Sunday, September 30, 2007

Old Glass Decoration

Old Glass Decoration Star of David

During Sukkoth we visited David Goodman in Beit Shemesh and took this photo in his studio. We see here an old iron & glass decoration made from squares which form a three dimensional Star of David.

Puzzle in the Sukkah

Puzzle in the Sukkah Star of David During Sukkoth we visited

David Goodman

in Beit Shemesh and took this photo in his Sukkah. What we see here is a wooden seven parts puzzle in the shape of a Star of David.

Hungarian Zionist Box

Hungarian Zionist Box Star of David

Star of David on a Hungarian Zionist box. Caption:
Let us donate for the purpose of Holy Land and other settlements. Hungarian Jewish Association Supporting Holy Land and Other Settlements on both sides.
Hungary, around 1900. Height: 13 cm (5 in.)

Courtesy of  Mr. Abraham Madeisker from Trionfo Judaica Store, 9 Dorot Rishonim St., Jerusalem.

trionfo@netvision.net.il

97226232368


Friday, September 28, 2007

Hebron Star

Hebron Star of David

Photo of a Star of David carved above the entrance to an Arab home in the old city of Hebron is courtesy of William Frey who shot it in Summer 2005. On the basis of such evidence Jews in the settlements use to claim that they are resettling areas where Jews have lived.

Equating Stalinism And Jews

Equating Stalinism And Jews Star of David Star of David on a 1941 Nazi propaganda poster in Lithuanian language equating Stalinism and Jews
Photo is copied from Wikipedia

The Wirepuller Jew

Anti-semitism Star of David

Photo of Star of David on the belly of The Wirepuller Jew is courtesy of "ILoveMyPiccolo" who published it on Flickr. This image appears on a A pre-war Nazi poster exhibited in the Jewish Museum in Frankfurt, Germany

Tunisian Synagogue in Acre

Stars of David on Or Torah Tunisian Synagogue in Acre Picture of many Stars of David on Or Torah Tunisian Synagogue in Acre is courtesy of pictorial history collector Stephanie Comfort  who published it on Flickr. 

It was built since 1955.  
Address:
13 Kaplan Street, Acre
To arrange a visit, call 9725068220781

Iranian Cartoon The Seed of Zionism

There's an anti-Semitic Iranian YouTube TV cartoon showing a Jewish Rabbi planting a Nazi swastika, watering it and watching it grow into the Star of David. What makes the the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism (or anti-Israel) is the Rabbi, which automatically jumps the religious connotation.  

Kiddush Cup

Star of David etched on a Kiddush Cup

Photo of Star of David etched on a Kiddush Cup (front and bottom) is courtesy of "Esa Einai" who published it on Flickr and wrote to me:

We bought this about 10 years ago at a store in a mall in Buckhead Georgia USA (a suburb of Atlanta Georgia). It is Waterford Crystal. We were shopping for a wedding present for my mom's cousin. We bought her a nice vase and we bought this for our family. It has Borei Pri Hagafen etched in Hebrew; a gold rim. We don't use this very often. Mostly we use my great-grandfather’s little silver Kiddush cup that he brought from the Old Country.


Pre-Colonialist Moroccan Coins

Moroccan Coins carrying Solomon's Seals Picture of Pre-Colonialist Moroccan Coins carrying Solomon's Seals is courtesy of historian and artist Dr. Yigal Bin Nun















Moroccan 3 Falus, 1868
CC picture by  Steve Thoroughgood from Flickr

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Itzhak Beery, First Israeli Film Festival

Star of David logo

Photo of a Star of David logo is courtesy of Itzhak Beery ( Bleecker & Sullivan Advertising )


who created it in 1982 for The First Israeli Film Festival
To capture the inspiration and energy of the Israeli film industry we unleashed the soaring Star of David into the sky. It is formed by the dynamic and organic shape of the traditional filmstrip
.
Itzhak Beery is a native Israeli designer who lives in New York. He Published this Logo on his web site which is dedicated to showcasing the ingenuity of the creative minds 

Recycling Micro Contents

Cheryl Hagedorn wrote the most extensive article about my blook that was written by someone other than me.
Here are a few updates:
Till now I wrote two chapters in English:

The Origin of the Star of David

Christian Star of David

In Hebrew I published on my Hebrew blog the following chapters


1. The origin of the Hexagram
2. The meaning of the Hexagram
3. The Hexagram in other cultures
4. Prominent persons in the history of the Magen David
5. Star of David products
6. Logos, coats of arms and city emblems
7. Mapping of Star of David appearances in art

