depictions of Jerusalem are
steady, popular sellers,
Rachel says. Matzah and
challah covers to stitch are
available as well.
"If you don't see it, ask,"
says Rachel Einstandig. "We
can design anything."
•Linda Berlin, owner of Ac-
cents in Needlepoint, has
numerous tallit bags
available. Many are silk-
screened; some are hand-
painted. Door signs with
"Chai" or "Shalom," or "Hap-
py Chanukah" greetings also
are transferred onto canvas
for stitchers.
"We get a lot of requests for
children's names. One design
shows the child's Hebrew
name in five-inch high letters.
It can also be done in
English," says Ms. Berlin.
Perhaps the creme de la
creme of mezuzot is a Lalique
crystal available at Jules
Schubot Jewellers in Troy.
Crafted of Lalique's signature
frosted glass, this design
sports two Lions of Judah.
Yaacov Agam designed the
four-piece Lovestar Collection
produced by fine watch-
makers Movado. The set con-
tains a pocket watch, a strap
watch, a bracelet and a clock.
If you're seeking that one-
stop Chanukah shopping
locale, just about any subject
of Judaica can be found at
Spitzers Hebrew Book and
Gift Center in Southfield.
Hostess gifts like the lucite
Nosh Box, witty oven mitts,
children's craft items,
stickers, books and games are
just a small sampling. A wide
selection of Jewish calendars
— both the desktop and hang-
ing variety are for sale.
For the budding young
musician, the Jewish Songs:
Play a Tune Book is an enter-
taining learning aid.
Speaking of music, Detroit
born concert pianist David
Syme continues to entertain
listening audiences with his
performances. New to his
published repertoire is Pum-
ping Ivory, a 50-minute single
cassette.
David calls his two-cassette
set, Play It Again, Syme "the
grandmother of all tapes! Peo-
ple listen to this in their cars
to de-stress," he quips.
Wherever you relax with it,
cherished classics like "McAr-
•• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Custom-name necklaces,
bracelets or wedding rings
with Hebrew names or in-
scriptions are popular for
gift giving.
•• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
thur's Park," "Unchained
Melody" and "Send in the
Clowns" are special when in-
terpreted by David Syme.
Likewise, David Syme
Plays Gershwin will please
people who revere Rhapsody
in Blue, Concerto in F and
other classics. The CD or
video, available at all Har-
mony House stores, is a recor-
ding of one of Mr. Syme's con-
certs in Mexico City.
Pumping Ivory and Play it
Again, Syme can be purchas-
ed at Harmony House outlets
as well as Sam's Jams stores
in Ferndale and Livonia.
Temple Israel Sisterhood
has given careful attention
not just to Chanukah, but all
celebrations in Jewish life in
stocking their gift shop.
Traditional items like
talleisim and challah and
matzah covers are, of course,
available; but so are in-
genious hostess gifts like a
kugel server or silverplated
table brush.
They have a generous selec-
tion of holiday cookbooks as
well as holiday storybooks.
The now classic bar and bat
mitzvah dolls are joined by a
wedding bear. Glass animals,
perfume bottles and the cup
used in a Jewish marriage
ceremony are for sale — the
latter in its own satin pouch.
Chairpersons Linda Feld-
man, Irene Light and Harriet
Trager expect their Doodle
Top to be a hit this year. The
dreidel-shaped object has
several pens fashioned into
the bottom, and makes a
clever offering to the ex-
ecutive who has everything —
including too many phone
calls.
Alicia Nelson's Southfield
business, Traditions! Tradi-
tions!, has a large selection of
gift items, including 53 dif-
ferent menorot. They are
crafted of every medium im-
aginable, including metals,
ceramics, stained glass and
cast aluminum.
Because Mrs. Nelson works
closely with about 35 dif-
ferent artists as well as
weavers and calligraphers,
original custom designs are
always possible.
Clocks with Hebrew sym-
bols, seder plates, Havdalah
sets and other symbolic pieces
may be presented for gifts to
a Jewish home.
"We have some lovely items
for babies," says Mrs. Nelson,
"including blankets with the
child's name either woven in-
to or appliqued on the fabric
in Hebrew and/or English.
They can be designed with
Chanukah or other holiday
symbols, too."
She also offers toy trucks
with Hebrew and English
personalizations. Four dif-
ferent types of Chanukah
candles, including the very
popular multicolored hand-
dipped ones, also are for
sale. ❑
All these Judaica gifts
featured in photos
are from
Traditions! Traditions!
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS