenny, who lives in Israel, sent me an email from his friend, Esther Abramowitz. It was so beautiful, I asked him to ask Esther if I can share it with you, and here it is:

Shana Tova from Esther in Jerusalem

Hi! I hope you are having a fabulous day wherever you are!

The Chagim are here! No matter that they are “late” this year- my lists are not finished, my shopping not done and I have not started cooking! Yehiye Tov. It is going to be awesome!  It feels like this whole week is Erev Chag here in Israel! Craziness. I think the entire country is basically obsessed with cleaning, menus and food shopping right now. There are ridiculous lines at every supermarket, awesome pre Chag sales on house wares and clothing, flowers galore, Chag sale ads on the sides of buses, Shana Tova text messages appearing on my cell phone and in my inbox all day, packages of chocolate, baskets of apples and honey and flowers being delivered to our office, and on and on… Everyone seems to be cleaning, shopping, cooking and buying Shana Tova gifts for one another. I love it! I just read that Israelis will consume 1,500 tons of honey this month, valued at NIS 60 million. An average Israeli will eat 300 grams of honey. Yikes!

I am once again reminded of the many brachot in my life, the joy of welcoming people into my home (I wish you could join me at my table though this year you may have to sit on the mirpeset as there may not be room inside!) the power of recognizing and blessing the good in ourselves and in others, the very sweet joy of celebrating, the feeling of fulfillment, awe and occasional “wow” during tefillah, and the painful and powerful beauty of forgiveness and compassion.

Wishing you a wonderful and fulfilling month of Chagim! I hope they are filled with joy, health, yummy food, song, loved ones and laughter!

Shana Tova U’Metuka,

Love, Esther

The poem below was also sent by Esther:

I found this Yehuda Amichai poem that touched me that I wanted to share with you. I so wish I could have a conversation with him.

The Real Hero

The real hero of the Isaac story was the ram,
who didn’t know about the conspiracy between the others.
As if he had volunteered to die instead of Isaac.
I want to sing a song in his memory–
about his curly wool and his human eyes,
and how they made those horns into shofars when he was slaughtered
to sound their battle cries
or to blare out their obscene joy.

I want to remember the last frame
like a photo in an elegant fashion magazine:
the young man tanned and manicured in his jazzy suit
and beside him the angel, dressed for a party
in a long silk gown,
both of them empty-eyed, looking
at two empty places,

And behind them, like a colored backdrop, the ram,
caught in the thicket before the slaughter.
The thicket was his last friend.

The angel went home.
Isaac went home.
Abraham and God had gone long before.

But the real hero of the Isaac story
was the ram.

–Yehuda Amichai, “The Real Hero”

The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai, trans. Chana Bloch & Stephen
Mitchell

(Berkeley: Univ. California Press, 1996)

Introducing Artist Steven Cooper, Metalsmith

This fall, Jewish Gift Place is excited to share a wonderful collection of designs by acclaimed metalsmith, Steven Cooper.

Inspired by the world around him, Cooper’s designs come to life with a minimalist style that also shines of whimsy. Cooper lives in New York’s Hudson Valley in a 200 year old renovated barn that serves as his home/studio/museum. There he labors over images of nature – trees, rocks, flowers, water – all find their way into creations of delicate jewelry, fantastical sculptures and beautiful interpretations of iconic Judaica.

As a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and its school for American Craftsman as well as the Fashion Institute of Technology, Cooper has studied with and trained with some of the best in the fields of metalsmith and jewelry design including designers from Harry Winston and Tiffany’s. All his creations flow from a single guiding principle. “Never add anything that doesn’t belong.” These words were imparted to him by his RIT teacher, the renowned silversmith, Hans Christiansen who instilled in him an eye for “clean design”. Thirty years later, the ideal still shapes and influences his work today.

VIEW THE STEVE COOPER COLLECTION

In this wonderful collection of nature inspired designs, there is plenty to see and admire. I was smitten with the Steve Cooper Pink Pearl Sterling Silver Flower Earrings. I love the pink pearls at the center of each flower. The look is so charming and stylish – perfect to wear for both day and night!

There is also a stunning array of Judaica to be found. Are you looking for a special broken  wedding glass mezuzah? Then you are in luck, Cooper’s designs are exquisite! Choose from lovely floral blossoms, gentle swaying reeds or Jewish Stars to adorn your wedding keepsake. They are available with glass in blue, green or pink.

Cooper’s menorah designs are equally superb. He captures all the elements of nature at their best. Serene bounties of leaves and flowers stand tall in lush displays like the Steve Cooper Copper and Wood Arch Menorah which boasts a cocobolo base, a beautiful tropical hardwood from Central America or the Steve Cooper Copper Flower Menorah styled simply on a fine black galaxy granite
base.

Whether big or small, each item in the Steven Cooper Collection is beautifully handcrafted to be a treasure, a unique work of art for you.