32 | OCTOBER 6 • 2022 

into a second bedroom, 
eventually needing to take 
over the basement space as 
a full-fledged etrog-making 
workshop.
Finding a process that 
worked didn’t come without 
challenges, however. After 
spending more than 100 
hours on a batch of etrogs, 
for example, the Kornbleuths 
realized that the fruits had 
developed mold. “It was 
very upsetting to see, and we 
had to learn why this batch 
was different than the batch 
before,” Eric explains. “We 
found out it had to do with 
temperature and the amount 
of moisture that was in the 
air.”
To solve the issue, the 
Kornbleuths now store 
etrogs on their basement 
floor, which provides a cool 
foundation that keeps heat 
away from the fruits. “It’s 
an etrog silo,” Eric laughs. 

“They’re laid out in every 
available room.”

A SUSTAINABLE 
PROCESS
In addition to their beautiful 
and unique look, etrog 
jewelry and tallit clips offer 
a completely sustainable 
accessory that lets no part of 
the etrog fruit go to waste. 
 “We save every single part,” 
Kornbleuth says. “We even 
save the seeds. Everything 
is useful to fix up a broken 
pendant. In some cases, we 

can change it and switch out 
the seeds.”
They also only purchase 
etrogs deemed not kosher for 
use on Sukkot, which offers 
relief for the small etrog 
farming market and prevents 
products from going to the 
landfill.
Yet, despite working with 
etrogs on a regular basis 
since beginning the project 
in 2020, the Kornbleuths 
continue to learn new facts 
about the ancient, biblical 
fruit that leave them amazed. 

“What we found to be very 
fascinating is that behind 
every single seed of an etrog 
is a ruby red layer,” Eric says. 
Found three layers into the 
fruit, the ruby red interior 
can completely change up the 
look of the etrog, making it a 
piece of art.
“Most people don’t know 
that there’s this crazy ruby 
red inside the etrog,” he adds.
Currently, the Kornbleuths 
sell and take orders for 
etrog accessories through 
their Facebook page, www.
facebook.com/Esrog-Simcha-
Pendants-111579831428180. 
They can also be 
reached through 
shalomchaidesign18@
gmail.com. Eventually, the 
Kornbleuths plan to develop 
a website and sell their 
family-made etrog products 
through small business 
platforms like Etsy.
Still, while etrogs are 
stunning and unusual, it’s 
their ancient, timeless feel 
that makes them so special 
to the Jewish community and 
beyond.
“The etrog is one of the 
only items mentioned in the 
Old Testament that can be 
mass-produced,” Eric says. 
“Technological advances have 
now made that possible.” 

SUKKOT
ON THE COVER

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