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Dec

2

Review and Giveaway – 500 Judaica

50 Comments 

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500 Judaica book cover artHappy Hanukkah! Being from the Southern Bible belt, I’m unfamiliar with the specifics of rituals of the Jewish faith. I’ve never been to a synagogue; I’ve only seen glimpses of Jewish ritual in movies, in the theater, on TV, and in books. Indeed, I learned about Mezuzot in the play Fiddler on the Roof. Reviewing Lark Books 500 Judaica Innovative Contemporary Ritual Art expanded my knowledge of the many pieces used to celebrate the faith. The brief glossary explains many of the pieces, their purpose, and their associated holy days. This book is both enlightening and filled with beauty, much like the pieces shown within it.

“Hiddur mitzvah” is the principle of adding a beautiful aesthetic dimension to fulfillment of the commandments. Just as we use jewelry to adorn ourselves, these contemporary artists use their skill, artistry, and variety of mediums to bring magnificence to the objects used to fulfill their faith. No matter what religion you follow, the beauty of these objects is sure to touch you. Many of the materials used in this ritual art are also used for jewelry – precious metal and stones, polished details, intricate patterns. The ornate meets the functional to meld into objects that radiate with purpose and splendor.

As with all the 500 series from Lark Books, 500 Judaica is an exceptional book for the variety of pieces shown and for its quality and value. Immerse yourself in the beauty of this book from the whimsical assemblage of found items in Liz Mamorsky’s works to the machine precision and polish of Abrasha’s work. No matter your choice of medium, you’ll find examples here to inspire – beading, fiber, wood, ceramic, glass, and metal.

Leave a comment for your chance to win this visual feast that will celebrate your Jewish faith or help you learn more as I did. The giveaway will end December 16 at midnight CST. Good luck, dear Readers!

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Comments

50 Comments so far

  1. Tzipporah on December 2, 2010 1:22 pm

    Awesome, a Jewish giveaway! Please count me in, I’m always looking for ideas for my own judaica. tzipporahfeiga(at)gmail(dot)com

  2. Maria on December 2, 2010 5:36 pm

    What a lovely book! I would really enjoy having this as my partner is Jewish and I am learning about the faith (and learning to decorate for it).

  3. Mara on December 3, 2010 11:45 am

    Happy Hanukkah to you too! Thanks for the chance of knowing more about this religion & its iconography and for the opportunity of taking inspiration for our personal art. I’d really love to win this book.

  4. Megan K on December 3, 2010 1:18 pm

    Wow! Sounds like a really interesting book! What a learning experience for you and myself as well. This book looks like I could be learning a whole lot more in my new journey too. I am a new convert & I am learning so much along the way. Thank you for this contest & Happy Hanukkah!

  5. Dennis Mullins on December 4, 2010 9:45 pm

    I am not Jewish but would like to learn about the art.

  6. Judith on December 5, 2010 10:43 am

    Wow! I love the menorah displayed above and I’d love to see the rest of the Judaica in 500 Judaica – Innovative Contemporary Ritual Art.

  7. Ray Ng on December 5, 2010 3:25 pm

    Would love to learn more about Jewish traditions.

  8. sophiemily on December 5, 2010 4:26 pm

    What a wonderful book. This book would be a great resource for sharing our Jewish heritage with my grandchildren. Thanks for the chance to win this great collection of Judaica.

  9. Adri on December 7, 2010 2:44 pm

    Enter Me

  10. Rachel on December 9, 2010 2:46 pm

    I have always been interested in the Jewish faith and this would be perfect for me!! What a fun giveaway!

  11. Moody Mom on December 10, 2010 7:07 am

    Sign me up

  12. Catalina on December 10, 2010 9:33 am

    I’m a Christian but I am open to other religion and I would love explore and learn more about the Jewish faith

  13. GraceC on December 10, 2010 9:34 am

    Enter me :)

  14. Randi on December 11, 2010 5:58 pm

    My husband saw this gorgeous menorah and said, “Why can’t I have something that beautiful?” I said, “You can! They’re giving it away!” Crossing our fingers…

  15. Carol Denio on December 11, 2010 8:45 pm

    This sounds great! I would love to win it.

  16. Kerry on December 12, 2010 2:41 pm

    I would love this beautiful book!

