Artists

Oli Boyer is a transgender queer artist based out of Philadelphia that works in illustration and sculpture. Follow them on Instagram.

Cards:
Insight- Binah – בִּינָה 
Passion – Lahat – לַהַט

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Rabbi Debra Cantor is a mixed media artist and teacher of Torah who finds joy in the intersection of these two passions. She is a Creative Facilitator for the Jewish Studio Process.

Cards and artist’s note:
Dance – Rikud – רִקּוּד
Considering alternative paths may seem to lead nowhere, but in the end that circuitous route provides the means to zero in on a final decision.
Dreams – Chalomot – חֲלוֹמוֹת
What wakes us up? Light? The possibility of growth, of climbing upward rung by rung? 
Return – Teshuvah – תְּשׁוּבָה
Despite the swirling chaos of our daily lives, a pattern emerges, spiraling outward and inward, returning to Source.

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Cathleen Cohen is a teacher, poet, painter, and artist in the Philadelphia area who created the We the Poets program for children in the Philadelphia area through the nonprofit ArtWell.  She loves teaching poetry and painting workshops to students of all ages. Her artwork is on view at Cerulean Arts Gallery.

Cards and artist’s note:
Breath – Neshimah – נְשִׁימָה
This image connects to lightness in the seedlings of dandelion clocks and of lightness in the air and sun.
Calm – Roga – רוֹגַע
This text is from Tomer Devorah, which we delved into when studying Mussar, striving to maintain equanimity when confronted with our own fears and desires in relationship to others and to the Divine.
Structure – Keva – קֶבַע
There is so much structure in the natural world, much variability of structure. But it undergirds so much.

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Donna Coufal is a psychologist during most of the week and a painter on Friday mornings. She and her  friends agree on locations (usually at the last minute) and spend the morning soaking in beautiful and interesting places around Pittsburgh.

Cards and artist’s note:
Friendship – Re’ut – רֵעוּת
Created in a local coffee shop.
Wisdom – Chochmah – חָכְמָה
It was created near a local cemetery pond.

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Sapphira Edgarde is a Jewish educator and artist who creates space for imagination, meaning, and connection. She is the founder of Sovev, a community mikveh in the making, bringing ancient ritual to modern Jewish life.

Cards:
Home – Bayit – בַּיִת
Sweetness – Metikut – מְתִיקוּת
Vision – Chazon – חָזוֹן

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Deborah Eisenbach-Budner‘s bio is listed above.

Cards and artist’s note:
Intention – Kavanah – כַּוָּנָה
Image from 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia of Yadayim (hands), Torah pointers.
Questions – She’elot – שְׁאֵלוֹת
This papercut was first printed in the Spring 1991 issue of Bridges: A Journal for Jewish Feminists and Our Friends.  
Resilience – Chizuk – חִזּוּק
This pomegranate bush endured through fire and ice, and persists.

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Lev Eisenbach-Budner likes to make functional things that are pleasing to look at, especially out of wood, textiles, and metal. He picked MALACHIM most Friday nights of his life, with his family, and they have become an integral part of Lev’s Judaism, sense of SHABBOS, and the rhythm of the week. He is honored to be part of this community project.

Cards and artist’s note:
Community – Kehillah – קְהִלָּה
These spoons were handmade using different types of wood, including 6,000 year old “bog oak,” oak logs that fell into swamps in ireland thousands of years ago and slowly turned black from the mud. Some of these I kept, some I gave to family and friends. I also started a spoon carving group that has become a community.
Pleasure – Nachat – נַחַת
Making this felt hat was a true pleasure, it lives next to my bed!

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Tamir Eisenbach-Budner lives in Portland, Oregon. He grew up pulling two Malachim cards every Shabbat dinner with his family and is excited to participate in the communal creation of this new set.

Cards and artist’s note:
Connection – Kesher – קֶשֶׁר
I drew this picture based on my experience in a college class held in a prison with incarcerated students. The class felt like a rare refuge of beauty amidst a lot of bleakness. This picture aims to convey the electrifying power of two people sharing their authentic selves. 
Devotion – Avodah – עֲבוֹדָה
This was originally made to publicize a Reproductive Justice Art and Activism Fair in our synagogue.

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Diane Fredgant is pulling inspiration from Jewish texts, the natural world, and conversation. Portland, OR based artist Diane Fredgant mixes holiness and beauty in her art. Visit her website. 

