Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot) 1:14: He [Hillel] would also say: If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? I made this to always remind me of … Continue reading“Ethics of the fathers: Hillel would say…” papercut
The last week accumulated a quick succession of important events to remember: the 70 year anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy – the definitive beginning of the end of the Nazi horror -, the birthdays of my father-in-law and of a very good friend … Continue readingThe week of Beha’alotecha
I got inspired by the press pass for the 2nd Zionist Congress, Basle, Switzerland, from 28 to 31 August 1898 to create this Home Blessing. The Home Blessing (Devarim / Deuteronomy 28:6): You shall be blessed when you come, and you shall be blessed when … Continue readingHome Blessing Zionist Star of David
Finished two more home blessing papercuts. Two versions of the blessing sheltered by a tree with my most favourite fruit: Pomegranates (in Jiddish: Milgroym). The Home Blessing (Devarim / Deuteronomy 28:6): You shall be blessed when you come, and you shall be blessed when you … Continue readingHome Blessing with Pomegranates
Here is another home blessing papercut. I got inspired by Zeev Raban´s work. He was a leading member of the Bezalel school, the art movement established in Jerusalem in the early 20th century. The school portrayed both Biblical and Zionist themes. It´s artistic approach combined Judendstil … Continue readingHome Blessing, inspired by Zeev Raban
Following my first papercut depicting the home blessing from Devarim / Deuteronomy 28:6, I created this one in an Art Nouveau style featuring thistle and clover plant motifs. The Home Blessing: You shall be blessed when you come, and you shall be blessed when you … Continue readingHome Blessing – Art Nouveau
It is a beautiful custom to bless the children on the evening of Shabbat (Friday night). It’s a moment filled with love and meaning and it creates a special bound between parents and children. It is really one of the highlights of the week. I … Continue readingBlessing for Daughters – Birkat HaBanot
This is one of my first papercuts, inspired by two inscriptions from my home area and Berlin, where we lived up to recently. The central theme is the blessing from Deuteronomy 28.6: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה בְּבֹאֶךָ וּבָרוּךְ אַתָּה בְּצֵאתֶךָ Translations: “You shall be blessed when you … Continue readingPapercut “Home blessing”
When I came across Joseph and Yehudit Shadur’s book Traditional Jewish Papercuts: An Inner World of Art and Symbol, I became fascinated and hooked by this traditional form of Jewish folk art. Especially the traditional papercuts from Central and Eastern Europe stroke a chord. They … Continue readingJewish Papercuts