Bet Am Shalom Judaica Craft Show Celebrates 20 Years
On the evening of Saturday, Nov. 16, Bet Am Shalom Synagogue of White Plains will open its doors for the 20th Annual Judaica Craft Show.
White Plains resident, Betsy Landis, a member of the show’s steering committee and one of the event’s founders, told the White Plains Examiner in an interview that she can’t believe 20 years have gone by.
Having spent many years in Jerusalem, Israel, sometimes as many as six months out of a year, Landis became familiar with the local art and artisans. When she was approached to join the team working to create a Judaica show in Westchester, Landis knew she had to say “yes.” Her efforts to bring Israeli artists to the United States each year for the show has contributed greatly to its success.
“What is unique is the relationship we have with the artists,” Landis explained. “A community has formed around the event. A rabbi gathers everyone together before the doors open. We eat together, we talk and sing. It is a place where the artist and the purchaser can interact one-on-one.”
Landis further explained that much art today is sold online and it is unique to be able to interact with a piece’s creator when making a purchase, especially for items made internationally. “Many families have religious items in the home that are handed down through generations and are part of family history. New craft items purchased at the show are added and become part of that history.”
Even though many artists return year after year, new names come on board regularly. Each year the work is juried by a team of curators from the top Jewish museums in New York. They rate the crafts on their religious and artistic qualities.
Held within the Synagogue, the show has room for 50 booths and has become known as one of the highest quality craft fairs in the region.
Originally held in the spring so as not to compete with another similar New York City event, which ended several years back, the Bet Am Shalom Judaica Craft Show is held yearly just before Chanukah.
“The change of season has affected what is sold,” Landis said. “People come in with a different interest. They are now looking for gifts.”
The show includes crafts made from ceramic and glass, fiber, metal, mixed media and wood, paper and wall art, and jewelry. All the items, except the jewelry, have a biblical background of some sort.
Because the Judaica Craft Show is a fundraiser for Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, a portion of the proceeds go to the synagogue.
Each year one booth is donated to a not-for-profit group from Israel and that organization realizes all the proceeds from its sales at the show. This year Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Old) will sell beautiful Judaica craft items made by the elderly. The mission of this organization is to provide the hundreds of Jerusalem’s needy elderly with creative work opportunities and crucial support services to help them feel a part of Israeli society and to boost their sense of purpose and self worth.
The Bet Am Shalom 20th Annual Judaica Craft Show will be held Saturday, Nov. 16 from 8 to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains. Admission is $8. Vouchers for $1 off can be obtained at betamshalom.org/judaica_craft_show.