I also broke into postings Asher Eder’s book about the Star of David, added images to each posting, and scattered them between my other postings. In other words I converted a book into a blook. I’ll be happy to know if there are others who made such a conversion …

To Be The First In The World

Equality-Flag Israel Magen David sticker My son wanted to be the first in the world who has this Equality-Flag bumper sticker on his car. It is quite rare to be the first in the world ... Anyhow I like the reflection of the flash on the number plate.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Zeev Raban, The Twelve Tribes

Stars of David Israeli art Photo of Zeev Raban (1890-1970) illustration to the Song of Songs 1:9-12 is courtesy of Ruth Doron, Zeev Raban’s daughter, who lives in Jerusalem and owns the copyrights of his works. Ofira Oriel sent me this photo with an explanation in Hebrew of each one of the Twelve Tribes’ emblems. There’s the Israeli Flag on the emblem of Gad, with the three tents. There are also rosettes, which look like Stars of David, under the emblems. Ofira told me that her father, Shlomo Kedmi, has been Raban’s pupil and later partner in the Jerusalem art workshop.

My Stickers Arrived

sign of future equality star of David My Stickers arrived five minutes ago from the printing shop and I already shot this photo to tell the world…
The number one, that is supposed to represent oneness, appears twice; while the number two that is supposed to represent separation appears once; but more important is the sign of future equality between the separated parts of the Israeli society which is built-in our flag.

Eliyahu Ben Ze’ev Alpern, Playing with light

Playing with light ART david shield Israeli
Photo is courtesy of Israeli Photographer Eliyahu Ben Ze’ev Alpern, Chicago-born artist living in the Upper Galilee, who specializes in 360-degree panoramic images of Israel… Eliyahu made aliyah to Israel in 1997 and was trained as a tour guide specializing in Israel Experience adventures.
Eliyahu told me the photo of this David's Shield was taken at Rujm el-Hiri, the Israeli Stonehenge in Golan Heights area.
Copyright: Eliyahu Ben Ze’ev Alpern 2007
Phone: +972-(0)54-747-8439

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Protest Oppression of Soviet Jewry

Star of David poster Picture of Star of David on a poster calling to protest against the opression of Soviet Jewry is courtesy of pictorial history collector

Stephanie Comfort

who published it on Flickr

The poster was issued probably in the USA in the aftermath of the first Kishinev pogrom on April 6-7, 1903.

Augustinian emblem

hexagram ChristianPhoto of radiating hexagram on top of an Augustinian emblem is courtesy of "Evissa' who published it on Flickr. Photo was taken at Costa de la Luz, Spain. friendsofsanroque commented on Evissa’s webpage:

This is an AGUSTINIAN EMBLEM:
a BiBle
a Heart Pierced with an arrow
and the CORREA, the cincture that was given by the Blessed Virgin Mary


Ken Kalman, Diaspora

Star of David Diaspora sculpture ART

Photo of Star of David Diaspora sculpture is courtesy of Ken Kalman from Canyon, California. It was created in 2004

Size: 13 x 13 x 2.25 in.

Ken Kalman was Born in 1955. 

Ken wrote to me:

The sculpture is made of aluminum sheet and covered with a map of the universe. The map is riveted onto the Star of David that I fabricated. The piece is a metaphor, that Jews are everywhere.

I wonder how would this sculpture look like after the return of the Jews to Zion…

Monday, September 24, 2007

Sukkah Decorations Booth 2

merkabah-lantern Star of DavidAnother view of Yevu Yashir booth selling Sukkah decorations and Star of David lanterns at the Yishpro Center in Hadassah Hospital Jerusalem yesterday.

Sukkah Decorations Booth 1

Star of David Lampshades boothYevu Yashir Sukkah decorations and Star of David lanterns at the Yishpro Center in Hadassah Hospital Jerusalem.

Unprecedented Stamp Shape

Stamp-Shape-star-of-davidPicture is courtesy of my favorite graphic artist Jennie Gottschalk who lives in New Zealand.

