38 | APRIL 18 • 2024
Shira Keret’s Ceremonials’
En-Gedi Kiddush Cup:
Similar in concept to the
Porcelain Kiddush Cup, this
one is handmade of sterling
silver, gold plate and
patinated silver. When the
cup is separated from the base, hidden Hebrew
text reading “Borei Pri Hagafen” is revealed on
the base. The text was designed by a master
calligrapher, representing a modern interpretation
of the ancient Hebrew script used in period scrolls
and letters unearthed in the Judaean desert area.
Israeli Art Now
In response to the
terrorist attacks in
Israel on Oct. 7, Israeli
sculptor Zemer Peled
rallied other Israeli
artists to create Israeli
Art Now, an online
community for artists,
makers, collectors and
art enthusiasts with a
mission of “building
support for artists in
Israel and, in particular,
those who survived the
horrors of that day.”
The website gathers
artists and artisans of
all media, including
ceramics, glass, painting,
photography, graphics
and more, with a section
calling out survivors of
Oct. 7, and introduces
visitors, leading them
to each artist’s own
website and social
media for purchases.
Among the many
artists featured on the
website, we’ve included
the Judaica works
of three: Shira Keret,
Jamie Shear and Lev
Shneiderman, an Oct.
7 survivor. To explore
additional artists, visit
Israeliartnow.org.
PHOTOS BY DANIEL SHECTER
PHOTO BY DANIEL SHECTER
Shira
Keret, a Tel Aviv-
based product designer,
graduated from Bezalel’s indus-
trial design department. That edu-
cation combines with Keret’s dive into
her Jewish roots through design to result
in what she calls her Ceremonials collection,
linking Jewish history, folklore (“polklor,” as she
calls it) and heritage with modern design to cre-
ate “meaningful Judaica heirlooms that will last
for generations.” In a word: Exquisite.
Read more about the inspiration of these
designs found in the Cave of Letters in Nahal
Hever at the Judean Desert at her website
(ceremonials.co); purchase her work
at her Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/
CeremonialsJudaica; learn more
at Israeliartnow.org.
BY AYA WIND
BY AYA WIND
Ceremonials Porcelain Kiddush Cup in
silver, gray and lavender with a gold-
plated interior: “The deconstruction of
the cup into two distinct units gestures at
the ceremony itself, in which the kiddush
cup passes from hand to hand, only to
return to the ceremony leader once the
circle is complete,” Keret says.
PASSOVER continued from page 36
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