From mezuzahs to menorahs, these outstanding Jewish ceremonial and ritual objects make a beautiful new addition to the celebrated 500 series. Contemporary in style and lovingly handcrafted, they come from North America, Europe, and Israel, and demonstrate the diversity of Judaism. The artworks include tzedakah boxes, shofars, tallits, Shabbat candlesticks, havdalah sets, Kiddush cups, Torah pointers, kippahs, Seder plates, and dreidels.
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“A beautiful book.” - The Jewish Daily Forward
“Exemplary photographs of 500 contemporary ceremonial art and ritual objects.” - Jewish Book World
“Captures a diverse range of exquisite traditional and contemporary Judaica objects from leading artists and craftspeople mostly in the U.S. and Israel, who dedicate their talents in objects made for the home, the synagogue, weddings, holidays, and celebrations.” - Jewish in St. Louis
“500 Judaica illustrates [the] concept of beautifying a mitzvah. The book features the work of more than 180 makers of Judaica. Media and disciplines include metalwork, woodwork, ceramics, and needle arts.” - Intermountain Jewish News (cover story)
“This thick new volume's point is basically celebratory. It's filled with just what the title says - 500 intriguing items reproduced in sharp, splendid colors.” - The Jewish Exponent (Philadelphia)
“Many of the works in Ray Hemachandra's new book 500 Judaica: Innovative Contemporary Ritual Art, which were curated by Daniel Belasco, Henry J. Leir assistant curator at The Jewish Museum in New York, are not the sorts of pieces you would expect to find in a Jewish book store or Judaica shop in Brooklyn. ... Some of the most interesting works in the collection are so fascinating precisely because they are non-functional.” - The Jewish Press
“(A) handsomely produced volume … the art speaks for itself. This book will be a welcome addition to Judaica art libraries and contemporary art museum gift shops.” - Library Journal
“The art that fills the pages of 500 Judaica is not only eye-catching, it is rooted in ongoing meaning and faith” - AmericanStyle
“This volume is stunning, and will be of interest to those of - or interested in - the Jewish faith and traditions, but also artists and anyone who appreciates meaningful art.” - Handmade Spark
“500 Judaica is an exceptional book for the variety of pieces shown and for its quality and value. Immerse yourself in the beauty of this book from the whimsical assemblage of found items in Liz Mamorsky's works to the machine precision and polish of Abrasha's work. No matter your choice of medium, you'll find examples here to inspire - beading, fiber, wood, ceramic, glass, and metal. This book is both enlightening and filled with beauty, much like the pieces shown within it.” - Craft Gossip
“This beautiful softcover book features a diverse collection of handmade Jewish ritual art pieces which reflect a wide range of materials, object types, and techniques. If you are interested in contemporary Judaica, this book is a must-have!” - The Lone Beader
“Magnificent … exquisitely photographed, supremely enthralling … worthwhile to purchase as a gift, to mark an occasion, or for the collector of wonderful art books. As a chronicle of faith, shown through contemporary Judaic art form, it manages to be specific to the religion it is addressing, and as well also to the profound passion that all religion engenders in humanity. The photos are incredibly varied and each one is completely worthy to be showcased in this amazing book. I am honored to have this remarkable volume in my library. ” - Jean Yates
About the Author
Juror Daniel Belasco is Henry J. Leir Assistant Curator at The Jewish Museum in New York. He organised the exhibitions Reinventing Ritual: Contemporary Art and Design for Jewish Life (and authored its catalogue, Reinventing Ritual) and Art, Image, and Warhol Connections. Belasco has written for Art in American and ARTnews and is a former staff writer for The Jewish Week.
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More About the Author
I've worked at Lark Crafts since January 2007 and had the fantastic opportunity to work on some beautiful books authored by myself and others. I made my way to Asheville, North Carolina -- where Lark is located -- by way of New York (born and raised), D.C., Chicago, and Bellingham, Washington. I now lead Lark Crafts' Jewelry/Beading team, working with an outstanding group of committed, fun professionals who participate in and support these art -- and crafting -- communities. I also do some writing in mind/body/spirit, including interviewing authors and teachers, and I'm very active in the autism community, including advocacy. I live in Asheville with my wife and son.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtakingly Beautiful Book on Judaica from the Lark 500 series,
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This review is from: 500 Judaica: Innovative Contemporary Ritual Art (500 Series) (Paperback)
While reading the frontispiece of 500 Judaica, Innovative Contemporary Ritual Art, I found a clear way of understanding what this magnificent book is all about.
