I am thrilled to share a special project recently completed for Congregation B’nai Israel in Rockville, MD, in honor of their 100th Anniversary. To celebrate this centennial milestone, the congregation commissioned a custom mezuzah to be presented as a gift to donors of a certain level.
Working closely with committee members Gail and Randi, we developed a design that features the Hebrew words B’nai Yisrael—translated as “The People of Israel.”
The Creative Process: From Sketch to Metal
The journey began with a master original hand-crafted in copper and brass. After Gail, Randi, and I finalized the design—taking inspiration from my “Waves of Love” mezuzah—it was time to head to the workbench.
Piercing the Metal: I began by attaching my sketch to a sheet of brass and used a jeweler’s saw to pierce out the Hebrew lettering. As you can see in the photos, the blade is incredibly fine, allowing for extreme precision.
Refining the Details: After the initial cut, I spent hours filing and sanding the brass to ensure every curve of the calligraphy was smooth and elegant.
Building the Frame: Next, I constructed the copper frame that serves as the housing for the scroll.
The Joining of Metals: I silver-soldered the decorative brass lettering onto the copper frame. To create a unique visual element, I re-cut the lettering through the copper backing.
A Window into the Sacred: Traditionally, a mezuzah case entirely encloses the scroll. However, in this design, the pierced lettering acts as a window. This allows the observer to see the klaf (the hand-written parchment) inside, inviting us to admire the artistry of the scribe and ponder the meaning of the words within. Note: To protect the parchment in this open-style design, we recommend displaying the mezuzah indoors and keeping the scroll wrapped in a thin layer of waxed paper.
Sharing the Vision: The Pewter Edition To ensure this piece could be shared throughout the congregation, we created a mold from the original master. Each replica is now hand-cast in pewter and painstakingly finished by hand.
To date, we have shared 60 replicas with the Temple’s generous donors. Whether displayed on a doorpost or featured on a stand as a piece of contemporary Judaica, it serves as a beautiful reminder of a century of community.
All the Best,
Aimee Golant, Metal Art & Judaica
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