All works shown here are the property of the artist and may NOT be reproduced without permission.
" When it's HANDMADE it means that it comes from the HEART "
This page was last updated on: December 16, 2015
LEFT; "I am your Beloved, and your Beloved is Mine". ONEE LEDODEE, VEDODEE LEE. The pillow was created as a fifth wedding gift for children of the person who commissioned this work. The 20 inch pillow is dupioni silk with self piping all around. The embroidery is cotton with beading on the letters. The lace has been attached by hand. This would make a wonderful challah cover for a very special gift/ housewarming/ wedding/ shower. The photo does not do justice to the sheen and gold colour in the dupioni silk. If you would like to honour a special friend/relative with a special challah coverOR pillow click here
FAR LEFT: Royal Doulton "Baroness" Bone china pattern chosen by a Toronto Bride in 2004,
IMMEDIATE RIGHT: The Challah Cover created for the above bride to compliment their Baroness China on Shabbat. What a lovely lasting presentation accompanying a place setting, an oval platter or alone!
RIGHT: Striking Watercolour quilted challah cover presented as a house warming gift to a special couple.in Ancaster, Ontario
Seeing how her art grows with each piece makes us all shep naches.
CUSTOM JUDAICA by MARILYN LEVY, the TALLIT Maaven Marilyn Levy, a custom textile artist from Hamilton, Ontario Canada, is known as the TALLITmaaven. She creates hand made Tallitot/ Tallis/ Talis/ Talesim/ talis katan and talit gadol. She creates coordinating Tallit bags, Tefillin bags, shofar bags and kippot/ kipas/ keepahs/ yarmulkes to complete the TALLIT/ talis set..
The TALLITmaaven's challah covers are treasured by their recipients for their personalization (matching decor, fine china, user's personalities, matching theme for weddings or B'nai mitzvot.). The TALLITmaaven prides herself in creating beautiful items that will be cherished for generations to come.
RIGHT: Challah Cover created for a 47th Anniversary gift. The piecing is a watercolour quilting technique. The pomegranate on the right represents the 613 mitzvot with approximately 613 French Knots and Beads representing the legendary 613 pomegranate seeds. Candles are represented by fabric that has been stamped with Hebrew words representing Shabbat.
ClitALLIT mAAVEN tALIS MAAVEN TALLIT TALIT TALIT MAVENck here to add text.
LEFT: The Challah cover designed to coordinate with the Toronto Bride's choice of Royal Doulton 'Zanda Rhodes' china. The challah cover was presented with the oval platter in the china to use as a challah plate (or food platter). This gift was very special and meaningful to the bride and groom. Summer, 2005
Very personalized challah covers to suit individual taste and preferences. Show how much you care by coordinating the challah cover with the bone china, the décor, the occasion invitation or other theme. Perfect selection for wedding, shower, Housewarming, aniversary, Mother's Day, hostess gift, honourarium presentation, thank you, or just to say, "I love you" gift. Look for personalized designs to make the gift presentation extra special and meaningful.
TALLITmaaven's custom Challah covers may have a dedication embroidered on the lining at your request, so that the recipient will always remember who gave such a wonderful gift. Custom challah covers may have a tunnel for a rod that can be used to hang the Challah cover as a piece of signed art. Contact the TALLITmaaven for information.
LEFT: Dupioni Silk Challah Cover created with an antique look to coordinate with Noritake Chatelaine China chosen by the bride. The bride of a young Lubavich Rebbe, chose the wording for her challah cover. The embroidery was done in metallic threads with embroidered silver and grey greenery in each corner. The border is silver dupioni silk. What a special way to sanctfy Shabbat and Holidays!
LEFT: Challah cover embroidered with a Star of David and two Peace Doves carrying greens. This challah cover is lined with a Star of David Fabric and could be used as a reversible challah cover. This challah cover is 100% cotton with rayon embroidery.
LEFT: 1998--Watercolour Quilted Challah cover. Created for a wedding gift for a Toronto Bride who uses it weekly at her home in Israel. Her large family enjoys studying it and finding the large varieties of animals, florals and "things" hidden within the piecing. After using it for so many years, in an observant home, the TALLITmaaven is presently in the process of creating another for this family.
