Almost Artifacts.

I found a new Polymer Clay Artist!!!! I love how old they feel despite being made with a modern material. Serious bravo!!!

The sound of one hand...

From Ruth Tarragano, an organic appearing polymer clay hamsa with the Shema.

Sweet gifts.

Last year, Shay Aron prepared these apple magnets and this adorable hamsa for New Year gifts. I want to be Shay's friend.

Iowa Animals need their own' Noah's ark...

HSUS Deploys Animal Rescue Team to Assist in Iowa Floods
The Humane Society of the United States has deployed a team of trained specialists to offer logistical support and supplies, and perform water rescue of animals displaced by the floods. Mass flooding across Iowa has forced thousands of residents from their homes and more evacuations are probable as the rain continues.

"We are on the ground now to help with any animal needs, but it is important for residents to remember that the best way for you and your pet to survive a disaster is to be prepared,” advised Scotlund Haisley, HSUS senior director of emergency services. "If you are asked to evacuate, it is crucial that you take your pet along. Pet owners should have an emergency pet supply kit and a plan that includes the safety of their animals."

The HSUS is coordinating efforts with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

This emergency supply kit should include:

Three-or-more-day supply of food in airtight, waterproof container, and drinking water.
Bowls for food and water.
Current photos and physical description of your pets, including details on markings.
Medications, vaccination records and first aid pet supplies.
Comfort items such as a toy and blanket.
Small garbage bags.
For dogs include: leash, harness and a sturdy carrier large enough to use as a sleeping area.
For cats include: litter, litter box and a sturdy carrier large enough for transport.
If officials call for an evacuation, pet owners should be aware that many evacuation shelters do not accept pets, and they must plan their destination in advance. Hotels and motels may be willing to lift "no pet" restriction in an emergency. Friends and family members living outside the area may be able to provide shelter too. (Please check with your local animal shelter or emergency management office to determine if a pet friendly emergency shelter will be set up in your location.)

More than 358 million pets reside in 63 percent of American households. A Zogby International poll found that 61 percent of pet owners will not evacuate if they cannot bring their pets with them.

For more tips on preparedness plans that include your pets, visit humanesociety.org/prepare.





DONATION: "Friends of the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter " 6301 Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406


I know NOTHING about the artist who used polymer clay and a gourd to created this Noah's ark sculpture.

Polymer Clay Art blooms in Israel

For those of you who regularly read my blog, you know that I have a strong affinity to all things Polymer Clay. I was tickled to find that the art world specifically, The Israeli Museum of Creative Arts also recognizes this medium and is sponsoring an exhibit of some of the Holy Land's finest PCers. One more reason to hop on a plane... I am unsure of the artists' names of these particular works... perhaps one of my Israeli readers can help! And as I prayed... the answers are in the comments from my dear Naama Zamir.

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Sameach!

Enjoy the pink!

Yesterday I changed the blog layout (like it?) and changed it to pink for the breast cancer post... now I can't get it to more neutural colors. So rejoice in it. And take a moment to rejoice in Sigaliot's PINK HAMSA. Sigaliot is an Israeli Polymer Clay artist. This is her story in her own words:


"Since I was a little girl, I love art & color.
My notebooks at school, were always decorated with my scribbles and sketching's.
At school the art, paint and drawing lessons was my fave and I always did great in them.
After my army service (yes, in Israel every one give two or three years), I started to learn building architecture.
Those years where full of joy and satisfaction, for the first time I understood my real abilities and I did wonderful!
Finely, art is not just a hobby, its a career.
Soon after that short career I had my first son, at the same time I rediscovered “fimo” polymer clay at one of the Israeli art forum I participate back then.
I had an immediate click with the material, I saw the possibilities way before I knew how to make the most simple cane
I hooked by this wonderful material.
So many colors, so many techniques, I didn't know where to start.
Well, I start by exploring the material, lots' and lots of hours of trail and error,
that's how my little business born and start to breathe.
Since then, 5 years went trough and we (the polymer clay and I) have a love story♥
Now I want to share my art with the rest of the world, bring for every one of you a piece of Israeli love with shape and color.
I love my art, I love making it and I hope that you will love an appreciate it too."

