22 | AUGUST 3 • 2023
R
abbi Bentzi Geisinsky
of Chabad of
Bingham Farms
noted the unique timing on
the Jewish calendar when he
welcomed the community
gathered for the grand open-
ing and ribbon cutting of the
summer pop-up Franklin
Judaic Art Studio in Franklin.
The opening of Franklin
Judaic Art Studio fell during
the three-week mourning
period referred to as the
Three Weeks that takes place
annually between the 17th of
Tammuz and the Ninth of Av,
the saddest day of the Jewish
year. Rabbi Bentzi illuminated
that in Jewish custom, “When
we observe mourning … we
focus on the future.”
He continued, “As Jews, we
are implored to not just do
mitzvot, but rather to beautify
mitzvot.”
At the Franklin Judaic Art
Studio, guests can do exactly
that. Guests can create beau-
tiful one-of-a-kind Judaic art
and ritual items to incorpo-
rate into their Jewish practice.
Whether decorating a chal-
lah cover, a tzedakah box or
mezuzah, visitors can pour
their love and intention into
beautiful keepsakes and gifts
to bring home and incorpo-
rate into Jewish life and ritual.
As part of the daily morn-
ing prayers, Jewish people
recite, “This is my G-d, and I
will make Him a habitation,
the G-d of my father, and
I will ascribe to Him exal-
tation.” (Exodus 15:2) “The
word habitation has also been
translated by the sages as ‘I
will beautify Him,’” Rabbi
Bentzi explains. “This is the
source for the concept of
doing a mitzvah in the most
beautiful way possible.”
The resident visual artist
and art teacher of Franklin
OUR COMMUNITY
Beautiful
Mitzvot
Guests are invited to create
Guests are invited to create
one-of-a-kind Judaica at
one-of-a-kind Judaica at
Franklin Judaic Art Studio.
Franklin Judaic Art Studio.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
YEVGENIYA GAZMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Michael Seltzer and
Rabbi Geisinsky cut
the ribbon on the
Franklin Judaic Art
Studio.