Till now you saw rectangular and sometimes triangular stamps but admit it that you have never seen Star of David shaped stamp. I just hope that the Israeli Postal Stamp Service people will notice this unique design and embrace it for next Independence Day. The balloons are made of micrographic Hebrew letters of the national anthem.
I asked Jennie how did she make the balloons and she wrote to me:

I used Paint Shop Pro to create the balloons. I started by drawing a vector line and then mapped the text onto it. I then saved the balloon, removed the text and replaced it with new text. For the one balloon, I mirrored the balloon and then added the text. It was not too hard. Just took a bit of time. After creating last year's Yom HaZikaron graphic ("A handful of names"), this was very simple.
copyright: Jennie Gottschalk 2007

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Jerusalem Pressed Flowers

Flower arrangement Star of David Photo of Flower arrangement in the shape of a Star of David is from a book with 12 pressed and dried flowers from Jerusalem by Atallah Georges Frères; published around 1898.

Matzah Cover

Matzah-cover-magen-davidPhoto of Stars of David on Matzah cover is courtesy of Nancy Schick
who published it on Flickr.

Jewish National Fund Add

Jewish National Fund Add magen david
I saw very few adds in Die-Welt, Theodore Herzl's newpaper. This one was a permanent one and it appeared on every issue. The Menorah is the same size as the Star of David, and we may learn about the same value these symbols had in the beginning of Zionism.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Candle And Star

Star of David wall hanging Photo of Star of David wall hanging is courtesy of "cross_and_star_of_david" who wrote to me 
Not much of a story behind it, the candle was for Shabbat, and I just took the picture at an angle to catch the star on the wall.

What caught my eye is the wall hanging – I think I never saw such a design. Where can I buy it? The wall hanging is so special that the combination with the candle doesn’t look Jewish at all.

Theodore Herzl inside a Star of David

Theodore Herzl inside a Star of David

Photo is from Herzl's Newspaper, Die-Welt. Usually these two symbols of Zionism compete - here they appear together in harmony.

Kenneth Snelson

hexagram-art-SnelsonPhoto of Star of David Needle Tower is courtesy of "Lukart" who published it on Flickr. The photo was taken at Kroller Muller Museum Holland. It is a Wire and metal outdoor sculpture made in 1969 by American sculptor Kenneth Snelson. The sculpture is 20 meters tall.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Alive and Burning

chai-israeli-art-magen-davidPhoto is courtesy of Israeli painter and photographer Yaacov Kaszemacher, who created a series of Star of David paintings, each revealing another unknown aspect of this mysterious symbol. Here we see the Hebrew word Chai, ALIVE, in the center of a white and blue star of David and fire burning above the letters.

Copyright: Yaacov_Kaszemacher 2007
Contact : kaszema@netvision.net.il
97246974566


P.S.
Today, 12 October 2007, I got a note that this work will take part in an exhibition titled 60 years old [Israel] opens its eyes
Opening: 15.10.2007
Rosh Pina Museum
In the catalog of the exhibition I found the following caption about it:
Truth and Absurdity, color giclee print on canvas. 56 x 56
The basis of this design is a large central Magen David constructed of 9 bars . As drawn by the artist, it is an optical illusion appearing three dimensional when in truth, it can not exist in three dimensions. The Hebrew word
אמת
has a numerical value of nine. The apparent contradiction between truth and the absurd is analogous to the existence of the Jewish people, who despite the hardships of exile and countless persecutions continue to survive. The nine bars are joined at 13 different points, creating 12 triangles. 13 refers to the
י''ג מדות הרחמים
and is also the gematria for the words
אחד
and
אהבה
Thus through the 13 qualities of HaShem's mercy, plus love the twelve tribes of Israel are united. This 9-bar Magen David was originally created by Kaszemacher as a pen and ink line drawing. In later renditions he made large acrylic paintings. What you see here began as a painting, then was photographed for scanning into a computer and then digitally manipulated adding the word
חי
life aglow with the fire of Torah. This basic design was then reduced and reproduced as multiple stars on the background. These smaller stars represent the sparks of the Jewish people as they drawn into the
קלל
from the six directions of the world

Kaszemacher Red

Kaszemacher Red israeli-art-red+magen+davidPhoto is courtesy of Israeli painter and photographer Yaacov Kaszemacher, who created a series of Star of David paintings, each revealing another unknown aspect of this mysterious symbol. Here we see a composition of many red stars of David on a blue background. In the center we see a smaller version of the same composition in other colors which seems three dimensional
Copyright: Yaacov_Kaszemacher 2007
Contact : kaszema@netvision.net.il
97246974566