MONGO GROGGER and Purim Shpiel

For your viewing pleasure, I am pleased to present my dear cyberfriend Kathi's huge polymer clay covered grogger... IT is 18" long and she promises me that it is LOUD.


You can find everything on the internet... even Purim Shpiels. Rabbi Richard Agler and Cantor Stephanie Shore of Congregation B'nai Israel were kind enough to share their shpiels with the cyber world...

Narrator #1: This year’s Purim Schpiel takes place in Shushan Shell City, where we find the characters from Spongebob Squarepants. King Ahashveros is Neptune. Vashti is the old lady. Mordechai is Spongebob Squarepants.

Narrator #2: Esther is Mindy. Haman is Plankton.

Narrator#1: King Neptune Ahashversos is hosting a grand party. All the guests are dancing the hora and having a wonderful time.

Narrator #2: Let's all go now to Shell City and join in the celebration.

Pageboy: Attention, attention.

Patrick: King Neptune Ahashversos has an important announcement to make.

Squidward: Please lend us your ears.

King Neptune: Soon my queen shall arrive and dance for all of my guests. (clap, clap)

Guards send orders to the Queen that we await her presence.

(Guards exit and go to the queen)

Pageboy: Queen Vashti, King Neptune is ready for you to appear. You must come now.

Vashti Old Lady: I will not appear at his party, I will not dance the hora for his guests. Tell him no!

Queen's Lady: But your highness, you must obey the King's wishes.

Patrick: But Queen, the consequences.

Vashti Old Lady: You have my answer, tell the King NO!

(Guards go to the King.)

Patrick: King, the Queen has told us she will not dance for you.

Pageboy: Yes sire, she has refused to appear.

Neptune: What, I am outraged! How dare she refuse my request. She will be dethroned for this act of disrespect. Guards bring me the Queen!

(Guards exit and bring the Queen to see the King.)

Va'era

One of the ways in which we show our devotion to G'd and Torah is through the placement of mezuzot throughout our homes. Arlene Groch recently started her own webstore featuring her beautiful mezuzot. Arlene Groch has painted, sculpted, and created jewelry for decades. During the past several years polymer clay has been her chosen medium --- and her passion --- because it is incredibly versatile as well as light-weight and durable. Individual pieces may contain Swarovsky crystals, gold filled or sterling silver wire, or other fine materials. The colors, patterns, textures and forms of jewelry and Mezuzah cases you'll see on this site were created by blending the clays to create unique colors, and/or by painting, sculpting, carving, stamping, silk-screening, texturing, curing, sanding and polishing. The design possibilities are endless, thus fostering experimentation and creativity.


In this week's parsha VA'AERA God tells Moses God's true name, Yud - Hey - Vav - Hey, saying that God had appeared to our ancestors as El Shaddai. God promises Moses that He will bring the people forth from Egypt. The people do not listen to Moses because their spirits have been downtrodden. Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh. Aaron throws down his rod and it turns into a snake. Pharaoh's magicians do the same, turning their rods into snakes, but Aaron's rod swallows their rods.

With this we begin the story of the Ten Plagues. This portion tells the story of the first seven plagues the story of the last three plagues is told next week. Moses and Aaron meet Pharaoh at the Nile River early in the morning. Aaron strikes the river with his rod and the river turns to blood. All the fish die. This plague is followed in this week's reading by frogs, lice, swarms of flies or wild animals, cattle disease, boils, and a fiery hail. Each time Pharaoh hardens his heart, and refuses to let the Israelites go.

The plagues seem to come in sets of three. The first of each three is preceded by Moses asking Pharaoh to let the people go, with a warning about what is to come. The second is done in front of Pharaoh. The third is done outside Pharaoh's presence. The plagues build up towards a climax, ending next week with the slaying of the firstborns.

For the first number of plagues, the Torah says that Pharaoh hardened his heart or the heart of Pharaoh was hardened. Only after the sixth plague does it say that God hardened Pharaoh's heart. It seems that if someone does the wrong act often enough, it becomes second nature, as if God is doing it.

