By Bonnie Baron
SAN DIEGO — Ellen Berger will be among numerous artists and crafters at the Artisan Festival 2014 at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive on Sunday, Nov.2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Women for Reform Judaism has issued an invitation for the public to meet 55 exhibitors, including Berger who was originally a textile artist. Lately she has turned to using repurposed and recycled materials. When she’s not busy, she’s in thrift stores hunting down materials for her Judaica art. She takes such items as bowls, plates, wine glasses, etched plates and fluted dishes and combines and transforms them into unique Shabbat candlestick holders, display pieces and other treasures that will stand the test of time.
Special for the occasion of the Artisan Festival, the Temple Gift Shop at 6299 Capri Drive will have a sale with items priced at 50 percent of the regular price.
One of Berger’s eclectic jewelry bracelets is bedecked with such symbols as Stars of David, the Hamsa and the Tree of Life interspersed with beads of beautiful colors. She also creates safety pins for protection of children. Berger will be at her exhibitor table throughout the festival, telling about this tradition.
Berger says her art reflects her mother’s flair for taking clothing that most people would discard and making them into a fashion statement.
The artist worked for over 10 years at the Jewish Home in San Francisco where she revamped the gift shop into a Judaic showcase. She said she did it to give back to the Jewish Community.
The theme to Berger’s work is to find a way out of a traditional path. She pushes the boundaries.
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Baron is a freelance writer based in San Diego.
Ellen your work is exquisite meaningful and without a doubt a Statement of your skill and compassion. The Jewish Community and the general public are in for a rare treat through an artisan with vision in a unique form of art.
Our Love and Praise, we wish all the best to you:
John