Convention Stitchers Practice Spiritual Act

About 75 enthusiasts attended the Pomegranate Guild of Jewish Needlework national convention at the Le Méridien Atlanta Perimeter in Dunwoody from May 21 to 23.

Hosted by the Peach State Stitchers, the convention featured a keynote address by Congregation Or Hadash Rabbi Analia Bortz. Convention co-chairs Susan Big and Barbara Rucket received enthusiastic reviews of the exciting and educational experience.

Local artist Flora Rosefsky, to set the mood for a workshop she led on “Jewish Inspired Design: Your Vision, Your Voice,” read the following statement, based on an essay by Lisa Rauchwerger about art and spirituality at the American Guild of Judaic Art’s website, supplemented by comments from Emory University Middle East studies professor Carrie Rosefsky Wickham and Rosefsky herself:

“Creating Jewish art is a spiritual act. It reminds us of our roots and our ties to our tradition and our people in a way that few things can. Just as Jewish music fills our souls, creating Jewish art fulfills our need for making art with meaning. As Felix Mendelsohn once wrote, ‘Art can rise above mere handicrafts only by being devoted to the expression of a lofty thought.’ Let us free up our creative spirit that resides within each of us to generate our own personal and unique mirror of the beauty and transcendence of G-d’s creation. It’s your vision and your voice.”

Delegates asked for some of the Atlanta workshops to be repeated at the next Pomegranate Guild convention in Calgary, Alberta, in 2019.

Photos courtesy of the Peach State Stitchers

: The convention registration table includes a sample centerpiece and copies of the Atlanta Jewish Times for the delegates. More about the Atlanta chapter is available by emailing peachstatestitch@aol.com or visiting www.peachstatestitchers.org.

: Pillows created by Peach State Stitchers for a convention challenge reflect the theme of “We Have a Dream for Peace.”

: Adrienne Kuperberg from New Jersey, the Pomegranate Guild’s president-elect, holds the pillow she created for the “We Have a Dream for Peace” convention challenge. Kuperberg taught classes on 3D paper cutting, Jewish holiday seasons using fusing techniques and an introduction to needle weaving.

: Peach State Stitchers volunteering at the convention registration table are (from left) Brenda Bookman, Linda Moore, Pamela Rishfeld and Roberta Gross.