Special Bar/Bat Mitzvah Keepsakes: How to keep the memory of that "Special Occasion."

There has always been  times and seasons of remembrances since time began. I have decided to do a little post on some things that I have done as gifts to honor my Shabbat School students that have moved on through the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program at our synagogue. I have done more of keepsakes than I have pictures for, I can assure you. I guess you could say that it has become "my Tradition" to give one of my custom hand-painted items to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah as a keepsake of their "Special Day" in making aliyah to the Torah for the first time.    
So, here is an idea for those of you that are friends and family of soon to be Bar or Bat Mitzvah, order from me ahead of time a custom hand-painted keepsake. I am discovering new things all the time to do up something nice for this particular type of occasion. Here are some pictures of a Bat Mitzvah Keepsake that I did just last year to get your wheels turning on what you would like to see for your "Special Order".

This was done on 11x14 canvas board.

  

I always try to use symbolism to tell a "story" when doing a custom piece. The story is how the memory of this occasion is kept and passed down. In the particular piece, the Bat Mitzvah was done during winter, the Torah is always higher than the person making aliyah to the Torah symbolizing the fact that the Torah is a picture G-D because it is His Words that was spoken either by directly G-D to man, or by the inspiration of G-Ds' Holy Spirit to the Prophets or holy men of G-D. since this is a Bat Mitzvah I chose to create a "Door to Womanhood" with ribbon. The Cardinals are red symbolizing the blood of Yeshua, and their are 3 of them which is the number of siblings in that family that has or is having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. In this case, the girl's 2 older twin sisters has already had their Bat Mitzvahs by the 2 sitting birds, and the bird that is flying down to join them is the "new" Bat Mitzvah about to join them in their accomplished group.

After the actual "Bat Mitzvah Day" there is a time of rest from all the preparations and work, and that is why the birds are sitting and resting. Notice, that there are 2 small trees on either side of the painting? If you understand that the 2 wooden polls on the Torah is the "Etz Chaim" or "Tree of Life" you would see that there is actually "3" trees in the picture. This is where the Messianic belief rests it's faith on the fact that all this symbolism points to Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah. The Torah is the best picture we have of Him, because He was the "Word of God" made into flesh as a man (the Living Torah), the Torah itself is lamb skin with the Words of G-D written on it. Yeshua died on a tree, just like the lambs that were sacrificed for sin offerings that was placed bound, and on the wood . That particular execution stake symbolizes "Eternal Life" because Yeshua arose from the tomb ...thus, "Tree of Life" just as what is used in holding the Torah scroll. So, the Torah in the middle of the 2 dead, and withered trees the symbol of Yeshua's death. In a Bar/Bat Mitzvah there is the leaving behind of childhood, and being elevated to growing into a woman or a man.

I also personalize the painting with the young persons name, Bat/Bat Mitzvah Date, and the Torah Portion they read.

These are just some of the details that I mentioned. Oh, and I forgot to mention that I painted the background to have a Torah "skin-look" look, and there is a golden aura around it symbolizing it's Holiness.

The ribbon is the color blue, depicting the Theme Colors of the Bat Mitzvah Celebration. But, that is the beauty of custom ordering....you have choices as what you want as far as colors, themes, hidden symbolization messages, and info that you want included.

Next, is a very practical gift that really enjoyed doing. What would such a special occasion be without photos to display of the Special Day? Here is a 4 Photo Pivoting Display with storage in the middle compartment for a few more photos to store so you can switch the photos out from time. Painted gold to with hand-painted black designs of Magen Davids, Vines and Hearts; each side is different.

This is the top of the lid....the "Jewish Heart" that is blossoming......the vines are symbolizing not only wine of Jewish Tradition, but also the vines are a symbol of "Holding on to Tradition" but, budding with the new life of the next generation. 

     
This particular item is still available as of this post. If you are interested, please contact me at: judaicexpressionsandmore@ymail.com.

Be sure to include original #0047 and description: Gold/black 4 photo pivot box                                         in your email.
size: 5.75 x 5.75 x 5.76...opening 3 x 3             Price:  $40.00 (not including tax/shipping)

 Remember, you can custom order what you want.....background colors, detail colors, themes, if you would like any script written on it, and if you do what would like it all to say....whether in English or in Hebrew. 

The possibilities are endless!!

Also, remember to check out "Judaic Expressions and More: on FaceBook, look at all the photos of the products and choose from something there that you might like as well. Don't forget to "Like" me on FaceBook!!! 
                                                                                                Shalom and Blessings!!

                                                                                                Deborah (Kattner) Ballard
                                                                                                     Visual Artist/Owner