Jennifer Cross Gans was a good friend and a good Christian. She was an example of optimism, perseverance and love. She had strong opinions and could be impatient—in a wonderfully persistent way. She was creative and artistic—a writer, a jeweler, a singer. I am honored and grateful to say that I’ve had a long road with Jenny. One of my…
For those of us who wish for peace and environmental health in the world, news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is crushing. The people of the world have been through so much these last two years. What gives Putin the right to drive his forces into peaceful cities and destroy the lives of innocent people? With my background as…
As a Jew in America, and a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, I am angered when others define my race as white. In fact, many Jews are not white— and yet some people, especially in the US as opposed to Europe, think it’s ok to define “our race” as white because many have white skin, and therefore benefit from white…
Thanks to the American Guild of Judaic Art and Art and Scroll Studios, here’s a link to the livestream about my art. Watch at your leisure. Information about it below: From Shelley Werner of Art and Scroll Studio “Aimee’s art, powerful in artistic vision and purpose, is imbued with remembrance and Jewish heritage. Her craftsmanship blends the strength of metal with…
It’s not everyday that I get a call from a world-renowned retailer like Sotheby’s. So when they called to see if I would like to participate in their Modern Menorahs: A Celebration of Lights show, I was honored. The works will be available online for a limited time. Thank you Sotheby’s for including my work!
Hebrew Shin Torah Finials, silver, 23K gold, 13.5” x 9.5” 3.5” Photo By: emiko oye The Hebrew Shin Torah Finials symbolize the power and beauty of creation—Oneness in the Universe—hearing light, creating connectivity and partnership, drawing forth restoration, sharing wisdom and consolation. I like to think of Shin in terms of Shaddai— which is one of the ways we…
I was recently commissioned to create a special piece of jewelry for Rabbi Shana Chandler Leon of Congregation Ner Tamid, in San Francisco, CA. This gift was to be symbolic of Mussar, the universal Jewish Spiritual Path, that dates back to 10th-Century Babylonia. Her students wanted to thank her for teaching this special way of engendering purpose, meaning and spiritual…
I’d like to introduce Anousha Mohsenidarabi, our metal arts studio assistant. Anousha is a soft-spoken, unique individual, and an award-winning artist. She grew up in a liberal, progressive Muslim family in Mashhad, Iran. Her family business is custom paint manufacture, where she worked for many years, surrounded by the technicalities of color. At the University of Azad in Mashhad, Iran,…
I am pleased to introduce a new series of mezuzot– called ‘Waves of Love.‘ The design was inspired by our dear Rabbi– Danny Gottlieb, who is becoming Rabbi Emeritus– at our temple, Beth Israel Judea. Rabbi Gottlieb has meant a lot to me personally. He was never too busy to speak with me about my Judaica, Jewish teachings or personal…
Since the beginning of my life– long before I turned to metal art for expression, I knew that we were lucky to be alive. And, I felt tasked with carrying on Jewish traditions in the face of anti-semitism. Growing up Jewish in Los Angeles, every year at our annual Passover seder, our Holocaust Surviving grandmother and grandfather would raise a…
In 2020 I was hard at work on Art for Prayer and Peace: A Bridge to Oneness. I’ve attached three different ways I shared and performed my mission. There are more examples, if you sift through my blog– you’ll see. Bridging the Religious Divide though Art Sharing the Torah at the San Francisco Waldorf High School All About Mezuzahs and…
The upcoming holiday of Tu B’Shevat celebrates the end of winter, the coming of spring and most importantly, it celebrates trees. It is customary to plant trees and eat food which comes from trees during this holiday. The ‘Tree of Life’ is a metaphor often used in Judaism to describe our most sacred book– the Torah. The tree is used…