Good sheep gone BAAAAAd

Sagit is yet another super-talented polymer clay artist from Israel. Today we see door a sign (complete with bell) for an Israeli family. Sagit clamis to love color... you think? Ilil Ziv may be the Israeli Mistress of Sheep (and figurines) as you can see by this adorable trio below.



Two feasts in the parsha of Vayetze sandwich Jacob's two-decade long sojourn in Aram (today called Syria). The first meal -- "Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast (Genesis 29:22)" -- was held to mark Jacob's wedding. Twenty years later, the occasion -- "Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his kinsmen to eat bread (31:54)" -- entailed Jacob's spontaneous ceremony upon his exit. To be sure, no record exists of what was on either menu besides bread, which is also used in Hebrew as a generic term for food. Nevertheless, we can safely assume that lamb, in light of its recurrent presence in the parsha, was featured on both occasions.

Sheep are practically omnipresent in Vayetze. There are white sheep and dark sheep and speckled sheep and spotted sheep and sheep as salary and even dreams about sheep (31:11-12). Jacob's first sight of Charan was "a well in the field, and lo three flocks of sheep there next to it (29:1)." (According to Ramban, "The well alludes to the Temple, and the three flocks of sheep to the three Pilgrimage Festivals.") Then his future wife arrived with more sheep, "Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she tended them (29:9)." In reverse of Eliezer's meeting with Rebecca at the well, here Jacob "watered the flock of Laban his uncle (29:10)." That uncle promised Rachel as Jacob's wife in return for seven years of shepherd duty, which proceeded with Leah being substituted for Rachel and eventually the term of work extended to twenty years. The majority of chapter 30 involves the husbandry details of Jacob's employment. At the end of the parsha after two decades of being away from his parents' home, Jacob took his own flocks and departed while "Laban was gone to shear his sheep (31:19)." In the midst of all these sheep, the Torah recounts the birth of eleven of Jacob's sons. Thus, the Jewish people literally develop amongst sheep.

Sheep, docile and easily lead, became among the very first domesticated animals. Since these ruminants thrive in dry climates and mountainous terrain, they suited mankind's early nomadic lifestyle, particularly the environs of the Middle East and Mediterranean. Even after the advent of agricultural societies, these hardy animals continued to provide an invaluable source of meat (Isaiah 53:7), milk (Deuteronomy 32:14), leather (Exodus 25:5), and wool (Hosea 2:7). Thus the Torah established that if someone stole a sheep, thereby seriously effecting the victim's livelihood, he must pay back "four sheep for a sheep (Exodus 21:37)."

The pervasiveness of sheep in this parsha reflects their essential role in the life of the Israelites throughout the biblical period. Judaism has always held sheep in special regard and this intrinsic connection with the lamb is prevalent throughout Jewish lore and liturgy. A host of biblical figures, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David, were shepherds, and the Torah is filled with related references, such as "The Lord is my shepherd (Psalms 23:1)." As an element in the Exodus story, lamb plays an important role in Passover festivities and remains a traditional main course at many Sephardic Seders. Sounding the shofar (ram's horn) serves as the central Rosh Hashanah rite. In some homes, the head of a lamb is displayed on the Rosh Hashanah table, signifying the hope that in the coming year we will be the "rosh (head) and not the tail" (the reverse of Deuteronomy 28:44) and a reminder of the ram substituted for Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:13). Torah scrolls and mezuzot are generally written on sheepskin parchment. The conclusion of this d'var from Gil Marks can be found here.

Drumroll please...

I have been encouraged by people (including my mother) to post some of my own Judaica. I finally took a halfway decent picture. Due to cooking, cleaning and other domestic activities on the ark, all the female animals were unavailable for the sitting... So here is my Noah's Ark MEN-orah...

