Workshops in this series inject new and exciting energy into ancient traditions and mitzvot. Abstract and old rituals are infused with meaning and purpose.
Torah Unwrapped
• About: Thousands of years before it found its way to a printing press, the handwritten Torah scroll was at the heart of Judaism. It can still be found, in its same form, as the focal point of any Jewish center around the globe. Participants will immerse themselves in the history of written expression and experience the magic of taking something seemingly unusable and transforming it into an enduring object of teaching and inspiration.
• Hands-on activities include making make ink from scratch, using an ancient scribe’s recipe and organic ingredients ground in a mortar and pestle. They will fashion their own quill, and use the ink and quill to write Hebrew notes on parchment.
• The new 35-foot screen and lighting rig adds a great dimension to the program, brings the workshop to life, and enhances the overall experience!
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The Art of Writing demonstrates how the written word can go hand-in-hand with the recycling process. In a fast-paced, digital age where the handwritten note- turned keepsake has become increasingly rare, this workshop seeks to transform our throw-away attitudes into ones that value reuse, and appreciate authentic communication and the power of the written word.
This presentation takes your group on a journey through history as they investigate the origins of the written word and how our ability to use symbols to communicate our thoughts has developed over time - from rocks to reeds and from parchment to paper. Participants will develop an early appreciation for the printing press and digitization, achievements that have transformed our ability to learn from one another in ways that our ancestors could never have imagined.
This captivating workshop will also help participants discover how writing can be done in a way that respects the environment. Recycling was exercised in many ancient civilizations and Jewish culture has long celebrated the concept of restoring and reusing. The Torah scroll is written on a material that might otherwise be discarded. By sanding down animal hides that are stretched out on a scribe’s stretching frame, children discover the process of turning a rough hide into soft, velvety parchment.
Participants will make ink from scratch, using an ancient scribe’s recipe and organic ingredients ground in a mortar and pestle. They will fashion their own quill, and use the ink and quill to write heartfelt notes on parchment. As your group learn to appreciate the significance of the Torah scroll in Jewish culture, they will also come to view the written word in an entirely new light.
The Havdalah Workshop
• About: Havdalah, the multisensory ceremony, plays a central role in Jewish culture and tradition. This workshop zones into the secrets behind each of the important components of the service and concludes with a candle-making experience.
• Hands-on activities include dipping long wicks into hot beeswax. The process is repeated multiple times until the wick forms a thick candle. After the wax hardens, the candles are braided into a beautiful and functional Havdalah candle! The light of the Havdalah candle is reflected in the eyes of the participants as this popular ritual comes to life.
• The new 35-foot screen and lighting rig adds a great dimension to the program, brings the workshop to life, and enhances the overall experience!
The Mezuzah Workshop
• About: The Mezuzah workshop provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into what's involved in the production of the ancient and traditional scroll. Following an explanation of the inscription inside the Mezuzah and what it means for the people inside the home, the audience learns fascinating facts and gets the opportunity to examine the parchment up, close, and personal.
• Hands-on: Using special tools, participants engrave their custom design and/or name into a copper coil which is later inserted into a brass case. The art involves an 8-step process and the end result is beautiful!
• The new 35-foot screen and lighting rig adds a great dimension to the program, brings the workshop to life, and enhances the overall experience!