RIGHT: A challah cover created for a Bride & Groom who have chosen Royal Doulton Fanfare for their china (Shown on left). Spring, 2007. Dupioni Silk is used with gold metallic embroidery.
The Pomegranate (Exodus 39: 24-25) features approx. 613 beads and French knots . Ask for info about creating a challah cover to coordinate with your favourite Bride's china. (or your own).
LEFT: Mikasa Cameo Platinum Dinnerware. Centre: Detail of dupioni silk challah cover for use on Shabbat and Yom Tovim. Hand beading and hand embroidery on pomegranate representing seeds (approximately 613). Flowers at right represent growth, as pomegranate flowers grow into mature pomegranates. This challah cover was presented to a Bridal Couple accompanied by the oval platter from the dinner set that could be used as a challah plate or as a serving dish for Shabbat/and any other occasion. Upon request, the challah cover may be equipped with a "hanger" so that it may be displayed as a work of art in the home.
LEFT: Challah Cover (dupioni silk, beading, embroidery, applique) created for display of Pomegrante Guild of Judaic Textiles of Toronto, Threads of Identity Display, June - September, 2007 at the MORRIS and SALLY JUSTEIN HERITAGE MUSEUM of Baycrest Hospital in Toronto. There are approximately 613 beads and French knots applied by hand in th pomegranate representing the seeds (and 613 commandments). Each challah cover is personalized on the underside and signed by the artist This challah cover was presented as a "special birthday gift" to a Toronto, Ontario sister, bubby, wife & friend...
RIGHT: Challah cover embroidered on a cotton body with a Jerusalem scene in honour of Israel's 60th Anniversary~2008/5768.
RIGHT: Custom dupioni silk and natural silk Challah cover was a gift created as a Bat Mitzvah gift coordinating with the tallit. The challah cover features a tunnel on the upper rear for hanging when not being used as a challah cover. The hand beading embellishes the Pomegranate. Signed by the artist.
Contact the TALLITmaaven to arrange for a custom challah cover for that very special and unique gift.
ABOVE: Dupioni silk challah cover for a Bat Mitzvah to coordinate with her custom Daisy TALLIT .
The Sabbath alone is mentioned in the Ten Commandments as a day to be observed by all - even the servant, the stranger, and cattle. It has been said that it represents the greatest piece of social legislation in the history of mankind. Our ancients realized that no one could remain productive without rest. Without a Sabbath to culminate their labors, people would lose their self-respect, their dignity, even their desire to work.
The Romans did not realize how advanced the Sabbath institution was. They ridiculed the Jews for wasting away a seventh of their lives in idleness. The Sabbath also interfered with the institution of slavery. The master was not in complete control of his slave; for one day at least the slave was subject to God's will and not to the will of his master.
However, the intrinsic value of the Sabbath goes much deeper than mere abstention from work. Man (and woman) is bidden to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." He is to give it over to spiritual pursuits, to make the most out of this period of physical rest by elevating himself spiritually and intellectually. He is to set it aside as a day to be observed on a different dimension from that of the usual workaday week-for prayer, joy, and rest.
The many prohibitions connected with the Sabbath are intended to protect the spirituality of the day rather than to create a mood of solemnity for the observant Jew. Our rabbis ordained that funerals were not permitted on the Sabbath; mourning was interrupted so that the Sabbath joy would not be diminished even in an hour of anguish.
Comfort and pleasure are part of Sabbath observance. The Jew is enjoined to sanctify the Sabbath by eating choice meals and wearing his or her best garments. It is a day when both body and soul partake in the rejoicing.
The Sabbath (or Shabbat, as it is called in Hebrew) is one of the best known and least understood of all Jewish observances. People who do not observe Shabbat think of it as a day filled with stifling restrictions, or as a day of prayer. But to those who observe Shabbat, it is a precious gift from G-d, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits. In Jewish literature, poetry and music, Shabbat is described as a bride or queen, as in the popular Shabbat hymn, Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah (come, my beloved, to meet the [Sabbath] bride). It is said "more than Israel has kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept Israel."
Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. It is the only ritual observance instituted in the Ten Commandments. It is also the most important special day, even more important than Yom Kippur. This is clear from the fact that more aliyoth (opportunities for congregants to be called up to the Torah) are given on Shabbat than on any other day.
Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the root Shin-Bet-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest
On Friday afternoon, observant Jews leave the office to begin Shabbat preparations. The mood is much like preparing for the arrival of a special, beloved guest: the house is cleaned, the family bathes and dresses up, the best dishes and tableware are set, a festive meal is prepared. In addition, everything that cannot be done during Shabbat must be set up in advance: lights and appliances must be set (or timers placed on them, if the household does so), the light bulb in the refrigerator must be removed or unscrewed, so it does not turn on when you open it, and preparations for the remaining Shabbat meals must be made.
A challah cover is a cloth covering the challah while the "moitzie" (prayer) is repeated. Each lovely challah cover adds to the beauty of the Shabbat or Yom Tov meal. Adding to the beauty of the mitzvah is called "Hiddur Mitzvah".
RIGHT; Challah Cover featuring two TREES OF LIFE. Created as a wedding gift for a special bride & groom, this challah cover was presented with a large platter from their chosen china to be used as a challah board (with a small cutting board to be placed on top of the plate for protection). The bride was given several choices of TREES OF LIFE styles and fonts. Her colours are beige and taupe. The cotton border fabric has leaves that coordinate with the bridal couple's choice of trees. The young couple chose "handwriting" Hebrew font.
LEFT: Challah cover custom-created for a family who use their late Bubby's SHELLEY DUCHESS BLUE china for Shabbat. Ask for a re-creation of your favourite china pattern to enhance the beauty of your Shabbat table. Treasured gift for Wedding/Shower, Housewarming, Yom Tov, Birthday, Anniversary, or "I love you".
LEFT: Challah cover designed to match the TREE OF LIFE on the Bat Mitzvah invitation. TALLITmaaven digitized this one-of-a-kind challah cover to match the invitation and all of the accessories of this event.
Left: Challah cover created to continue the decor of the Bat Mitzvah invitation in Madison Wisconsin. The scroll design on the top right of the challah cover is on the top right of the invitation. The purple design was custom-digitized and embroidered on white lined silk. The dedication is embroidered on the rear of the cover. The challah cover was presented to the Bat Mitzvah girl by her parents and brother as a meaningful momento of the occasion. The invitation is shown at the right.
LEFT: Challah cover created for a Toronto Bat Mitzvah using the daisy design in her invitation. the kippot for the guests were created from the purple hand dye fabric that has been used to create the border around the challah cover. What a meaningful gift!!
NEW!
LEFT: Challah cover created for a Bat Mitzvah from same fabric as her very special suit that she chose for her Bat Mitzvah. The floral print was the fabric of her dress and the bright pink was the fabric of her jacket. A Jerusalem theme was chosen as she was spending the following two months in Israel at a summer camp and visiting her relatives and friends living there. The RSVPs for the Bat Mitzvah were sent via an e-invitation site, and the replies, both acceptances and regrets, are being embroidered onto a quilt/wall hanging created from the same two fabrics. What a meaningful remembrance of a wonderful occasion! To discuss honouring your favourite Bar/Bat Mitzvah Wedding in this meaningful way,click here
LEFT: Silver silk Challah Cover to honour Bride and Groom's Shabbat dishes. The bride loves white roses. Their names and wedding date are embroidered on the centre panel.
RIGHT: Challah cover of dupioni silk for a Toronto bride to coordinate with her de Havilland china. Her favourite flowers are tulips, embroidered, in contemporary style, on silk challah cover.