A meaningful accident

I am frequently asked by artists "How did you find my website?" More often than not I have to confess "I do not know." Essentially I can start with a couple of search terms and a couple of "enter" clicks later I have struck gold! Those are the artists I share with you.
On occasion, one of my blogging friends or another artist will also send me a tip, asking have I seen this artist or that one. More often than not, I have seen the artist they are recommending but it is wonderful that they think of me and this blog.
My closest friend in the Blogosphere is Susan of Polymer Clay Notes. Were it not for Susan's gentle nudges, I likely would have never initiated JudaicaJournal. Susan hosts a secular blog dedicated to polymer clay and I love sending her my discoveries which are more appropriate for her blog than mine. Today, Susan and I are sharing the exposure of an Israeli polymer clay artist who was one of my accidental discoveries. Rivkah Strahi Levitz is first an interior designer. As part of her decorating she creates pieces to fufill her vision for a client's home- whether that be the mezuzah that adorn the door frame or the jar to hold honey on the breakfast table. Among her many works are some three dimensional pictures; it is these that I found most awe inspiring. So please take a gander at these at the chamsa and mezuzah and then take a cyber-walk over to Susan's site to see which of Rivkah's goodies she has chosen to share.

Lion Mezuzah- GRRRReat!

Is this not an adorable Mezuzah? It is from the flickr contributor Squashie... it would be perfect for a child's Noah's ark themed room. Squashie was inspired by a very prolific polymer clay teacher and artist Christie Friesen.

A New Star

I love finding new Judaica artists... especially ones who work in polymer clay. While perusing Etsy I found SandiLee and her beautiful Mica Mogen David. I wrote asking if I could show her piece and she said "YES." Sandi, a west coast resident, is on vacation now... probably well-deserved given she has a full time job, a family to care for and her art to pursue.

Now why don't you go over and check out her other work? Don't forget to tell her I sent you!

May we be as full of Mitzvot as the Pomegranate is Full of Seeds

Tamar Bierliech is the artist who lives in Kibbutz Snir and creates using my favorite medium- polymer clay, along with the occasional crystal. This is her very lovely pomegranate necklace.

A SECOND CHANCE

In this week's Torah portion we have a very interesting predicament. On the first anniversary of their liberation from Egyptian slavery, the Israelites are bidden to once again celebrate the Passover Seder to commemorate the freedom that they had attained. The main ritual consisted of slaughtering the Paschal sacrifice on the eve of Pesach, and eating it that night with matzah and marror (bitter herbs). The sacrifice had to be slaughtered and eaten in a state of ritual purity.

Some individuals came to Moshe (Moses) to complain that they had been fulfilling the commandment of caring for the deceased, either by carrying the coffin of Yosef (Joseph) for eventual burial in the Holy Land or by attending to the burial of an unidentified corpse (mayt mitzvah). They asked why they should be deprived of performing the commandment (mitzvah) of the Pesach sacrifice because they had been engaged in a different mitzvah which rendered them ritually defiled.

Upon inquiry to the Almighty, God tells Moshe that these individuals should indeed have the opportunity to celebrate the joy of their Pesach deliverance through the performance of the Passover Seder one month later. (Indeed, in remembrance of this fact, one month after the beginning of Passover, on the 14th day of Iyar, we commemorate Pesach Shayni, the Second Passover, by customarily eating matzah and refraining from reciting the penitential prayer in the service.)

What is significant is that these individuals were given a second chance. All too often, either because of some ritual defilement or because of our own laziness or lack of interest or even lack of knowledge, we miss the opportunity to perform a good deed or to say the right word or to offer any compliment that could enhance interpersonal relationships. Our tradition teaches us to never give up hope. If at first we do not succeed, try again! If we cannot make the first Passover, there is a second opportunity. Our faith is a positive one. Inherent in our religion is the opportunity for reconciliation and repentance and righting a wrong, or correcting a mistake, or overcoming a neglect.

