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.