Kaszemacher Ball

Photo is courtesy of Israeli painter and photographer Yaacov Kaszemacher, who created a series of Star of David paintings, each revealing another unknown aspect of this mysterious symbol. Here we see a small star of David in the center of a big ball. 
Copyright: Yaacov_Kaszemacher 2007
Contact : kaszema@netvision.net.il
97246974566

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Seller in Machane Yehuda

Sukkah Lanterns star of davidSonya, Seller in Machane Yehuda, Jerusalem's famous Souk or market, stands in front of Chamsa shop with Yevu Yashir Sukkah Lanterns in different colors hanging above her head, waiting to be sold

Sukkah Lanterns in the Souk - 1

Sukkah Lanterns star of davidGarland of Yevu Yashir Sukkah Lanterns in different colors waiting to be sold in Machane Yehuda, Jerusalem's famous Souk or market, in twilight, when the bulbs are lit to pronounce the beauty of the lanterns.

Orna Adoram, War Night

Star of David israeli art Orna AdoramPhoto of Star of David on an old wall is courtesy of painter Orna Adoram who told me that it was created in a tough night during second Lebanon war. The Star of David is made from building materials, plaster and glue. The white and blue colors hint to the Israeli flag; the red – to the soldiers’ blood. 
Copyrights: Orna Adoram 2007
ornaadoram@gmail.com
972335717540

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Zeev Raban, Let him kiss me

Zeev Raban israeli art song of songs Picture of Zeev Raban (1890-1970) illustration to the Song of Songs 1:2-4 is courtesy of Ruth Doron, Zeev Raban’s daughter, who lives in Jerusalem and owns the copyrights of his works.
We see four Stars of David above the heads of the lovers on the gate’s frieze.

Zeev Raban, I am Black, But Comely

Zeev Raban Stars of David israeli art Picture of Zeev Raban (1890-1970) illustration to Song of Songs 1:5-6 is courtesy of Ruth Doron, Zeev Raban’s daughter, who lives in Jerusalem and owns the copyrights of his works.
We see the beloved through a window and on the curtains there are two large Stars of David.

Ofira Oriel, Sparks of Unity

Stars of David israeli artPhoto of Stars of David is courtesy of Israeli painter Ofira Oriel who lives in Modi’in.
title: Sparks of Unity (between heaven and earth, between opposites).
acrylic on canvas
150X120
Copyright: Ofira Oriel 2007

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Zeev Raban, Tower of David

Zeev Raban israeli art Picture of Zeev Raban (1890-1970) illustration to the opening verses of Song of Songs 4 is courtesy of Ruth Doron, Zeev Raban’s daughter, who lives in Jerusalem and owns the copyrights of his works.
We see a large Star of David on the second small illustration from top right corner under the Tower of David.

Zeev Raban, King Solomon’s Chariot

Zeev Raban israeli art Picture of Zeev Raban (1890-1970) illustration to the Song of Songs 3:6-11 is courtesy of Ruth Doron, Zeev Raban’s daughter, who lives in Jerusalem and owns the copyright of his works.
We see King Solomon’s chariot with a very prominent Star of David right in the center of the illustration.

Homage to Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Lessing Star of David israeli-artPicture of work of art with Star of David is courtesy of Amos Plaut.
Title: Homage to Gotthold Ephraim Lessing [1729- 1781]
280/200 cm
Acrylic on canvas
1991
Lessing wrote Nathan the Wise (Nathan der Weise) about religions  tolerance. 
Copyright: Amos Plaut 2007
Amos wrote to me that the title of the work is Big Triptych and it adds to the irony:
Nathan the Wise tells the king that there's no real difference between religions, they all have the same value...

Monday, September 17, 2007

Kaszemacher Cubic

Yaacov Kaszemacher israeli-art-david-shieldPhoto is courtesy of Tzfat painter and photographer Yaacov Kaszemacher, who created a series of Star of David paintings, each revealing a new aspect of this compound symbol. Here we see a wooden cube, which is made mostly from a wooden Star of David, which encircles another blue Star of David.

They say of artists in general and of painters in particular that each work creates a world of its own with rules of its own - and in Kaszemacher’s Star of David series of paintings this saying is clearer than in many other instances: It is not only a painting - it is also an invention!
Copyrights: Yaacov_Kaszemacher 2007
Contact : kaszema@netvision.net.il
97246974566

Kaszemacher, How Did They Get There

israeli-art-david-shield-1Photo is courtesy of Tzfat painter and photographer Yaacov Kaszemacher, who created a series of Star of David paintings, each revealing another unknown aspect of this mysterious symbol. Here we see a cubic wooden frame which holds six trianglular glass pieces which form a Star of David - but one must wonder how did they get there...

