20th Annual Judaica Craft Show Comes to White Plains November 16-17

A dazzling array of Judaic crafts and jewelry will be shown and sold at the annual Bet Am Shalom Synagogue Judaica Craft Show, now celebrating its 20th year. The show begins on Saturday, November 16, at 8 p.m. and continues on Sunday, November 17, 10:00 a.m.-–5:30 p.m.

The juried show features hundreds of unique works in all price ranges, created by 50 artists – nearly half from Israel, the rest from the U.S. and Canada; they include many well-loved favorites along with a dozen entirely new to the show. Featured are one-of-a-kind items representing the finest in handcrafted Judaica ritual items and stunning jewelry, in original designs ranging from the contemporary to the traditional. Visitors will also discover beautiful objects in ceramic, silver, fabric, wood, paper and other media, created for ritual, decorative and practical use in the home and synagogue. A sampling of the work can be seen at betamshalom.org/judaica_craft_show.

The artists, who will be present to talk with visitors about their work, were selected from a large pool of applicants by a jury of Judaica art curators. Local artists exhibiting include Rachel Heisler Sheinfeld and Diane Cherr, both of Scarsdale.

Ann Schaffer, show chairperson, said, "Jewish tradition encourages us to create, beautify and celebrate all aspects of Jewish ritual and practice. It is a joy to see how the show's artists creatively imbue even functional objects with meaning, in work that is always fresh and original."

She added, "Many Judaica collectors visit the show year after year to keep current with new developments in the field, because this is the only juried show of its kind and caliber in the Northeast."

Funds from the show support the artists and Bet Am Shalom Synagogue and its vibrant role in the Westchester Jewish and wider community. Approximately 200 volunteers help with the logistics of this annual event.

Admission to the Judaica Craft Show is $8 per person (Sunday re-entry free if paid Saturday night), or $7 with an invitation card or online voucher.

Bet Am Shalom Synagogue is located at 295 Soundview Avenue in White Plains. For additional information and directions please call 914-946-8851 Mon.-Fri. or visit www.betamshalom.org.

(Photo at Right) Sail Candlesticks, by Amy Reichert, Chicago, IL (satin nickel silver and mahogany)

(Photo at Top) Tree of Life pendant, by Idit Jewelry, Israel (18 karat yellow gold and 0.10 karat diamonds)