Gary Rosenthal's Hiddur Mitzvah Center

I know this blog has been quiet lately, but that doesn't mean we've been doing nothing here.  In addition to the studio gearing up for wedding season - we've created a really cool new shards holder - this past month has also seen the launch of Gary's new Hiddur Mitzvah Center.  The Hiddur Mitzvah Center is the Jewish component that grew out of the Arts Incubator, making use of our gallery and facility with that operation.

Saturday May 7th was a lively arts Havdalah service with Rabbi David Shneyer followed by music, art, and conversation.  The art on the walls provided a great backdrop and those there really enjoyed themselves as Gary and others danced their way around the room.

Sunday May 8th began with an open house class activity.  Parents and students from Am Kolel in Beallsville went through the process of creating a sculpture out of raw material from start to finish, ending with custom piece of their own.  This is an activity that we hope to have regularly scheduled through the Hiddur Mitzvah Center.  If you are interested, give us a call at 301-493-5577 to plan out an activity.

That afternoon was the art gallery opening for group show featuring Katherine Janus Kahn, Ronny Tabeka, and Gary.  The day ended with Mother's Day Alternative Program - "Keep the light alive." Generations creating their own family heirloom Shabbat candlesticks together.

Sunday May 15th We hosted an Artisites Guild for Judaic Art group show.

For lots more photos check out our facebook page and keep an eye out for an article in the next issue of Washington Jewish Week!

Special Passover Items

With Passover coming up, we've dug deep into the back shelves and storage and searched through the designers' shelves.  We've come up with a selection of unique Passover items.  Some are Gary Rosenthal antiques that had been long forgotten, others were never put into production.  Whether they were discontinued to make room for new items or deemed to expensive or unique to put into production, these items are all special.  If you're looking for something really cool for this Passover, you're sure to find something here.  Some of the old items have a few minor imperfections and are sold as is, but you won't find any junk here!  Older Seder Plates that originally had glass cups will be sent with copper cups unless otherwise pictured as we no longer have glass cups.

 There are limited quantities of all these items and most of them are one of a kind, so get what you like before it's gone!

Wholesale accounts click here       Retail customers click here

New Matzah Seder Plate

Just in time for Passover, introducing a Seder Plate unlike anything you have ever seen before!  Made entirely out of matzah, not only does it look great, it is made from renewable resources!  Using vegetable based glues and ink, this plate is also completely edible, allowing it to be a fully integrated part of your Passover.  If this new piece is successful - and how could it not be - we plan to develop an entire line of edible Judaica.  Let us know your thoughts!

 Click the image for a large view.

Temple Emanuel Event

Sunday, March 13, 2011, we had about 25 people from Temple Emanuel right up the road come in as part of a sisterhood fundraiser. Each participant wrote out a check for $25 to be donated to Sharsheret in support of young Jewish women with breast cancer. In return, Gary showed them around the new Art Incubator gallery and the studio where they had the opportunity to create Hiddur Mitzvah or Glass Ribbon items and purchase anything off the shelves for a matched $25 discount. It was a wonderful time for everyone involved!

More Photos

Hiddur Mitzvah Article in The New Standard

The New Standard, in central Ohio, just published a really nice front page article about Gary and the Hiddur Mitzvah Project that's worth a read:

“After the Holocaust some people were
afraid to show Judaica. My mission was
to create beautiful Jewish art. I wanted to
make beautiful bright color mezuzahs. I
wanted Judaic art objects that people could
display year round. I always tried to mix
function with the aesthetics of the form,”

 Read the whole thing here.