For one thing, the pieces within this soft cover volume are "more than purely artistic". They are meant to be used in the practice of Jewish ritual. To quote and also paraphrase the frontispiece: "If there is one thing these works have in common," writes juror Daniel Belasco, "it is the ongoing faith that creativity and ritual go hand in hand ... to keep Judaism a living and ever-evolving tradition." The book is split into three sections: Craft (essentially contemporary Judaica combined with folk style), Modernist ( this sort has an affinity for the use of metal, and places an emphasis on essential forms in the piece), and post Modernist, which reflects the increased awareness of the artist to include social content to expand the references of Jewish ritual objects to reflect the sacred to everyday life. These three sections are further explained in David Belasco's excellent, concise foreword. 500 Judaica was authored by Ray Hemachandra, the Team Lead for the Jewelry & Beading team at Lark Crafts, and Daniel Belasco, who is Henry J. Lehr Assistant Curator at the Jewish Museum in New York City. Additionally, there is a helpful glossary included defining the basic ritual objects. Now that I have explained the basis of this remarkable book to the reader, I feel compelled to remark upon my reaction to this beautiful testimonial to faith and to creativity combined. I was moved so strongly that there were times I felt like crying while viewing the wonderful ritual art pieces.On a smaller scale, it could be construed as similar to the uplifting feeling I get when I see a glorious building which has been created to honor an important religious concept. When humanity strives to put into concrete form the spiritual drive which most of us keep our hearts open to, the results are more than just artistic. They are brilliantly and intensely reaching out to our passion to understand and honor that which we perceive as greater than we are. This exquisitely photographed, supremely enthralling book, 500 Judaica, offers many reasons to draw the reader to it. It is incredibly worthwhile to purchase as a gift, to mark an occasion, or for the collector of wonderful art books. As a chronicle of faith, shown through contemporary Judaic art form, it manages to be specific to the religion it is addressing, and as well also to the profound passion which all religion engenders in humanity. The photos are incredibly varied and each one is completely worthy to be showcased in this amazing book. A part of the Lark 500 series, it is an extraordinary distillation of modern offerings from of one of the very first monotheistic religions(one which is over 3000 years old). This covenant of religious beliefs and traditional practices is now expressed in the 500 contemporary art pieces in 500 Judaica. The word Judaica, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is "literary or historical materials relating to Jews or Judaism", and yet there is so much more to this book. Instead of narrowing the view of this specific religion and and the celebration of it through art and Judaic art pieces, the book shares with everyone who reads it the powerful feelings which inspire artists when they are creating work derived from spiritual concepts. I would like to address the cover of the book as an example of what the reader will find to appreciate within 500 Judaica. The cover depicts a contemporary Menorah, used at Hanukkah. Hanukkah is the eight day Festival of Lights commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE. In Wikipedia, on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, I found this:"From the Hebrew word for "dedication" or "consecration", Hanukkah marks the rededication of the Temple after its desecration by the forces of the King of Syria and commemorates the "miracle of the container of oil". According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. There is a ninth branch for a so-called "helper" candle, called the Shamash. I felt the power of the photo on the cover drive its way right into my heart. The Festival of Lights is represented by the colors of silver and blue. This beautiful, inspiring Menorah is silver and blue and has a soaring sense of energy and glory finely suited to its function. The bottom, which is the blue part, looks like a Shofar to me, A Shofar is a horn (usually a ram's horn) used in Jewish religious services. All in all, I consider this an exquisite and moving piece of modern ritual art. Please consider this extraordinary book for your own collection, or to commemorate an important occasion such as a Bar Mitzvah or a Bas Mitzvah. It is appropriate for Jewish weddings, or for a bris, or for any sort of time when Jewish people gather to celebrate their traditions. It would make a fine gift for a "thinking" art lover and collector, who is might be a part of any sort of religion whether Jewish or not. I know. I am Catholic. I am honored to have this remarkable volume in my library. --jean
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding photographic collection of Judaica,
This review is from: 500 Judaica: Innovative Contemporary Ritual Art (500 Series) (Paperback)
Judaica is meant to be useful: ritual art as part of ceremony, as part of the home, as well as an expression of devotion to G-d. The five hundred photographs displayed in this beautiful, passionate book capture a diverse range of exquisite traditional and contemporary Judaica objects from leading artists and craftspeople, who dedicate their talents in objects made for the home, the synagogue, weddings, holidays, and celebrations. I still have the inexpensive menorah my family used when I was a child, as well as a silver Tree of Life menorah I purchased as an adult. I light both with my son. The emotion that wells up in me even as I type that is similar to the emotion you'll feel turning the pages of this book, seeing the beautiful artwork, and reading some quotes from the artists about their art, their families, and G-d. 500 Judaica is a very special keepsake that art collectors and families--both Jewish and non-Jewish--will treasure.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful,
By
This review is from: 500 Judaica: Innovative Contemporary Ritual Art (500 Series) (Paperback)
The great thing about this book is in showcasing some amazing artists who are able to look at the old in a whole new way. The craftspeople manage to take the ancient and make it look like something the world has never seen before. The artists take glass, ceramic, silver, and other materials and turn them into something that would beautifully grace any home.
If you can't afford the original renditions of things old made new in this book, you can at least buy this well produced and lovingly illustrated volume. It belongs in any home, Jewish or not, which appreciates the thought and skill which went into creating each item. This book would look great on the coffee table. It will look even better as you flip through the pages. I will one day have a copy for the Vilnius Jewish Library here in Lithuania.
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