Copyright: Yaacov_Kaszemacher 2007
Contact : kaszema@netvision.net.il
97246974566

Amos Plaut, Christian Attitude Towards Jews

israeli-art-david-shield
Photo of work of art with Star of David is courtesy of Amos Plaut.Title: Christian attitude towards Jews.
Amos wrote to me that usually he does not create Judaica, but sometimes events or passing thoughts have this influence on him…
Amos Plaut was born in Tel-Aviv, studied Art and interiour design in H. Heine university, Duesseldorf;  since 1985 he lives in Germany.
Copyright: Amos Plaut 2007

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Wine or Beer Barrel

King David star wine At first sight it looked to me like King David and his shield. Then I saw that the “shield” is a wine or beer barrel and the whole meaning changed. Then I read the words and understood that it is an old postcard of Hensel Berlin restaurant. Then I thought if it appears on Stephanie Comfort's Flickr pages it probably had been a Jewish restaurant, since she’s collecting Jewish pictorial history. Picture is courtesy of Stephanie Comfort

Modern Tribe Stars

Splendid Photos of Star of David lanterns are courtesy of Jennifer Rivlin Roberts and her husband who is an amateur photographer. I made in Photoshop a collage out of three different shots.
See: http://www.moderntribe.com/products/Party_Root/star_of_david_paper_lantern
Jennifer wrote in the caption:
Whenever we'd see paper star lanterns we'd wish they'd make them with six points! At last -- six pointed star lanterns that will light up your Hanukkah party, Bar or Bat Mitzvah party, or sukah. Get bunches in white for a gorgeous outdoor wedding display.

Copyrights: Jennifer Rivlin Roberts 2007

Modern Tribe Logo

Star of David interesting logo Photo of Star of David interesting logo is courtesy of Jennifer Rivlin Roberts who published it on her brand new Modern Tribe web site

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Before The Spanish Expulsion -1

Jewish star Before The Spanish Expulsion -1 Photo shows the actual condition of the door of the supposed synagogue in Huesa del Comun (Population: 136).
It is is courtesy of Javier Lozano
Zaragoza (Spain)

Javier Lozano wrote to me
En Huesa del Comun hay solo esta estrella de David. Es previa a 1492.
Te envםo dos fotos. La primera muestra el estado actual. La segunda el estado original cuando se descubriף la puerta.
No sי cuando se descubriף la puerta pero lo preguntarי.
La gente cree que esta es la puerta de la sinagoga, pero no es seguro, en mi opinion.

Before The Spanish Expulsion

Star of David Before The Spanish Expulsion Important photo of Spanish Star of David before the expulsionis is courtesy of Javier Lozano
Zaragoza ,Spain.

Javier Lozano wrote to me
In Huesa del Comun there is only this (1) Star of David. It's previous 1492
I send you two photos: The first show the actual condition of the door. The second is the original condition when the door was discovered. I don't know when the door was discovered but I will ask. The people think this is the door of a synagogue, but it's not sure, in my opinion.


In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel expelled the Jewish population of Spain, permitting only those who agreed to become Catholic to stay.

Colmar, France

France Star of David Photo of a Star of David on the sign of a restaurant is courtesy of "Navas" From Flickr
I cut most of it in Photoshop in order to make the star visible. The photo was taken at Colmar in Alsace, France. Colmar had a Jewish community in medieval times and again after 1800 and has one today.

Flag of Equality

Flag of Equality magen david

What do you think about my new sticker?
It is meant to show that the Israeli flag contains the sign of equality and heralds the future equality between the opposing parts of the Israeli society.

The Star of David symbolizes the unification of the opposites: up and down, left and right etc. The stripes on the flag look like the algebraic sign of equality.

I thought about this sticker after I read about the logo competition For I’srael’s 60th Independence Day…

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Happy New Year Dear Star of David

Star of David ZionismPhoto of Star of David on the hat and on the dress of Daughter of Zion, on her flag and as a shadow behind her is courtesy of pictorial history collector

Stephanie Comfort who published it on Flickr. I wish the Star of David a Happy New Year in which its ability to bring people closer will blossom.