  17. Denise on December 13, 2010 7:21 am

    I discover more and more how the Christian and Jewish faiths are interconnected, and I could only hope this book would allow me to learn more. ;-)

  18. Lynn Hooder on December 13, 2010 9:38 pm

    Every book has something to capture my interest.It should be awesome.

  19. Natalie Barnes on December 14, 2010 12:21 pm

    I would LOVE to add this book to my Judaica library! Please pick me!!!

  20. Shannon Baas on December 14, 2010 8:29 pm

    I have a friend who this would be great for.

  21. Lindsay on December 14, 2010 8:49 pm

    What a beautiful book! Please enter me !

  22. anna t. on December 15, 2010 8:51 am

    I do wish to learn more about the Hebrew faith.

  23. Aline on December 15, 2010 5:18 pm

    Love crafts and artwork made for the purpose of religious observance. This book probably has some beautiful examples

  24. Ed Nemmers on December 15, 2010 5:28 pm

    Cool book! I love the cover of this work!

  25. Rachel Higgs on December 15, 2010 7:10 pm

    This is so beautiful. My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter
    crazyred61 at yahoo dot com

  26. Richard T. on December 15, 2010 8:59 pm

    Several of my friends are Jewish and I think this might help me understand them better.

  27. anna t. on December 15, 2010 9:05 pm

    Being a Christian all my life, I would like to know more about the Jewish faith.

  28. Giveaway for 500 Judaica ends this Friday · Jewelry Making | CraftGossip.com on December 15, 2010 9:19 pm

    [...] you haven’t entered for your chance to win, what are you waiting for? Head over to the post about the giveaway and leave a comment for your chance to win! You may also [...]

  29. Dorothy on December 15, 2010 9:42 pm

    I’m one of the rare Jews here in the Bible belt. :-) I’d love this.

  30. Patty B on December 15, 2010 9:44 pm

    Beautiful picture.

  31. Rebecca Parsons on December 15, 2010 10:23 pm

    love it…i am in

  32. Colleen on December 15, 2010 11:29 pm

    I would love to win this book! I am a convert to Judaism and am always looking to read and learn more.

  33. Catrinket on December 16, 2010 1:04 am

    Oh man! That sounds like a marvelous book! The older I get, the more interested I am in traditions….

  34. Stephina on December 16, 2010 3:59 am

    What a great giveaway. THank you for the chance to win.

  35. Betsy on December 16, 2010 5:25 am

    This is great, not many Jewish posts on the interwebs.

  36. Larissa LeBovidge on December 16, 2010 5:38 am

    Looks like a great book! Happy Hanukkah!

  37. susan on December 16, 2010 5:48 am

    I finally joined a synagogue this year – it feels really good. This book looks wonderful, and I’d love to use it to make things for my home as well as for some of my new friends at the synagogue.

  38. Susan Berk on December 16, 2010 6:26 am

    Great book, thanks for offering it and please enter me.

  39. Irene L on December 16, 2010 6:57 am

    Wow. What a beautiful work of art.

  40. ninad on December 16, 2010 6:59 am

    Its a mitzvah you are doing giving this book away (it also nice to see beautiful talent)

  41. Amy :o) on December 16, 2010 7:13 am

    I love learning about my Jewish faith and I am always looking for beautiful Jewish Art. This is another one of those books that fits the bill! Beautiful!

  42. Barbra on December 16, 2010 8:22 am

    I would love to have this. Thanks.

  43. Amy on December 16, 2010 9:08 am

    This looks like a wonderful book. We celebrate many of the Jewish feasts and this would be right up our alley! Thanks for the chance to win.

  44. Diane on December 16, 2010 9:20 am

    Love the menorah on the cover! Hope I win! :)

  45. Mimi on December 16, 2010 10:11 am

    Beautiful book! Thanks for the chance to win it!!

  46. Claire on December 16, 2010 11:16 am

    This looks a great book. hope i can win. Thankyou

  47. Sandy on December 16, 2010 12:20 pm

    I love Judaica – I love homemade altars and beautiful pieces of art imbued with spirituality, magick, and positive energy.

  48. Connie Berlin on December 16, 2010 4:45 pm

    This would be wonderful for my daughter, husband and two sons!

  49. tallcapp on December 16, 2010 6:39 pm

    I would dearly love to give this to a friend of mine who is a faithful temple-goer. i know she would like this.

  50. susan smoaks on December 16, 2010 6:57 pm

    i would love to win!

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