Diane’s paintings are rich with color, design and narrative. She works in gouache, an opaque watercolor medium that enhances her vibrant palette and love of detail. Handmade paper adds texture and dimension to her paintings. She creates dialogues in her work by paying homage to women’s empowerment, eastern philosophy, mythology, Jewish heritage and traditions.

Diane has a BA in Studio Art from Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts. She received her MA in Art and Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York City.  When she’s not painting, she often works as an artist in residence for schools, museums and hospitals.

David Gerstein was born in Jerusalem in 1944. He studied at the Bezalel  Academy of Art in Jerusalem ,  the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, the Arts Students League in New York,  and the St. Martin’s School of Art in London.  

Check out David’s Series of Hamsas and Menorahs.

Click here to view this wonderful video about Israel.

Watch this  YouTube, I think you’ll enjoy it.

Here’s a nice recipe for those of us that want an alternative to the overused Passover potato.

CAJUN CARROT FRIES

 8 to 10 large carrots, peeled and cut into thin slices, like “fries”

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1⁄4 tsp. cayenne pepper

salt and black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 200º. Grease and/or line a large cookie sheet. Toss the sliced carrots with olive oil, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Arrange the fries in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, then flip the fries over and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp.

Serve warm – Yummy!

“Passover affirms the great truth that liberty is the inalienable right of every human being.”   Morris Joseph

Chag Sameach!

Danny brings to all his work a dedication to perfection, which is attested to by his careful attention to details of design, color and execution. His creativity expresses itself in all the lovely objects which blossom from his Jerusalem studio. All reflect deeply traditional aspects of the rich Jewish experience.

Melanie has been designing custom ketubot for quite a while.  She just released three new papercut ketubot and we’re carrying them all.  The Terrace ketubah, elegantly features pomegranates and grapevines, this design is cut from two layers of paper.  The Lilac ketubah  reflects the joy of a couple’s love and the beauty of a wedding.  The design features lilac and cosmos flowers. The border text, derived from the wedding blessings, translates: “joy and gladness, mirth, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony, peace and companionship.  The Forest ketubah features the peacefulness of nature in the forest with trees,birds, squirrels, and deer.

Melanie’s papercut ketubot reflect the joy of the bride and the groom! All are created within the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Ketubah texts and colored backing sheets are giclee prints. The beauty of the papercut can be enhanced by your choice of color backing and/or ink.

Melanie Dankowicz’s designs unite traditional Jewish motifs with contemporary themes. Her compositions include intricate papercut sculptures, ketubot, and framed art, as well as metalcut pieces such as trivets and seder plates. She joins the flow of line with the depth of space, creating a complex work of striking detail. Her designs are often integrated with Jewish text, bringing out the beauty of Hebrew letters and the essence of their message.

Tu B’Shevat marks the beginning of spring in Israel. Sustaining rains are at the peak of their power and the world responds, brimming with buds of fragrant life.

The holiday can be celebrated by planting trees, eating fruits, and having a Tu B’Shevat Seder, a ritual that began with the kabalistic masters of the 15th century.

Diane has a BA in Studio Art from Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts. She received her MA in Art and Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York City. When she’s not painting, she often work as an artist in residence for schools, museums and hospitals.

Designer and metalsmith Aimee Golant has created an elegant Tree of Life necklace from 14K gold with ruby, amethyst and sapphire, to symbolize the cycle of life and as a metaphor for the Torah. Some of the branches and leaves are reminiscent of the Hebrew letter Shin (the 21st letter in the Hebrew alphabet), another symbol for the source of life. As a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and a sixth-generation metal artist, she creates Judaica to preserve, illuminate and share “the Universal within Judaism.” Also available in sterling silver and as a custom piece with specific chain length and using personal heirlooms or birthstones.