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. 

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