INTRODUCTION:

Clay is one of our oldest physical metaphors for creation, vulnerability, and history. This resource offers a few different suggestions for Jewish-inspired activities you can mix-and-match to create a program that works for your community. 

THINGS TO MAKE:

• Jewish ritual objects: hand-built mezuzot, menorahs, candle holders, cups for handwashing or kiddush  
• Mini golems 
• Animal Figurines 
• DIY Judean pillar figurines 
• Anything else your heart desires! 

THINGS TO LEARN:

• Begin your studio time with this clay meditation using Jewish text and music 
• Read Erica Brown’s retelling of a Talmudic story about beauty and ugliness (Taanit 7a). Then discuss the following reflection questions: 
  • In a culture hyper-focused on external aesthetics and curation (Instagram, physical appearance), how do we cultivate our “inner vessel”?  
  • Why does raw, unrefined clay sometimes hold more spiritual utility than gold? 
  • What lessons could this story offer us as artists?  
• Read about the Jewish engagement ritual of plate-breaking. Then discuss the following questions: 
  • Why do you think Jewish tradition encourages us to include destruction in a ritual that’s primarily joyful? What does this say about how we should enter major life commitments? 
  • Would you include this ceremony at your engagement party? 
  • What is a choice or commitment you’ve made that felt like “breaking the plate” — a beautiful, permanent threshold you can never walk back through? 
• Read or listen to the story of the Golem. Then discuss the following questions: 
  • The Golem was created out of a desperate need for protection, but its creators quickly lost control of it. Have you ever experienced this kind of thing, where your creation/choice started to feel out of control? 
  • In modern English slang, “golem” can mean a stupid and clumsy person, a blockhead, or an automaton. Do these meanings reflect the original story? 
  • Do you see the golem story as happy or sad? Hopeful or tragic?  
• Learn about ancient Judean pillar figurines then discuss the following questions: 
  • Are you surprised to learn about these figurines? What do you think they represented? 
  • Why do you think that these figurines were banned by Torah? 
  • What abstract concept do you want to “cradle” or bring abundance to in your modern home (e.g., rest, mental health, hospitality, boundaries)? 
• Learn about animal symbolism in Judaism and then create your own animal figurines inspired by ancient Israelite animal figurines 
• Archaeologists found Iron Age cooking pots in Judah with a simple “X” incised on the handle. This likely represented the Paleo-Hebrew letter Tav, standing for Terumah (a dedicated offering for the Temple). Print out copies of Paleo-Hebrew compared to other alphabetic symbols. After creating their pottery, have participants use a toothpick to carve a single letter or symbol onto their vessel’s handle or base to add a modern intention for its use.