Synagogue Art

Chana Cromer, a Bezalel art school graduate, is a creator of Synagogue art made from textiles. She has created many beautiful parochets, torah covers and other religious articles for the synagoge which can be seen in synagogues in Jerusalem and around the world.

Chana currently teaches at Bar Ilan University in the Department of Jewish Art. Her art studio is located in Moshav Aminadav.

Chana's synagogue art has been exhibited in many locations, the most recent being “Covering Uncovering: Textiles in the Story of Joseph”, at the Rabinovitz Art Gallery located at Yale University in New Haven Connecticut.

“Peace in Your Midst” Parochet (Torah Curtain)

Materials: This parochet is painted in fiber reactive dyes on lurex silk in yellows, oranges, reds, purples, and turquoise, cut and appliquéd onto gold colored Thai silk backing using multiple colored threads.

The parochet is used by Kehilat Yedidya, Jerusalem.

"The Burning Bush" Parochet

Explantion:
The inscription above the bbush motif on the parochet reads: "And behld the bush burned in fire and the bush was not consumed". The inscription below the bush motif says "And he came to the mountain of G-d, Horeb, and he saw the angel of G-d on it, in the flame from the midst of the bush".

Materials Used: Silk screen, metallic pigments, painting, fiber-reactive dyes, silk, velvet, applique, satin lining.

The parochet is used by Chabbad of Lauderhills, Florida.

“Halleluyah” Parochet

Materials Used: Fiber reactive dyes painted, silk screened in metallic pigments on lurex silk, metallic pigments painted on organza and hand stitched onto the silk background of blues, turquoise, and purple

This parochet is used by Kehilat Kol HaNeshama in Jersusalem.

"Leaves" Parochet

This parochet is used by Kehilat Sinai in Tel Aviv.

Song of the Grasses Wallhanging

Materials Used: Painting, silkscreen, metallic pigments, hand applique, silk, velvet, antique trims.

This wallhanging can be seen at the Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale University.

"Tree of Life" Torah Mantle

Materials Used: Silk screen, metallic pigments, painting, sponging, velvet, satin lining.

This Torah mantle is used by Yeshivat Ma'aleh Adumim in Israel.

"Pillar of a Cloud" Chuppah (Wedding Canopy)

Techniques and materials: Painted, appliqued, pieced, velvet, satin, brocade, silk, metallic pigments. Two layers of fabric - inside and outside inside of blue velvet outside of dotted swiss on dark blue velvet. As the Pillar of Cloud was a symbol of Gd's protection of the Israelites so it should be a symbol of protection and blessing for the new couple that is to join the families of Israel.

The text painted above clouds: And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and a shiining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain.

The word “chuppah” in Hebrew is translated as “defense”. “Succah” is “tabernacle” and is described as a shadow, a refuge from heat and from storm.

According to a Midrash each succah of each family of the Israelites in the desert had their own cloud protection them. As the bride and groom stand under the protection of this chupah, this motif of pillar of cloud, they are wished the same protection and blessing in their union.

All of the Parochet designs can also be made into Torah mantles and bima cloths.

If you are interested in commissioning a work of art for your synagogue, please contact us by clicking here: contact us