Rimonim Love

This challah cover is for Shabbat and potentially, Rosh Hashanah. Its cotton fabric featuring my original design on the front features rimonim and torah breastplates. Reflecting on sustainability worldwide, I also used Asian-inspired fabric, appliqued African heart-motifs, vintage lace and former Russian-empire, specifically Lithuanian, traditional symbols of grain. This symbol repeats in the coordinating bread-tray, referencing my own, and a preponderance of Jews, Eastern European ancestors’ reverence for grain/bread [and nourishing food in general]. However, at the same time, the use of Asian and African elements is important in conveying the inclusiveness I feel is so critical to my sense of Judaism. The challah cover is subtly ornamented with shiny beads and bits in blue and gold, to add some nice reflection potential for the ceremonial lit candles of either Shabbat or an annual holiday.Further, a gratefulness for the earth’s gifts is also intrinsic to Jewish beliefs – appreciating the fruits of the land, and in so doing, respecting the planet both by sharing or giving what it provides, and by consciously avoiding waste. In addition to “celebrating” Judaica’s beauty, acknowledging our farmlands’ value, and conveying diversity, I use biodegradable and recyclable materials for this piece. This challah cover and tray function as a reusable bread-bag and platter, substituting for environmentally-destructive plastic – giving the land “a break” from pollution … “shmita” in a sense.