I have always been fascinated with handcrafts, whether it be bead work, fabric art, ceramics, or simple handmade objects. Thanks to extensive traveling for many years during my career as a designer, I used whatever free time I had to fuel my love of art and crafts by visiting museums, craft exhibitions, and flea markets. These visits have not only provided me with limitless inspiration but also deepened my appreciation of the endless messages which have been communicated by handcrafts throughout history. The art of quilting exemplifies this.
A timeless tradition
The history of quilting – the stitching together of layers of fabric and padding – may date back as far as ancient Egypt. For much of its history, quilting was primarily a functional and practical technique which was used to provide physical protection and insulation. With time, it evolved into a method of storytelling and a means of documenting history, as well as providing protection and comfort during times of hardship.
Quilting developed another function in early colonial America, that of social interaction. The quilting bee was a gathering where women got together to socialize and quilt and was a way of interacting within the community. Today, we appreciate that each quilt tells a story which is more than just the sum of its parts.
I recently chanced to hear of a quilting endeavor which crossed the oceans to bring comfort and express solidarity with Israel and the evacuees of Kibbutz Be’eri during the current crisis.
A dear friend, who lives in Los Angeles and traveled to Israel a few months ago, mentioned that in addition to her own luggage, she had taken with her three duffel bags filled with quilts. This was in response to an ad in her local newspaper calling for volunteers traveling to Israel who would be prepared to act as couriers. My friend arrived safely in Israel and was met at the airport by veteran Israeli quilter Gail Solomon, to whom she handed over the quilts. Intrigued to learn more about the project, I tracked down and contacted Gail Solomon. A conference call with her and fellow Israeli quilter and fiber artist Cindy Richard revealed that this was a private project not affiliated to any organization but began thanks to Cindy’s personal initiative.
Almost a year ago, Cindy posted the following message on Facebook calling for support for the project: “Join us in supporting the community of Kibbutz Be’eri. Kibbutz families will be moving together to interim housing for the first time since October 7. Be part of a special quilting project where 250 single or double quilts will be given to each family as a house-warming gift. “
Quilters, unite!
Cindy continued to circulate this message, while Gail appealed to quilt guilds in North America and around the globe. The rest, as they say, is history. The project attracted responses from countless fellow quilters, Jewish and Christian, as far afield as Hawaii, Florida, San Diego, California, Oklahoma, New Jersey, New York, Guatemala, and Australia! The safe transportation of the quilts to Israel became an immense challenge which required networking from afar and, in most cases, was undertaken by volunteers. Upon arrival, several quilts were discovered to have written messages of support attached to them and, in some cases, an envelope containing financial donations to help cover the costs of transportation. To date, the initiative has received over 350 quilts, and a further batch is on its way.
Viewing the quilts, one could correctly assume that each quilt-maker had spent endless hours piecing and stitching the fabric components together to create the quilt. Add to that the time spent planning and designing each section, and the resulting quilt can only be described as a labor of love!
As of now, several families have returned to Kibbutz Be’eri, while many other evacuees from Be’eri have moved in part to temporary housing in Kibbutz Hatzerim in the Negev. Last week, I traveled to Kibbutz Hatzerim and was fortunate to be present at a gathering when many of these members of Be’eri were gifted with quilts made specially for this project. Many of the quilts were veritable works of art, exquisitely detailed and beautifully executed. Others used traditional designs pieced together in glorious color schemes, but all had in common that they were an expression of support and solidarity which transcended race, religion, and distance.
A flourishing quilting community
This moving event led me to contact Judy Schwartz, chairperson of the Israel Quilters Association (IQA), to learn more about the Israeli quilting scene. She described how since its inception in 1982, the IQA has played a major role in promoting quilting in Israel. Its extensive activities, coupled with growing Israeli interest in textile arts, have firmly placed this traditional art form in the spotlight.
Contemporary quilting has advanced significantly. By combining mixed media with cutting-edge technology, new creative possibilities have emerged and greatly contributed to the current resurgence of the popularity of quilting in Israel and internationally. The IQA members range from skilled veterans to avid beginners. In addition, several members are fabric artists who have turned their passion for patchwork and quilting into a full-time profession.
In true quilting tradition, Israeli quilters continue to meet in intimate groups in their communities from the north to south of Israel to exchange information and ideas, learn new techniques, share tips, and to socialize. Community and charity projects are often brought to the table as group members pool their creativity, quilting talents, and resources for the benefit of others.
I recently visited veteran quilter Terry Mowzowski in her Ra’anana studio, which is equipped with a state-of-the-art “long arm” quilting machine and an emporium of exquisite fabrics waiting to be selected for the next quilt. The prolific group the Accent Quilters to which she belongs meets regularly and was about to complete its latest batch of creative quilts lovingly and expertly made by Terry, Carol Smith, Zvia Klein, and other industrious and devoted members of the group. Over time, their beautiful quilts have provided comfort to lone soldiers, evacuees, women in shelters, and newborn babies in neonatal intensive care units across Israel. Similar projects have been carried out in other quilting groups throughout the country.
The IQA offers its members a wide range of activities, including inspirational workshops and stimulating lectures by Israeli and international quilting experts. When COVID reared its head, Zoom workshops and lectures sponsored by the IQA provided a solution for quilters no longer able to meet face to face due to the pandemic. Thankfully that period is now history, but the Zoom workshops have continued, enabling the world of quilting to reach an even wider audience.
The IQA’s sponsored exhibitions have generated much interest and enthusiasm in Israeli art circles and attract wide audiences from all over the country. It comes as no surprise that many of the recent artworks reflect the challenges of contemporary life in Israel. Gail Soloman’s poignant quilt of the Bibas family titled “Where Is My Beautiful Family?” is a case in point.
Many Israeli quilters have made their mark in international exhibitions. Among them is quilt artist Shulamit Ron, who derives much of her inspiration from Jewish tradition and heritage. Her quilted objects of Judaica such as parochets (Holy Ark curtains), Torah mantles, and wedding canopies are exceptional in their design and technical perfection.
Tikkun olam (“repairing the world”) is a concept deeply rooted in Jewish values. No two people on this planet are the same, but there is one thing that we all share, and that is our responsibility to repair the world and create a more just society. Even the smallest acts of kindness can have a ripple effect and help to create a more compassionate world. We each have a reason and a purpose for being here, and part of that purpose is to use our unique strengths and talents to make a positive impact, one stitch at a time.
The annual exhibition of the Israel Quilters’ Association will take place this year from March 2 to April 30 at the Jerusalem Theatre. Thereafter, it will be on display at Heichal Hatarbut in Petah Tikva for the month of May.■
For further information about the IQA, visit its website: www.israelquilt.org.il. For inquiries, contact Iquilt@gmail.com.
The writer is a fashion and textile designer, lecturer and bead artist and is a resident of Ra’anana. Her bead artistry has gained international recognition.