Cards:
Abundance – Shefa – שֶׁפַע
Awe – Yirah – יִרְאָה
Laughter – Tzechok – צְחֹק

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Om Green is a multidisciplinary artist from the Southeastern USA.  She is the founder of Beit Mayim and The Pomegranate Tent Collective. Follow her on Instagram. 

Cards and artist’s note:
Delight – Oneg – עֹנֶג
I chose to focus on soft and bright imagery to give the viewer permission to experience enjoyment for the sake of enjoyment – and evoke thoughts of what simple things bring them happiness.
Trust – Emunah – אֱמוּנָה
I was drawn to confidence as a spiritual practice that teaches us to take chances and have trust that what we are building is real, even if we can’t understand what that is yet.

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Sue Gurland paints to convey the spirit that animates all of Creation and underlies the interconnection of all Beings.  Sue is inspired by Nature and animals whose soul shines through their eyes. Visit her website. 

Cards and artist’s note:
Spaciousness – Merchav – מֶרְחָב
White cranes are symbols of peace and this bird, with its wings extended, spans the whole earth or cosmos as she flies. The colors are also peaceful and meditative.
Wholeness – Shleimut – שַׁלֵּמוּת
The Hebrew reads, “A river flows from Eden to water the Garden and divides into four branches.” (Gen. 2:10) It waters the four corners of the Earth.  To me, this illustrates the abundance of Creation that is continually renewing itself and sustaining all Beings.

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Claire Helman is an artist and a poet. Her work is inspired by the earth and the sea, and the places where they meet, and is rooted in Jewish folk practices, sacred texts, stories, ritual, prayer and song. Follow her on Instagram.

Cards and artist’s note:
Awakening – Hitorerut – הִתְעוֹרְרוּת 
This is a many layered piece. It portrays my own awakenings from periods of withdrawal from Shechinah and from the world, to periods of awareness of truth and a sense of connection. 
Clarity- Tohar – טוֹהַר
Clarity comes from within, and is often fleeting. The forms in this piece were inspired by birds in flight at Titchwell Nature Reserve, North Norfolk, England. Their silhouettes and movements clear for all to see.  

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Nancy Kohl is a retired Jewish educator who is thrilled to be a student exploring creativity through various mediums.

Cards and artist’s note:
Solidarity – Achdut – אַחְדוּת
For me the shape and its lace-like structure represent potential and hope.
Growth – Hitkadmut – הִתְקַדְּמוּת
I love bookbinding and also making little cutout books in which I combine drawing, painting, and papercutting. The rounded shapes I painted reminded me of endless cycles dancing across the pages.

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Rabbi Janet Madden PhD is a ritualist, writer, fiber artist, and teacher of Torah. She is a passionate quilter, dedicated gardener, and an ordained Animal Chaplain. She also enjoys handweaving and embroidery. 

Cards and artist’s note:
Balance – Tiferet – תִּפְאֶרֶת
Photo taken in my milkweed Monarch butterfly habitat garden.
Protection – Hashgachah – הַשְׁגָּחָה
Handquilting is a practice that cultivates patience as the quilter must mindfully place the needle so as to penetrate all three layers of fabric and also keep the stitches fairly uniform as the design emerges.

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Lifelong learner in photography, Jonathan Magaziner loves taking pictures of people he loves.

Card and artist’s note:
Continuity – Netzach – נֶצַח
Lifelong friends standing in front of painting by Joe Gopen, father of friend on the left.

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Hilary Marcus, formerly a documentary photographer, now exclusively uses her iPhone, the other cameras stored away. She is most often found in Boston’s Arnold Arboretum, although past world travels still fill her visual memory bank. Visit her website.

Cards and artist’s note:
Love – Ahavah – אַהֲבָה
Moments of quiet so sweet with this vocal hound, a rescue who needs a lot of love.
Renewal – Hithadshut – הִתְחַדְּשׁוּת
Oregon Coast renewal
Shabbat – Shabbat – שַׁבָּת
Door County, Wisconsin

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Léah Miller lives in Philly and is studying to be a rabbi at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. They’re a crafter of mended denim, knit creatures, Judaica and jewelry, liturgical music, blessings, and theatrical lighting. 

Cards and artist’s note:
Roots – Shorashim – שָׁרָשִׁים
This piece explores the double meaning of shoresh — both organic tree roots and linguistic hebrew roots intertwine, with the form of the yud acting as root-connecting material. 
Tradition – Masoret – מָסֹרֶת
The tzitzit on the corners of our garments serve as holy reminders of the tradition we bind ourselves to.

