SilkQuilt

A New Torah Mantle

When our granddaughters had their B’Not Mitzvah this past September, I was introduced to the Torah that was very likely used when my father had his Bar Mitzvah. What better honor for me than to collaborate with my cousin, Keshira HaLev to give the Torah a new mantle! Cousin Sandy’s tuxedo, shirts, hankies, and tiesContinue reading “A New Torah Mantle”

Finding The Unknown

I know very little about my grandfather, Sam. There was only one picture of him that used to sit at the table near my Nana’s chair in our home. He was the first of his family to come to Pittsburgh. He opened a bar in Harwick, Pennsylvania. He sponsored his younger brother, Jake, a sisterContinue reading “Finding The Unknown”

2019 Memory Quilt

Remnant Nicole Miller Pittsburgh Tie Steve’s graffiti watch shorts Favorite SilkDenim deconstructed pockets Nana Sadye’s kaftan Tie-dye t-shirts J Jill knit shirt with satin trim Alex’s tablecloth chuppah remnant Sandy’s Bubbe’s tufted cover SilkDenim shirt and light denim remnants Blue Fish Shirt Ronda’s Hemp suits Dana’s printshop bag Steve’s India bag Special Olympics golf shirtContinue reading “2019 Memory Quilt”

Calm Amongst The Storm

When there’s much shifting through me, it helps to look to outside sources to help me make sense of myself. One such viewpoint came by way of a podcast by Tara Brach on gratitude. What an apt view for this holiday season- suggestions on how to awaken our natural capacities for gratitude and generosity thoughContinue reading “Calm Amongst The Storm”

Digging Deep and Staying Low

My goodness it is still hard to talk politics- the win seems so precarious- until things are totaling in motion including the vaccine. Meanwhile, I continue to find the only way to be in the muck is to stitch, stitch, stitch. I had a couple of nice honors: an article in the PG, the purchaseContinue reading “Digging Deep and Staying Low”

A Couple of Recommendations

I spend the majority of my time listening to podcasts while stitching. The pod cast that brings me the most joy these days is The Promised Podcast by Noah Efron. It gives me, as an American Jew, the clearest perspective on Jewish Israeli life. I can’t say enough about the quality. Noah is honest, thorough,Continue reading “A Couple of Recommendations”

Angel of God

When the pandemic started, I thought of it as a time to dig deep and create. Now, on my fourth major project, it seems a little ridiculous, but really, its all I’ve got given the craziness of life today. For this project I am going all out- something that will bring everything together for me.Continue reading “Angel of God”

B’Not Mitzvah In The Time of Coronavirus

It’s hard to rank all of the sad and debilitating experiences during this pandemic, except for the one that is at the very top of my list: my plan to organize and host Steve’s and my granddaughters for their B’Not Mitzvah. It had been in the planning for well over three years. We were soContinue reading “B’Not Mitzvah In The Time of Coronavirus”

TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE: Changing The Way We DO CHANGE

From Killing Rage: Ending Rage by Bell Hooks: Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies the shape who we are and how we live in the world. Rev. angel Kyodo Williams is a social visionary applying inner awarenessContinue reading “TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE: Changing The Way We DO CHANGE”

The End Of A Generation

My Uncle Jason lived a long fruitful life, celebrating his 99th birthday in February. He died last week on the Summer Solstice. He was a Shapiro through and through, blessed with that singular soul shining through with 110% chesed, that clear over abundance of lovingkindness. Jason was the youngest of three brothers. My father wasContinue reading “The End Of A Generation”