The first installment of the Judaism and the Arts series invited participants to explore both the meaning and the beauty of one of Judaism’s most familiar symbols: the mezuzah. Attendees first learned about the history, symbolism, and spiritual significance of the mezuzah through an interactive class with Rabbi Ari Oliszewsky of Temple Emanuel. They then crafted their own through the art of glass fusing.
At the Chrysler Glass Studio, participants designed colorful, one-of-a-kind mezuzot, blending creativity with Jewish tradition. Each piece became a personal expression of Jewish identity and the home reminding its maker that, as the Torah teaches, Jews are called to “write these words upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.”
The hands-on workshops demonstrated the purpose of the Judaism and the Arts series: connecting Jewish learning with artistic experience in ways that inspire deeper Jewish connection and pride. Future sessions in the series will be announced soon, with plans to learn about and create a mizrach, Havdalah set, and tallit or tallit bag.
Learn more or register for a Judaism in the Arts class, or one of the courses or events offered through the Konikoff Center for Learning of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, at JewishVA.org/KCL or contact Sierra Lautman at SLautman@ujft.org.
