Moditional Parochet in Bergenfield, NJ

When Dr. R. approached me regarding a new paroches for his shul, I knew I was in for a fascinating challenge.

"The community's taste is more modern, while the Rabbi's taste is much more traditional."

That one sentence led to a 5-month journey of discovery, drilling to the core of the shul's essence.

The design had to portray a classic Jewish theme:
Esh Sh'chora Al Gabei Esh Levana.
The fire of Torah bursting forth from the Torah itself.
Hashem giving Torah to the Jews, and the Jews giving back their learning, tefilla, mitzvos.
Reciprocity of Hashem and the Jewish nation, giving and taking.

Very deep.

But how to convey this idea in a... um... "moditional" way?

Here's how.

Thinking about the design:

Curating the fabrics and threads to be used for this magnificently meaningful parochet. Note the shul's carpet, wood and upholstery samples among my fabric suggestions. That's the way to do it when everything has to be perfect. :)

Here are some of the designs along the way.

The final design.

Now we are up to the Swarovski Crystals. Here are the instructions on how to sew them on and where.

Here are some nice pictures of my talented seamstress working hard on the Swarovski project! Wow, it's a big job!

And then, receiving this thank you letter:

“ INSANE, how beautiful this is !!!!  I am writing this before shabbos, before the entire shul fills up  but I wanted to take a minute and thank you for such an amazing job !!! The paroches lights up the entire room. Such a focal point without being over the top. It adds such a pop of color to the room. The crystals aren’t too much to be gaudy, the contrast of the wood / gray/ brown as echoed through the shul is spot on. Everything is the right size, width, and length. The message of the Torah and Aish is clear. Such an appreciation of the balance of content and space and the richness of the fabric. I can go on and on, it came out so nice. You and your team should be so proud of yourselves.  I hope you can appreciate that over 500  people will be inspired by this beautiful paroches throughout the year. Thank you! 

                 Would have been even more perfect  if this was not this week but in two weeks as this would have been the parsha  but apropos none the less!!    

וְכָל־אִשָּׁ֥ה חַכְמַת־לֵ֖ב בְּיָדֶ֣יהָ טָו֑וּ וַיָּבִ֣יאוּ מַטְוֶ֗ה אֶֽת־הַתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ וְאֶת־הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן אֶת־תֹּולַ֥עַת הַשָּׁנִ֖י וְאֶת־הַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃וְכָל־הַ֨נָּשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָשָׂ֥א לִבָּ֛ן אֹתָ֖נָה בְּחָכְמָ֑ה טָו֖וּ אֶת־הָעִזִּֽים

Thank you “