Art Notes from our Synagogue

Most of the mezzuzot for the doors throughout the new building came from Israel; some are particularly special because they are “homegrown.”

Designer and Shomrei Torah member, Linda Weiss, was specifically asked to make the unique, hand-wrought mezzuzah for the entrance door of our new sanctuary, which she then donated to the congregation.

Since 1996, Linda has taught jewelry in the Art Department at Santa Rosa Junior College. She holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and a BFA from the University of Washington, Seattle. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.

For our mezzuzah, Linda, a professional silversmith, used sterling silver and 18k yellow gold. She employed several techniques: forming (with traditional silversmith techniques and tools), forging, inlay, fusing, decorative hammered surface embellishment, fabrication and appliqué.

Here is how Linda describes the piece:

“I chose to have the motif of the mezzuzah come from the heart rather than a literal reproduction or representation of any specific item or theme, as is most commonly found in traditional mezzuzot. I think that is fitting for Shomrei Torah because although we, as a congregation, embrace tradition, we also embrace an openminded, universally inclusive philosophy. A significant portion of inspiration also came from my feelings for my faith [and] my synagogue and [my desire to honor] Rabbi George in our new home. The design was conceived as an abstract interpretation of the gestural movement in the new CST logo—an unfurling scroll/Torah. The Hebrew letter shin is a “given” to mark the doorpost of a sanctuary, and is pierced from sheet 18k gold. The subtle inlaid 18-karat gold elements and hammered texture are purely compositional and decorative.”