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Debbie Plawner is the author of Illuminated Paths, a forthcoming book and companion deck that brings Torah wisdom to life through the language of color. It offers tools for reflection, self-discovery, and reconnecting with the light within. Visit the website. 

Cards and artist’s note:
Blessing – Brachah – בְּרָכָה
A kind gesture, a quiet moment, or the taste of fruit on your tongue — each is a blessing. When we attune ourselves to these everyday gifts, we awaken a deeper awareness of life’s abundance.
Humility – Anavah – עֲנָוָה 
When we spend time in nature, we remember we are not apart from the world, but a part of it. Humility is living that truth by offering our unique light in service to the whole.

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Amy Pollack is a graphic designer who has recently ventured into making her own art. Often inspired by her garden, her work includes mixed media collage, watercolor and printmaking. Visit the website.

Cards and artist’s note:
Hope – Tikvah – תִּקְוָה
The world is torn but we still hope.
Patience – Savlanut – סַבְלָנוּת
I am a gardener. Waiting for a bud to open requires patience. Then, beauty unfolds before your eyes.

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Julián Jamaica Soto loves Torah and engages in art making as a means of deeper reflection. Follow on Substack.

Card and artist’s note:
Healing – Refuah – רְפוּאָה
This piece invites reflection on the beauty of the healing of the human body.

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Susan Spector is a brain tumor survivor. The curse of this diagnosis alchemized into a blessing through neuroart and Susan’s tumor became a portal to Jewish renewal and spirituality.

Cards and artist’s note:
Gratitude – Hodayah – הוֹדָיָה
Each canvas begins as a grainy gray image of my brain from one of many MRI scans. 
Lovingkindness – Chesed – חֶסֶד
Each canvas begins as a grainy gray image of my brain from one of many MRI scans. 

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Cydnee Weber is a visual artist working primarily in acrylic painting, with a growing portfolio of digital work. Largely self-taught, they began their artistic journey through a handful of classes growing up and continue to develop their style through personal exploration and practice. Visit their website.

Card and artist’s note:
Courage – Ometz Lev – אֹמֶץ לֵב
This painting of Miriam’s hand is meant to evoke a sense of mystery—what she’s reaching for, what she carries, or what moment she’s caught in is left intentionally open. 

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Karen Webber, teaching and liturgical artist, crafts spoken word and music/theatre pieces performed in senior centers, college classrooms and on the bimah and has been awarded a Creativity grant and a Yiddish folksong grant by The Maryland State Arts Council.  Her poems, essays and rituals are found in Lilith Magazine, Am Yisrael Chai, and Prophetic Voices: a new Haftorah commentary, among others. Vessels of Light: inspirations from a spiritual landscape, is a recent book of photopoetry co-authored with Ellen Zimmerman and found on Amazon.

Card and artist’s note:
Song – Shirah – שִׁירָה
Blue notes and freygish scales leave my lips, but the souls of each prayer remain in my mouth.

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Leila Wice (she/her, Portland, OR) explores the arts of vernacular ritual by creating in a variety of media, ranging from clay, fiber, and printmaking to site-specific installations and participatory ceremonies. Her work is anchored in the body, and at once deeply personal and entwined in community. 

Cards and artist’s note:
Action – Ma’aseh – מַעֲשֶׂה
I did a run of 180 impressions of this print and posted and distributed them in the wake of the 2024 election.
Joy – Simchah – שִׂמְחָה
This beach is where I learned to float, and sometimes even fly.

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James M. Wilson Sr. is an artist who works in multiple mediums including, painting, sculpture, jewelry, and photography. His work explores elements of nature and the divine through aspects of sacred geometry, color and vibration. James is also a percussionist and soundscape designer.

Card and artist’s note:
Memory – Zikaron – זִכָּרוֹן
Two photographs juxtaposed. Stones line the top of Mort Webber’s grave site with vast sky above.

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Linda Zahavi‘s art is spiritually inspired, and the viewer is invited into their own experience. Using pastels and mixed media, Linda’s art is an invitation into your own story and connection with Spirit. 

Cards and artist’s note:
Destiny – Mazal – מַזָל
Playing with color, pure joy. 
Imagination – Dimyon – דִּמְיוֹן
Anything is possible with color. 
Spirit – Ruach – רוּחַ
It attempts to express the formless.