Another group of people who were allowed to bring the second Passover offering were those who were too far away from the Sanctuary at the time of the proper Pesach observance. It is never too late to catch up and to try to bring ourselves nearer to the Almighty and to our fellow human beings, even if the journey seems to be a long one or if we have been detached and distant from our religion. If we but set out on the right path, we will get to the proper destination, but it must be done with a sense of faith, love and compassion. "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

With a belief in God, we can overcome adversity and go on to succeed, even if there seems to be a momentary stumbling block in our way, or if we had been on a different path. We know that God is here to help us find our way, but we have to ponder our steps carefully, and it may take time! Otherwise, we will be like the little girl who was dressed in her Shabbat best, and running as fast as she could to the synagogue so as not to be late for Junior Congregation. As she ran she prayed, "Dear God, please don't let me be late! Dear God, please don't let me be late!" As she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running once more. As she ran, she again began to pray, "Dear God, please don't let me be late...but don't shove me either!"

If not a shove, our tradition sometimes gives us a "nudge" to move in the right direction. We will eventually get there, as long as we stay on course and find fulfillment and strength in the teachings of our faith! Rabbi Doniel Kramer

I fell in love with this mezuzah this week. It is from Ruth Tarragano of Israel- mother and polymer clay artist.

Shabbat Shalom Umevorach -- a peaceful and blessed Sabbath.

What is my name?

One of my regular readers Marcia D asked how she can find her Hebrew name. Now there is not direct correlation from our English to Hebrew names. My younger son Sam's Hebrew name is Moshe Ilan (for his great grandfather and for the astronaut Ilan Ramon). My given name is Toby but my Hebrew name is Chana Michal (for my two great grandmothers). But there are those who would have given my son the name Shmuel and I would be Tova...

What ever your name is in English, I found an interesting website which picks out your name... I put in Marcia's (and Marsha to just check if it was consistent) and her Hebrew name would be גַבְרִיאֵל or Gavriela, one of the seven archangels .

These two hamsas are from Irish Mishly an Israeli polymer clay artist. They feature the artist's and a friend's names.

When the Bat Mitzvah is so much more than a big party...

Kathi G is a woman I met about a year ago as I wandered the world wide web in search of polymer clay artists (this is Kathi's Dinko Bird channukiah). I came to appreciate Kathi's talents and humor. I learned that Kathi was a Jew by Choice (JBC) and was preparing for her Bat Mitzvah. The preparation time is nearly over, and Kathi will be called to the Torah on Saturday. When I started this blog, I told her I wanted to feature her and her work (both artistic and academic) on the blog. I had just a few questions for Kathi...
Why? Because it is part of my journey that I need to take. Iconverted to Judaism 4 years ago after a long path searching for a
spiritual life that fit my soul. I studying many different spiritual
paths and when I found Judaism it was like a perfect fit. After my
trip to the Mikvah, when I was sharing my experience, Rabbi said I was
born with a jewish soul, it just took the rest of me a bit of time to
catch up. So of course, being a JBC, I didn't have the chance for a
Bat Mitzvah at age 13.

Why now? Because it is the right time. I am not sure I can really
explain why it is the right time, or how I knew, but the class, the
timing, and the days all seemed to fall in place for me to be in this
last adult B'nai Mitzvah. I truly believe G'd had this time line all
set for me. And who am I to argue with that? It is also part of my
growth. I was nominated to take part in a leadership class for our
Temple, which I completed last year. One way to lead is by example.
How could I honestly speak of personal growth in my Jewish life
without the step of a Bat Mitzvah? I also sets a good example for the
kids in their own study towards their B'nai Mitzvah. Another
reason....study. What a wonderful way to do an in depth study of parts
of the Torah, then preparing a drash on ones Torah portion. It is
amazing the things I learned and read on the internet when
researching it. I am a perpetual student, I love learning so this is
another opportunity for me to grow in my mind.

My art? Hmmmm, most of my art lately has been making canes so I have
something to reduce when I get frustrated that my brain will not hang
on to a simple Hebrew word like v'nay. While I am practicing my Torah
portion my mind pops up with designs for things for the Judaica shop
at Temple. I now have a list of things to create after the 19th. As
for the other part of my art...the caning lets my mind think about the
next few days to come, my art has grown in style and perception and
design since I started this journey. I have learned on this
journey that just to create something beautiful is good. I don't have
to sell it, I can give it and get just as much reward.

