Rescued Tree Branch Mezuzah
Handcrafted by master woodworker Hershel Weiss from a wide variety of found tree branches (tree is never harmed).
Weiss intuitively hand-carves each mezuzah and hand-burns each shin to celebrate the unique beauty and story of every rescued branch.
Each mezuzah includes information on the tree and a small story of the rescued branch.
Nails, prayer and hanging guide included.
Handcrafted by master woodworker Hershel Weiss from a wide variety of found tree branches (tree is never harmed).
Weiss intuitively hand-carves each mezuzah and hand-burns each shin to celebrate the unique beauty and story of every rescued branch.
Each mezuzah includes information on the tree and a small story of the rescued branch.
Nails, prayer and hanging guide included.
Handcrafted by master woodworker Hershel Weiss from a wide variety of found tree branches (tree is never harmed).
Weiss intuitively hand-carves each mezuzah and hand-burns each shin to celebrate the unique beauty and story of every rescued branch.
Each mezuzah includes information on the tree and a small story of the rescued branch.
Nails, prayer and hanging guide included.
Hershel Weiss developed a love of wood when he took carving lessons with Norwegian master carver Tom Shuman in the 1970’s. By carving, he discovered the beauty and individuality in every piece of wood.
Later, in 1985-1986, he studied at the Krenov School in Mendocino County, California with cabinetmaker James Krenov and grew ever more appreciative of the unique identity of every tree, the variations between each plank from the same tree, and how to work sensitively with a sacred material.
Hershel was raised by a Sefardi mother whose native language was Ladino, or Judeo-Espanyol; and an Ashkenazi dad whose first language was Yiddish.
The Ashkenazi, or eastern European Jewish culture was prominent in his upbringing and the Sefardi, or Iberian Jewish culture was somewhat hidden.
Today, his workshop is located on the campus of the synagogue Nahalat Shalom in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He built the sanctuary entryway portico and doors there, and the torah ark and torah reading table, the talitot rack and the baseboard molding.
Living in New Mexico he has had the opportunity to become friends with many Spanish speaking Jews who grew up Catholic, and as Director of Sephardic Programming at his synagogue, Hershel is enriched by knowing and working with his New Mexican Sephardic cousins who were forced to hide their identities for centuries. Being with Spanish speaking Jews has helped him to embrace fully the Sephardic culture that was kept at arm’s length in his childhood. His work has been deeply influenced by several trips to Spain and its old synagogues and mosques.