I Think The Matzah Dust Is Gone......

After a very crunchy Pesach, we are trying to get everyone back on schedule. Not easy with a busy house! But fortunately all the Pesach dishes are put away for another year and I think we have swept up all of our Matzah crumbs which are almost as sneaky as our chametz! I hope everyone had a meaningful Pesach. We had a house full of company over Sedar and combined with a few activities we were able to at least for the week put aside some of our spiritual chametz along with everything else.

We spent the week of Passover focusing on our Exodus out of Mitzrayim (Egypt) and the triumph we felt at being able to leave a horrible situation. However, last week we were already focusing on yet another tragedy that befell the Jewish people. Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day. A day when not just Israel remembers what was done during that time, but a day when the entire world remembers. Like our Pesach Sedar, it is a day that WE as Jews remember that it happened to US. WE went out of Mitzrayim and it was with G-d's help that we did. It wasn't Jews of long ago; it was our families, our children, our relatives. It is in this same way that I remember the Holocaust. Because regardless of the time that lapses, any tragedy that occurs during the time of the Jewish people remains with us forever. We understand that the lives of those affected before us are still felt long after the physical tragedy occurs. The grandparents who were unable to pass on stories or recipes from their own childhood, the parents who were unable to raise their own children and live to become grandparents and of course the children who never were fully able to bring their own light to this world by continuing their family lineage. As I try to explain the tragedy of the Holocaust to the children in our family, I tried to focus on the tragedy as well as the legacy. Those who survived and lived to tell their own stories as well as the stories of those who had no voice.  I wanted to bridge the gap between tragedy and triumph, to bridge the time between a generation that is nearly gone and connect it to one that is new and fresh.  It is from the ashes of that time period that we see hope of today and in our future. We know that G-d will redeem us and it is this time that we look forward to, that we pray for daily both during the week and on Shabbat. It is with this in mind that I pray for G-d to bring us quickly out of the diaspora and bring all the Jews together as one in Eretz Yisrael, where we will finally be able to pray to the third and final Temple with eternal peace and harmony. May it come speedily in our day.

As we look toward the coming month, there is tragedy but also hope, we remember the fallen of the Israeli Defense Force, then we remember the elation at seeing Israel celebrate yet another birthday as a State under our own rule, the light of Lag B'Omer as we remember the light that brought us out of another tragedy and the great Rabbis' that brought us there, particularly Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and finally we prepare to received the Torah on Shavuot. We renew our desire to learn the Torah with love and to teach our children as well, so that the light of the Torah will always shine regardless of the challenges that each generation faces. In the coming weeks, I will be reflecting on these days individually and together as I prepare myself and my family for Shavuot.

Shavua Tov (Have a good week) and may you be blessed in all your endeavors.

Reflections On Pesach

It is the final Sunday before Pesach and I feel it is time for a little introspection and reflection so I don't lose site of the true meaning. True we rush to clean and eat all the chametz (leavened bread)and of course we want the house pristine. But it is during this last week that I want to concentrate on the true meaning of Pesach and the blessings it brings to Jews worldwide.

When the Jews went out of Mitzrayim (Egypt), they were free from Pharaoh but not from worry. Despite seeing all the miracles that G-d had granted there was still plenty of doubt as to whether or not they would survive. Yet without realizing the true meaning of the word they were free. Free to say "Shema" without fear of arrest as some Jews would later experience. Free to believe in G-d, free to pass down their heritage to their children and grandchildren.

Throughout the history of Judaism we see how we were not always free, but today I feel we have come full circle. In most corners of the world, we as Jews can travel freely and pray freely. But like when we came out of Mitzrayim, we still carry the worry and doubt that G-d will not provide for us. So as you sit down to your Passover Sedar this Friday and Saturday I hope you will also take time to reflect on the miracles you are blessed with daily and try to let go of your worry during this holiday season. I also hope you will take the time reflect on those who protect our freedoms including the IDF and those Jews who are still striving to be free whether it is physically or spiritually.

Have a wonderful and meaningful Kosher L' Pesach!

