By Terry Waslow
Many years ago, I read about a Jewish group called the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic needlework They get together with the mission to pass on Jewish needlework traditions. And many years ago, before children, when I was living a more carefree, independent single life, I used to weave. I became very interested in the fiberarts traditions of various cultures. I thought it would be interesting to explore how to combine my Jewishness with this love of fiberarts.
My mother was a knitter and my grandmother was quite skilled in crochet and embroidery. They made utilitarian items, turning the mundane into works of beauty. Among the items that I cherish are a beautiful lace tablecloth, napkins and runner my grandmother made for my mother as a wedding gift. It is 77 years old. I look at it and admire the patience and skill it took to make it and I wonder how she completed the work amidst all the other responsibilities in her very busy life.
Well, I finally joined my local chapter of the Guild just a few years ago and began some new and exciting projects. Our chapter name is Masorot meaning tradition. The other members are so skilled and kind when teaching techniques and I have learned many new ways of combining my Jewishness with traditional and modern needle arts. But one of the other things I love about this group is their commitment to tikkun olam, making the world better. They use their time and supplies to add beauty to the lives of others faced with challenges many of us will never face. We have been making hats for premature babies and donate them to hospital neonatal intensive care units and blankets for seniors in various facilities. This week we got together and began making blankets for refugee families, new arrivals from Afghanistan. In the first hour of our working together we completed 18 blankets and a number of scarves. One more session and we will soon have a good number of completed items to get to families as the cold weather sets in.
These sessions may not be the radical activities I often take part in, but knowing that something positive is being added to individual lives is just one step in making this world a better and more beautiful world, a bessere un shanere velt. Needlework adds moments of pleasure and relaxation to my often hectic life and gives me the needed moments to energize myself for the work ahead. It is one step I can take in between the bigger, more impactful actions.
