The Development of Judaism-Needlepoint Tapestry

Dedicated October 17,1975

The Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El of Westfield decided to prepare a gift for their Temple by making use of their members who were actively engaged in the craft of Needlepoint.  With the consultation of Edith Andersen Feisner, The Development of Judaism was created.  Mrs. Feisner taught the women the proper stitches and assisted in the preparation of the tricky sections. 

There are 31 panels that represent the traditions of Judaism.

The Torah: Chosen to be the center because it is the core of Judaism.  Crafted by Edith Feisner and Bette Weil

The Holidays: This panel uses the Flame Stitch to represent to suffering for the defense of Judaism thru the Ages. Blue represents the flag of Israel

                  Rosh Hassanah: This panel in honor of the Jewish New Year features the Creation of the World with Waves for Tashlich or casting sins into the water.  The lettering “L’Shanah tovah ti-katevu” means let you be inscribed for a good year.  The new moon is symbolized by a circle and its lettering.  There is an apple and a honeycomb and a shofar.   Crafted by Lil Breitbarth

                  Yom Kippur: In honor of the Day of Atonement there is a Shofar, Scales for Justice, a book (symbolic of the Book of Life), a Tzedakah box, a Quill Pen and a Seal (representing inscription in the Book of Life). Crafted by Arlene Simon

                  Passover: In honor of the Liberation of the People of Israel from Egypt there are four wine goblets, A large Elijah’s Cup, Matzah, door post and lintels smeared with the blood of the first-born.  There are also representations of the items found on a Seder plate, a roasted egg, haroset, bitter herbs, parsley and a shank bone.  Crafted by Bonnie Forgash

                  Shavuot: for the feast of first fruits there is a honeycomb (for the land of milk and honey), fruits such as grapes, figs, pomegranates, grape and fig leaves, wheat, barley, olives and dates.  Crafted by Kiki Kass

                  Sukkot: For the festival of booths there are wheels, a Sukkah and branches, palm fronds, willow and myrtle, etrog and a table for eating in the field.  Crafted by Doris Rothman

                  Festivals: For Chanukkah, Simcat Torah, Purim, and Lag B’Omer there are bows and arrows, Megillah, rope, flag, Chanukkiah and candles and a Dreidel. Crafted by Muriel Malkin

Ceremonies of Jewish Life: Uses a stitch that symbolizes the universal history of Judaism. 

                  Shabbat: In honor of the Holy day of rest there are three stars, a Kiddush cup, Challah and Challah cover, Shabbat Candles, B’Samin or Spice box and Havdalah candle.  The Lettering says, “Blessed are You O Lord our God who creates the fruit of the Vine”. Crafted by Bette Weill

                  Synagogue: In representation of the spiritual Home of the Jew there is a Yad and Bimah, Ner Tamid, Torah Cover, Crown and Breastplate. Crafted by Lorraine Gershenfeld

                  Circumcision: Coins, a chair, a wine goblet and a knife are depicted along with the words “Blessed is he who enters” to represent the covenant between God and Israel. Crafted by Joyce Tischler

                  Bar or Bat Mitzvah: The ceremony where a child reaches religious maturity is represented by Hands (for the laying on of hands), Yarmulka, Tallit, Tefillin, a Torah scroll (which denotes both the Torah and Haftarah) and the Blessing of the Shehecheyanu prayer. Crafted by Bea Reiss

                  Marriage: To signify the joining of a couple in wedlock there are trees, broken glass, Mezzuzah, a Chuppah and Ring. Crafted by Gladys Wilson

                  Death: The traditions associated with death and comforting the mourner are depicted by Low Stools, Eggs, Yahrtzheit candle, Ribbon and Lettering of the first words of the Kaddish “Magnified and Sanctified”. Crafted by Roberta Brown

History of Judaism uses a stich that symbolizes the importance of middle Europe and its history of Judaism. Red is used for the suffering of Jews throughout the ages.

The Covenant and the Patriarchs: In representation of the entrance into Canaan there are grapes and a staff.

Abraham: The Father of Judaism is illustrated by Bindings (as used in the sacrifice of Issac), Wood, Brambles and Leaves, Altar Stones, and a Ram’s horn. Crafted by Lorraine Gershenfeld and Phyllis Rachbach.

Issac: A Camel, Pitcher, Well and Tent represent our second patriarch. Crafted by June Fliegler and Dorothy Ehrlich

Jacob: The twelve rocks here represent the twelve tribes. Agate, Emerald, Onyx, Amethyst, Carnelian, Jasper, Topaz, Smaragd, Beryl, Sapphire, Carbuncle, Jacinth. Crafted by Grace Gutman and Susan Marx

Exodus: Pyramids symbolize the enslavement of the Israelites.

Burning Bush. By Roberta Semer

Plagues. By Susan Kreitzer and Edna Siegel

Parting of the Waves. By Enid Rosenbaum and Susan Shusman

Sinai and the Torah Covenant

The Tablets. By Rona Kramer

Broken Tablets and Golden Calf. By Beverly Paskow

The Ark. By Helene Heller

Prophets, Peace and the Messianic Age

                  Peace. By Trudy Heller

                  Lion and The Lamb. By Roberta Harris

                  Western Wall. By Pearl Berger

The Holocaust

                  Masada. By Eileen Nathanson

                  Sh’Ma. By Susan Erich

                  Jewish Badge. By Edith Goldstein

The State of Israel

                  Lines and Star. By Cynthia Hollander

                  Seal. By Cynthia Hollander

Immigration

                  Cactus. By Bette Weill and Penny Abrams

                  Boat. By Bette Weill and Penny Abrams

Agriculture

                  Shovel. By Marlene Bodner