Crafts
Jewish Handmade Resistance: Why Ethical Fashion Is About More Than Boycotts
Some choose to mend rather than buy something they feel violates Jewish ethics.
6 Best Hanukkah Tchochkes on Etsy
Everything looks better on Etsy — and Hanukkah is no different. From Dr. DreDels to the Menorahsaurus Rex, here’s a roundup of some of the best stuff available.
Hobby Lobby's 'No Hanukkah' Apology Accepted by Anti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League accepted an apology from the retailer Hobby Lobby for an employee’s alleged comment that the store “doesn’t cater to you people.”
When DIY Was More Than DIY
I recently discovered, and promptly became obsessed with, Emily Matchar’s blog New Domesticity. On the blog and in her upcoming book due out next year, Matchar explores the recent-ish explosion of “lost” domestic arts like bread-baking, bee-keeping and serious DIY laundry (handmade washboard, anyone?). I’d been noticing the popularity of this return to the ways of yore for quite a while — in the steady stream of beautiful food blogs and online crafting tutorials and magazine articles about topics like urban gardening. When I belatedly acquired a Pinterest account, I saw that millions of people were spending their waking hours on virtual bulletin boards, collecting recipes and home improvement projects.
Celebrating Arts & Craft in Jerusalem
For two weeks every August, Sultan’s Pool, the valley beneath the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, thrums with the full spectrum of culture. By Harvey Stein (Israel MFA) An annual event for 35 years, Jerusalem’s International Arts and Crafts Festival, taking place in Sultan’s Pool below the Old City walls, is the largest cultural event in the country, showcasing arts, crafts, music, theater and food — from Israel and all over the world. The International Pavilion boasts arts and crafts from more than 30 countries and a small stage for performances from attending countries. In the Israel section, the wares of more than 150 artists and craftspeople are offered for sale. Secrets of various trades are revealed, like those on display at the annual glass blowing demonstration. There are workshops for children as well. This year’s highlight was a workshop all about bees, with a glass-encased beehive transported to the festival as an irresistible draw. Small stages and wandering performers abound throughout the festival grounds, and there’s a main stage where top Israeli performers appear over the two weeks, such as Noa, David Broza, Aviv Gefen and internationally renowned hip hop band Hadag Nahash (SnakeFish). It’s easy to see why Jerusalemites who first visited the festival as children return year after year, until they’re coming with children of their own. Download links (copy/paste to browser): Streaming: www.megaupload.com Hi Res: www.megaupload.com Script:www.megaupload.com