Skip To Content
JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
News

Shining Stars

When Madonna started wearing layers of crosses in the early ’80s, she popularized a fashion item that, unlike most, simultaneously radiates vibes both stylish and spiritual. But even for the most irreligious of fashion-conscious Jews, donning an obvious Christian symbol was just too taboo.

These days, however, it seems that it’s time for the Star of David to shine.

Upscale department stores like Barneys New York on Manhattan’s Upper East Side have only recently started featuring Jewish-themed jewelry in their display cases. Crafted by such couture designers as Francisca Botelho and Finn, the pieces feature hamsas —protective hands that are said to ward off the evil eye — in addition to the more traditional Stars of David. Though few in number, the pieces definitely stand out from their neighboring Christian counterparts.

Yet whether the store is attempting to lure more Jews into its classy interior is unclear. A rep for the chic chain declined to comment, saying only that the store buys its jewelry based on “style not religious theme.”

Which begs the question: does that mean it’s in vogue to be a Jew? Madonna, with her Kabbalah fixation, new Hebrew moniker and red-string-wearing ways, certainly seems to think so.

But some jewelry outlets don’t credit the Material Girl with bringing Judaism’s message to the masses. Orly Ohebsion, owner of Moondance Jewelry Gallery in Santa Monica, Calif., thinks that her customers are simply looking for something with deeper meaning to wear around their necks.

“I moved to Los Angeles in 1990,” said the Israel-born Ohebsion. “Quickly after I came here I couldn’t help but realize that Americans were missing a certain spirituality and sense of community.” Her store sells trinkets she hopes will be both meaningful and fun for the wearer. “We sell plenty of hamsas and evil eyes to non-Jews. I think those symbols cross religious lines.”

Moondance, whose patrons have included Jodie Foster, Halle Berry and Debra Messing, carries lines by a number of star jewelers that make pieces that appeal to a Jewish clientele. The store includes designs by Botelho; the New York-based Me&Ro (which also integrates Sanskrit in its works), and Rosanne Karmes, the California designer behind SYdney Evan.

“The world has been in a completely chaotic state since 9/11,” said Karmes, who named her line after her two children, seven-year-old daughter Sydney and six-year-old son Evan. “Hamsas and evil eyes are protective. Anyone can wear them — Jew or not. They just make people feel good.”

Karmes, whose line also includes bejeweled Chai pendants as well as crosses, thinks that Americans are looking to wear clothing and accessories that reflect their hopes for a more tranquil world. “I’ve also been selling more peace signs lately. Everything I make gives off a positive energy.”

But the Los Angeles-raised designer, whose celebrity clients include Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Lindsay Lohan (the latter owns a yellow-gold hamsa on a 20-inch chain), understands that even though people have been gravitating towards her tribe-friendly charms, she can’t skimp on her sometimes elaborate designs. “Trying to make a Jewish Star look cool isn’t an easy task,” she said.

Leah Hochbaum is a freelance writer living in New York.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

Republish This Story

Please read before republishing

We’re happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines. You must credit the Forward, retain our pixel and preserve our canonical link in Google search.  See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs.

To republish, copy the HTML by clicking on the yellow button to the right; it includes our tracking pixel, all paragraph styles and hyperlinks, the author byline and credit to the Forward. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. Please email us at [email protected], subject line “republish,” with any questions or to let us know what stories you’re picking up.

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.