Comforts Of Home

Jewish life and ritual find meaning within our own four walls.

ow goodly are thy tents, 0 Jacob, thy
dwellings, 0 Israel!"
(Numbers 24:5)

The Jewish home has always been the
focus of Jewish life and ritual. It is in our
homes that we light our Shabbat candles,
ushering in the Sabbath bride each week
with the glow of the flames and the sweet
taste of wine. It is around our tables that
we enjoy our Passover seders and it is the
doors to our homes that we open for the
Prophet Elijah.
It is in our yards that we build our
sukkot, recalling the fall harvest season and
our dependence on the natural world. It is
in our windows that we place our
chanukiot during the Festival of Lights,
and in our kitchens that we fry our latkes,
dripping oil on our counters as we gather
to sing "Rock of Ages" and other Chanuka
favorites.
When Jewish couples marry under the
chuppa, the wedding canopy serves as a
reminder of the importance of the home
they will build together, one filled with
love and warmth, and supported by family
and friends. In a typical Jewish home, you
can find shelves filled with books and walls

covered with art,
reflecting an
appreciation of culture
and learning. You can
find ritual objects
beautifully crafted so
that they are not only
functional, but also
Rabbi Marla J.
Feldman
fulfill the mandate of
hiddur hamitzvah — the
obligation to glorify the commandment as
we perform it.
It is upon the doorposts of our homes
that we place our mezuzot, reminding us to
love God with all our heart and soul and
strength, and to teach God's words to our
children.
The Reform prayer book offers this
prayer to be recited upon affixing a
mezuza: "Our homes have always been the
dwelling place of the Jewish spirit. Our
tables have been altars of faith and love.
`When words of Torah pass between us,
the Divine Presence is in our midst.' Our
doors have been open to the stranger and
the needy. May this home we consecrate
keep alive the beauty of our noble
heritage." So may it be in all our homes!

ART & JUDAICA

Artist

Lynne Avadenka

26116 York
Huntington Woods MI 48070
(248) 541-3132

Limited edition books and prints inspired by Judaic
themes.

Amos Dunst

17097 Sherfield Place
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 559-0852

Ketuba calligraphy and illuminations, Judaic art,
Hebrew and English calligraphy, family trees and
aishes chayil."

Birmingham Temple Art Show

28611 W. 12 Mile Road
Farmington, MI 48334
(248) 477-1410 temple number
(248) 477-1890 show information
Contact Person: Toby Kiritsis

For the 28th annual juried show, artists display
their works in painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass
and more. Public welcomed to buy one-of-a-kind
pieces. November 3-5, 2000.

Danika

4137 Hardwoods Drive
West Bloomfield, MI 48323
(248) 682-7797
Fax: (248) 682-7797
E-Mail: danikadesi@aol.com
Contact Person: Dani Katsir

Master artisan of stained glass specializing in
incredible, one-of-a-kind, Judaica. Shabbat
candlesticks, challa trays, menoras, tzedaka boxes,
dreidels, mezuzot and more.

Galleries & Framing

The Art Pad

Rabbi Marla J. Feldman is assistant director of the Jewish Community

Council and executive director of the Michigan Board of Rabbis.

2985 Orchard Lake Road
Keego Harbor, MI 48320
(248) 682-0962

JN • SOURCEBOOK 2000 • 1

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