LEFT: Roomy 17" x 22" Challah cover created to coordinate with Tallit for Moitze at Bar Mitzvah in Boca Raton FL. featuring three embroidered sea shells, washed up on a sandy-looking batik beach. 2014/5774
RIGHT: Silk challah cover commissioned by a very special husband for his beloved wife for their tenth anniversary Shabbat Dinner in Eastern Massachusetts. The green roses are reminiscent of the green roses at their wedding. The logo embroidered in grey on the grey silk, was the cover of their wedding invitation ten years ago. On the lining, is a beautiful verse from husband to wife embroidered. 2014/5774
RIGHT; Challah cover was requested by a bridegroom as a wedding gift for his bride. They love the colour, red, and red wine. They enjoy music which is quietly embroidered on the background. Their wedding was held on a Friday so that Shabbat dinner was their wedding meal and he presented his lovely bride with this challah cover at the wedding meal and it was used for the wedding meal moitze. 2014/5774
ABOVE: a CHALLAH COVER featuring beautiful wheat and embellished with red poppies, created especially for a Toronto charitable organization for presentation to an exceptionally special volunteer. This design will be recreated especially for you using your favourite colours and florals or butterflies. Contact Marilyn for details.
BELOW; CHALLAH COVERS ordered by a Melbourne, Australia woman for two special bridal couples in Spring/Autumn 5774/2014. The fronts were embroidered on pastel batik fine cotton. The traditional Shabbat Still Life scenes, embroidered treble clef and staff with swirling musical notes, the wedding flowers plus the couples' names were all embroidered onto the fronts of the two challah covers. On The rears were embroidered persoalization for each couple. One couple are both doctors and a stethascope plus the Australian football logos from their favourite teams. The second couple were a nursery teacher and insurance salesman. Sketches representing their occupations plus the logos of their favourite teams were also included. This gift was so personal and showed the couples that someone really thought about them, their preferences and them as real people.
LEFT: Challah Cover created for a Bat Mitzvah using the theme of the invitations that the honouree chose... tree of life in teale green shades. The embroidery is on a mottled teale green background.
LEFT: a CHALLAH COVER created to copy the Sydney, Australia ALL WE NEED IS LOVE wedding invitation shown on the right. The couple used it for the moitze at their wedding and showed it off to all of their guests. It is embroidered and quilted with a hanging tube on the rear so that it doubles as a wall hanging.
What a wonderful memory of a wonderful wedding for your favourite bridal couple, B'nai Mitzvot, housewarming or Anniversary celebrants.
Contact Marilyn the Tallitmaaven to commission a very special challah cover or other item. The unique challah cover may coordinate with exquisite bone china, décor, invitations, or other meaningful symbol. 5775
LEFT: The Toronto Bat Mitzvah girl's invitations were bright pink with white butterflies. The guest wanted to give a special gift and commissioned a challah cover that kept the spirit of the Bat Mitzvah with a front of embroidered butterflies. The lining is a challah cover unto itself with the late Pavel Friedmann's poem, I NEVER SAW ANOTHER BUTTERFLY, embroidered in a typed font as it would be, if typed in the early 1940's. To discuss a special gift of a themed challah cover, contact the TALLITmaaven.
LEFT: Navy blue silk challah cover with silk embroidery. It's a classic beauty. Created for a family with blue hues in their home.
ABOVE: Autumn hues of North America on the challah cover intended to celebrate our colourful North American Autumn. Leaves are colourful and similar to actual colours. Leaf veins are gold to give a sparkle to your Shabbat and Holyday table. Contact Marilyn
RIGHT: Stunning, simple elegance in hand-dyed royal purple challah cover with a striking floral spray, Created to coordinate with a Bat Mitzvah invitation as a wonderful Bat Mitzvah memory for a very special young lady.
LEFT: Watercolour quilted challah cover created for a 2012 bride. The wedding guest gave the bride this website and told her to choose any challah cover that was here. If there were any changes, to let the wedding guest know so that it could be arranged. The bride chose the watercolour quilted challah cover and requested yellow Hebrew lettering and a yellow binding around the challah cover. The newlyweds use their wedding challah cover weekly and have continually told the wedding guest how much they love it and think of her when they use it.
If you would like to please a Jewish wedding couple, contact Marilyn to discussa very special, personalized gift from the heart.
ABOVE: RIGHT: Stunning, simple elegance in hand-dyed royal purple challah cover with a striking floral spray, Created to coordinate with a Bat Mitzvah invitation as a wonderful Bat Mitzvah memory for a very special young lady. This challah cover is a wonderful reminder of her very special day.