Advice for other adults? Start learning/practicing your Hebrew on a
daily basis. If you are feeling overwhelmed with it then try what
works for me. I let my mind go in caning for an hour at a time and
then take a 10 minute break and go over a couple words, a line, or a
verse from my Torah portion. Once I started doing that I found it was
so much easier then sitting for an hour trying to stuff it in my head
without feeling frustrated. Another little tidbit....enjoy the
learning, enjoy the time with your Rabbi (or whoever is teaching the
class), enjoy the time with your classmates. This is a special time in
one's life be they almost 13 or 50 plus. And be positive about it.
Rabbi told me that any derivative of can't was not allowed in my
vocabulary. period. It is a joyous journey, a hard one, one in which
they will learn more then they thought they would and in the long one,
something they can take pride in completing.

Thank you so much for the questions. They made
me think, and after writing my answers down, clarified it even more
for me *WHY* I am doing this. They also calmed the butterflies that
have started in my gut.


Thanks for your time Kathi... I will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Sing: Shavua Tov

A Yeminite song for Havdalah:

My soul longs for the candle and the spices.
If only you would pour me a cup of wine for Havdalah


O angels on high, pave a way for me,
clear the path for the bewildered [daughter of Zion]
and open the gates that I may enter
My heart yearning
I shall lift up my eyes to the Lord,
who provides for my needs day and night.

From the treasures of your goodness,
give me the minimum I need,
for your goodness has no end nor limit.
Rejuvenate my joy, my bread and my blessing,
Remove all sorrow, pain and darkness.

Now the days of activity begin once again
May they be renewed in peace and in goodness.
Amen.

Susan Fischer Weis has been creating Judaica for many years, a seder plate of hers is displayed in the Spertus Museum. Her work is whimsical but inspired. And best of all she works in polymer clay!!! Creating one-of-a-kind works of art is the most rewarding part of Susan Fischer Weis’s art career. These pieces come directly from her heart, mind and soul. They represent her truest self. The Garden of Eden Havdallah spice box makes use of fresh spices in a truly original design, evoking the peace and serenity of the Garden of Eden. To sustain us through the week, we seek a lingering reminder of Shabbat through our sense of smell.

This was a particularly wonderful week for me and the Judaica Journal. I got to begin and end the week with Polymer Clay Artists!

He made it out of clay- not gold or silver, or lazuli...

I realized it had been weeks since I featured anything made with Polymer Clay. How dare I??? Well, to make up for that, here is a very apro pos polymer clay piece made by the incredibly talented George Estreich. There has to be one very proud Jewish mother out there!


This week's parsha is P'kudei from Exodus 38:21 - 40:38 and deals with the final construction of the tabernacle.

From a fellow blogger comes this commentary: This week, we finish the book of Exodus by reading about the completion of the Mishkan. "In the first month of the second year on the first of the month the tabernacle was erected" [40:2]. Interestingly, it was exactly one year earlier that G-d said to Moses “this month shall be the head month to you. It shall be the first month of the year" [12:1]. So the year Jewish calendar starts with both the physical redemption from Egypt and the spiritual redemption obtained by building the Mishkan both happened on the same day, the first of Nisan, the first day of the Jewish year.

Following the creation of the calendar (which is the first commandment given to the Nation of Israel), we get a series of commandments relating to Passover. In all of these commandments, the timing is very important. The law is not to refrain form eating bread for a week, it to refrain from eating bread on a specific week. Doing it a week early or late is not fulfilling the commandment. It’s not only in the stock market that timing is everything!

Rabbi Kelman says “Each one of us in our personal lives can easily fall prey to doing the right thing at the wrong time. Waiting too long to apologize, spending more time at home just as the kids are starting to move out, taking on religious stringency’s before one is ready, or even davening shacharit before dawn. We must learn to sanctify time by using it appropriately. It is the pathway to redemption.”

BUTTERFLY CANE

BUTTERFLY CANE
Originally uploaded by MIRA KRISPIL - COLORS OF LIFE.

Oh look...
another butterfly cane...
this one is from Mira Krispil.

Don't forget to check out the holocaust museum's site for the butterfly program.