National Havurah Committee Summer Institute: Translating Text Into Textile

In August 2008, Heather served as an Artist-In-Residence at the NHC Summer Institute. During the one week Institute, she had the privilege of teaching a class, made up of students ages 11-65, how to "Translate Text into Textile." Each participant created a quilted wall hanging based on a quote or text of his/her choice. Heather also had the opportunity to work with the children in the kids' camp (ages 6-12) on pieces inspired by "Creation." Below are some of the pieces created during that week. Contact Heather to find out about arranging similar classes or workshops.

HaMakom Hazeh: This Place, by Laura Shoshana Bellows

In my work, I struggle to maintain some sparks of "radical amazement." I found/find the chant quilted as an arc at the top of this piece to be a powerful reminder of re-enwondering, of finding G-d's awe even in those places where it can be so hidden.

I work from a computer in the field of environmental education - of re-enwondering, of connections lost. This piece came together after hiking Mt. Monadnock - after remembering how to be in awe of (the challenge and beauty of) our place.

The aleph represents opening your mouth and appreciate, be aware of what is here, what is precious, and what may/can become. The bet represents the moment of Creation with voice and breath, the action starting with the aleph of this place and embracing our power to bet.

Kol HaShamah, by Rachel Sommer

After years of fertility issues, my OB/GYN confirmed by ultrasound that I was six weeks pregnant. Like Sarah Imanu (The Biblical Sarah), I laughed in disbelief and joy. My son Joshua is three years old. My daughter Eva is eight months old.
                        

Hashkivenu, by Sarah Hartman

I arranged unspun silk around the edges to capture a sense of cloudiness and confusion, in contrast to the tranquil center within the divine wings. The two phrases are "spread over us the shelter of your peace" and "conceal us beneath the protection of your wings."

into Being, by Sarah Bean Brodbar-Nemzer

Music is Well Said to be the Speech of Angels, by Judith Geller

It is almost as though the last remnants of the Talmud, remembered from the womb, filtered through the limbs of my 13-month old son when he sat down at the drum set for the first time. They saw a prodigy; I saw an angel.

God is Close to All Who Cry Out, by Allan Tulchin

A.J. Heschel spoke of "radical amazement," and the Bible speaks of a "still small voice." I find the comforting warmth of a tallit reminds me of God - just over my shoulder, just out of reach. The verse (from Psalms 145) also reminds me that I have to call out, to seek God actively.

Creation of the World, Creation of God, by Krista Hyde

Humans and the Divine engage in a partnership of creation. Speech creates whole universes, physical and religious.

Summer Day, by Elizabeth Lower-Basch

This piece was inspired by the following poem by Mary Oliver:
The Summer Day
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

"The Lord will Take Me Up", by Sondy Padow

"The Lord will take me up" - unto her wings.
Coming from rocky soil, I have always been comforted by this image from Psalms 27:10...

Power of Speech, by Debby Sommer

In the beginning, speech created matter, form following words, as the days progress.

Under Our Feet, by Rachel Taylor

This piece was inspired by the following poem by W. B. Yeats:
He Had Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

When I read this poem, I think of the deep trust my husband and I had to have in each other as we laid out dreams at each other's feet in choosing life together. I also think of what I see as God's dream of tikkun olam, laid at all of our feet.

The Blessed She Spoke and POOF was the World,
by Deborah Hittleman Flank

Relish, by Sarah Mayer

I decided to do this piece because at the summer camp I went to this summer, the whole camp gathered together before Shabbat and danced. It was really fun and it was called "Relish." I tried to make my quilt look like Relish and my theme was community which Relish also shows.

Pleasant Words, by Esther Africk

Good, encouraging words are like nectar and add quality to your life.

Blessings Flow Throughout the World, by Fran-Ivy Ames

Sewing allows the creative juices to flow throughout the body and mind. It transports me to a new level of spiritual tranquility.

If Not Now, WHEN?, by Myra Weiner

Hillel's wisdom in Pirkei Avot:
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"
empowers the individual while reminding us of our responsibilities to others. My quilt represents the connection of each individual to others - we are inextricably linked to each other.

Yismach Moshe B'matnat Chelko (Moshe was Joyous with the Gift of his Portion), by Shoshana Melman

Despite the challenge of leading the Children of Israel, Moshe received this responsibility with joy. May we as parents also receive our responsibilities with joy.

A Bridge to Friends, by Molly Mangel

This quilt was made in anticipation of my next, and last, year as a camper at Camp Ramah Darom. That summer is called "Gesher," or "Bridge," because it is the bridge between being a camper and a counselor. The two months spent at camp that summer are not only a bridge to being a counselor, but a bridge to lifelong friendships.

Miriam Dances, by Tiferet Nashman

Contact Heather to learn more about this and other workshops.