Judaica | Amy Reichert Judaica

Sukkah

Admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 01:59:07 +0000

This sukkah departs from the typical post and beam construction and instead is made up of interlocking panels. This “house of cards” reflects the fragile condition we find ourselves in when we dwell in the sukkah.

At night, it acts as a lantern in the landscape, with light penetrating the perforated wood panels. During the day, dappled sunlight plays on the interior. The perforations are in the form of the four species associated with the holiday: citron, willow, palm, and myrtle.

The panels can be put together in any order to reflect the local conditions.

Marine-grade plywood panels, cedar beams
8’w x 10’l x 9’ h

Torah OrnamentsHoly Blossom Temple

Admin — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 08:24:52 +0000

While the biblical source of the Torah shield describes the 12 tribes of Israel as precious stones, this shield depicts the Jewish people as 12 budding branches. This reflects the values of the temple, whose name refers to the beautiful Talmudic image of scholars as blossoms.

Rather than dangling awkwardly as the Torah is paraded around the synagogue, the yad here is integrated into the shield. The user of the yad, the Torah reader, stands for each member of the community, so the place for the yad is within the blossoming trees of the shield. Prior to reading, the yad is “plucked” from among the trees, and fits comfortably within the reader’s hand.

Sterling silver, 13″ h x 12″ w
Commissioned for the 150th anniversary of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto

Torah Crowns:Holy Blossom Temple

Admin — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 16:14:20 +0000

Traditionally, torah crowns (rimmonim) parallel the alternating bells and pomegranates on the hem of Aaron’s priestly robe. The motif of the hollow bell and the bursting pomegranate can be seen to represent two states of mind, one of selflessness and one of confidence, that are necessary when approaching the Divine.

These rimmonim express this empty-full relationship. The interior of the left one is hung with silver bells, the right with pomegranate seeds of polished and etched crystals. The free hanging of these two make slightly different sounds, reminding us of the two states of consciousness experienced by Aaron as he entered the holy of holies.

Sterling silver + Czech crystal beads, 10”h x 4” dia
Commissioned for the 150th anniversary of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto

Ner Tamid:Minyan Ma’at

Admin — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 16:24:22 +0000

This eternal lamp is inspired by the idea of light representing the divine presence–perceptible, yet unknowable in form and origin. Here, the light source is hidden within the branches; one sees only reflections on the hammered brass column. The lamp speaks to our condition of experiencing divine light only through its reflection in our own world.

The olive branches forming the outside screen of the lamp recall the Biblical source of oil for the lamp. When hanging in front of the ark, the branches also remind us of the image of the Torah as a “tree of life.”

Polished and oil rubbed brass, 12” h x 12”w x 6” d
Commissioned by Minyan Ma’at Congregation, NY

Ner Tamid: Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Admin — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 16:50:36 +0000

This Eternal Light in a multi-purpose educational space is meant to evoke the wonder and mystery of God’s presence. The overlays of bronze, copper and gold mesh provide changing views of the sparkling lights inside, which twinkle with the movement of the opening and closing of ark doors below.

Metal mesh, LED lights, 19″ h x 8″w x 6″ d
Commissioned for Congregation Rodeph Sholom, New York City, NY

Bimah Candelabra: Central Synagogue

Admin — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 16:31:12 +0000

Some commentators on the Torah assign the meaning of lighting two Shabbat candles to the double charge of “shamor v’zachor”, to keep and to remember the Sabbath.

The set of candlesticks expresses this double aspect of candlelighting that brings on the Sabbath, through the use of two metals, silver for the nighttime (moonlight) and gold for the daytime (sunlight). The two materials interlock in a geometric pattern that echoes the Moorish motifs found throughout the synagogue interior. The pattern itself forms multiple Magen David stars within a hexagonal grid. The pattern is offset in two directions, so constantly changes based on your point of view.

Silver and gold leaf

Commissioned to honor synagogue president

Ner Tamid: Beth El Atereth Israel

Admin — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 16:23:25 +0000

This eternal light was commissioned for a newly-renovated sanctuary in a Modern Orthodox synagogue. The design of the lamp provides direct and reflected light, sparkling through the golden brass ribbons. A single light source provides ever-changing effects as you move around the fixture. Symbolically, the light recalls a cloud form, echoing the presence of the Shechinah hovering above the ark.

Commissioned by Congregation Beth El Atereth Israel, Newton, MA
Satin and polished brass
30” w x 18” h x 12” d

Institutional Mezzuzot

Admin — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 16:25:11 +0000

We have designed and produced mezzuzot for synagogues and other Jewish institutions that reflect the materials and aesthetic of the surrounding interiors. Several of these projects have included the option for donor recognition.

Entry Mezzuzah: Maltz Museum Commissioned for the opening of the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, this mezzuzah echoes the unfurled Torah scroll design of the museum’s logo. The stainless steel mesh material glows in the light reflected off the Jerusalem stone of the building.

Stainless steel mesh + frosted plexiglass, 4″w x 9″h
Commissioned by the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Cleveland

Park Avenue Synagogue Mezzuzah

Turner City Mezzuzah

Suite of Mezzuzot for Northwestern University Hillel