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The Art Nouveau Peacock: Symbolism and Design Revealed
While working on my Art Nouveau peacock papercut inspired by the Song of Solomon, part of an ongoing series, I began wondering why peacocks appear so frequently in work from this period. The bird shows up in everything from Tiffany glass to Mucha posters, Lalique jewelry, as well as textiles and wallpaper designs. Art…
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Jewish Birth Amulet Traditions Explained
Kimpetbrivls and Kame’ot: Papercut Protection In the past, Jewish women gave birth with the help of midwives and female relatives, without pain relief or modern medicine. In many homes, a protective amulet hung nearby—on a wall or near a window or doorway. Among Ashkenazim (Jews of Central and Eastern European descent), these birthing amulets…
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Jewish Art in the Diaspora: Reflections on Identity, Adaptation, and Expression
The Politics of Jewish Artistic Identity I’ve honestly questioned “what is Jewish art?” too much today and have gotten little else done. Time to toss them back to the universe for others to ponder. This isn’t about being Zionist or Anti-Zionist. It’s simply about art identified as Jewish. It’s me, trying to work out…
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The Legend of the Golem of Prague
What if a creature made of clay could rise up to protect the oppressed?What if it still lay in wait, hidden in an attic, ready to awaken when needed? The legend of the Golem of Prague is one of the most enduring tales in Jewish folklore—an ancient Hasidic myth that still shapes modern pop…
