In the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre—a day when the chilling call to ‘Globalize Intifada’ was tragically realized—there was no room for joy. We were burdened by a profound sense of heaviness and sickness. But amidst the sorrow, we conceived a plan: to create a magnificent menorah, a light to summon Jewish joy and pride back into a world…
Collaboration often opens doors to new techniques and ways of seeing. Working with Lisa on the Tree of Life sculpture reminded me that art is as much about relationships and process as it is about the final piece. It’s a joy to share the story behind this work. Over a year ago, I received a phone call from my friend…
Dear Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon Ono, I recently read your biography and was deeply moved by your extraordinary life and work. Your ability to imagine and create groundbreaking art in the face of adversity is a profound inspiration. As a 51-year-old artist, married to a fellow artist, and a Jewish woman—granddaughter of Holocaust survivors—I feel a strong pull to…
Naming G-d in The World to Come By: Aimee Golant Casella Author’s Note: One way I survive difficult times is to use my imagination to postulate the world I want to live in. This piece is a personal reflection on how we might begin to prepare our hearts and minds for The World to Come—an era of peace, unity, and…
What If We Chose to Love the Jews? Jewish Sacred Art as a Path Toward Peace By: Aimee Golant Casella Antisemitism is on the rise. Again. The horrific events of October 7th and their aftermath have torn open old wounds and exposed a surge of hatred. Jews are being slandered, misconstrued, and dehumanized. Our symbols, our values, our very humanity…
One-of-a-kind “Book of Life” Box Sculpture By: Aimee Golant and David Casella with calligraphy by: Lisa Rauchwerger Commissioned by The Brandeis School of San Francisco In honor of the retirement of Debby Arzt-Mor 2.5″ x 4″ 1.25″ Sterling Silver and Copper 2025 The Book — open showing the outer cover — hand formed by David Casella in Sterling silver. The…
For more than 25 years, I’ve poured my soul into creating Jewish ceremonial art—mezuzot, menorahs, works rooted in holiness and heritage. Not just to preserve memory, but to bring healing. To shine light. To share the sacred with the world. I’ve believed—still believe—that the “House of Israel” isn’t just for Jews. It’s meant to uplift all of humanity. That…
Forging Peace with Metal art & Judaica I am the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors on my mother’s side and a sixth-generation metal artist. My grandfather was a precision tool and die maker—he built the machines that candle companies used to make light. That image resonates with me: even in dark times, my family was creating the very tools to bring…
Here’s the link to find an Action near YOU! The Day of Action is being sponsored by 136 partner organizations. You know many of them. National and local organizations are uniting across the country to make Hands Off!, a national mass activation to speak out against the Trump-Musk billionaire takeover and the Republican assault on our freedoms and our communities. Hands Off! is an all-in…
I wanted to highlight three non-profit organizations that are doing the work to create peace in Israel-Palestine. I support them because they are reinforcing universal humanistic and peaceful values. They need and deserve our support. 1.) Hand in Hand Schools K-12: Hand in Hand is building inclusion and equality between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel through a growing…
As we all well know, peace is the only way forward. Violence and war only provide temporary quiet– but not what we universal human beings really want. I’d like to share with you a life-changing story from my youth. When was 15 years old in 1989 I visited Israel on an Ulpan Trip for two months with about 150 kids…
Regarding “SFUSD school closures: What every family needs to know” (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Oct. 7): The photo published online (since deleted) and on Page A7 of the Oct. 9 print edition with this story highlights a protester holding a sign that reads “MONEY FOR EDUCATION NOT FOR OCCUPATION.” This choice of image blatantly perpetuates antisemitic rhetoric by falsely connecting U.S.…