Creating The Perfect Sedar

Pesach (Passover) has arrived and with just over a week to go, the big question on everyone's mind is, "How to create the perfect Sedar?" Whether this is your first Pesach Sedar as a young family or you have years of experience behind you, I'll give you some ideas on how to blend new ideas with timeless traditions and turn it into something original that will create long lasting memories!

1.) Keep It Lively: If you have children at your table reading the Haggadah can be a bit tedious. So bring it to life with color! Let the kids create pictures or props for the 10 plagues. Marshmallows are a big hit for the hail and plastic animals work well for the plague of wild beasts. The story of the Pesach Exodus is designed to create a continuing legacy so that this story is never forgotten. So let your kids know that this amazing dinner is just for them!

2.) Set The Stage: Art work surrounding your table will bring to life the Exodus from Egypt. After all we how can we forget the famous movie scene where we see Moshe (Moses) parting the sea. You can have the same feeling without quite so many special affects by having art work on the walls depicting Moshe parting the Reed (Red) Sea on your wall instead. Another option is to place a beautiful picture up of The Kotel(Western Wall) in Jerusalem. Reminding everyone that next year we should all merit to spend Pesach in Jerusalem!

3.)Reflect On How The Sedar Relates To Today's World: Talk about what would have happened if we had not gone out of Egypt. Ask your children what it would be like if we did not have Israel today. You can also reflect on ideas such as having the security of a home, or having a table that is full of family and friends.

Regardless of how many guests you have, or how many times you have or have not hosted a Sedar, reflection on the true holiday will help bring that same feeling to your table. Why not stop by my new gallery at www.ellenmillerbraun.com today and add to the inspiration of your Pesach Sedar starting right now. Make an order before Pesach and receive 20% off.

New Beginnings!

It is spring and that is surely cause for celebration! After a very wet yet, blessed winter we here in Israel are looking forward to drying out and cleaning out. Because with spring comes Pesach(Passover) cleaning! The Hebrew month of Nissan is consider another new year. It commemorates when the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt. It was and still is a time of rebirth, growth and reflection on the many miracles that G-d has granted us.

Since Nissan is considered a time of new beginnings we also felt that this was the perfect time to welcome you to Ellen's official grand opening. After a lot of hard work and anticipation we are cordially inviting you to visit Ellen's virtual new gallery at www.elllenmillerbraun.com.  Here you will find not only micro calligraphy that is perfect for commemorating Passover all year round, but you will also find other pieces that reflect the essence of a home filled with love, inspiration and dedication.  Discover the ideal baby gift, wedding gift and more for all your spring special occasions.

To celebrate our grand opening we are also offering you a chance to have some fun and receive a discount too!  Simply answer the question: "Who led the Jews out of Egypt?" and receive 20% off your order from Sunday March 18 until Pesach!  You can reply here or answer on Ellen's facebook page listed under http://www.facebook.com/EllensBibleArt

We look forward to hearing from you soon,

Kol Tov!

An Introductory Post

This post is designed to help you get acquainted with Ellen and learn about what she does and who she is.  As a fan of Ellen's and often and someone known to promote her work from time to time, I thought this was a good way of getting her blog underway.

Ellen grew up in America and has alway had a passion for art. After high school she continued her education at Northeastern Illinois University where she majored in art. Soon after, Ellen married and started her ever growing family and moved to Israel.  She is now settled in the hills of the Shomron in Israel and has become an internationally recognized artist. First with soft sculptures of  clever figures that captured daily Jewish life including some political figures, and now as an artist of mirco calligraphy.  Micro calligraphy is the art of writing tiny words to create a picture. 

Ellen gives credit for inspiration directly from G-d a belief she holds to strongly as a Religious Jewish woman. Biblical figures, passages in the Torah, Psalms and of course her growing family help her visual her creations.   Ellen's work has been sold throughout the world and appeals not only to the religious world, but to anyone who has ever enjoyed the tale of Noah or Jonah and the Whale.  Whether you appreciate the wisdom that comes through these stories beloved by children and adults alike or you feel deeply connected to a high power, you will find inspiration from Ellen's art work.

In the coming weeks we hope to expound the beauty of Ellen's work and the detail that goes into it as well as provide a little inspiration through the words and wisdom of art.

Kol Tuv (A popular Hebrew expression for all's good!)