Mazal Tov!

Torah binders – long strips of fabric bound around the Torah scroll to keep it closed when not in use – were made from the swaddling cloths of a newborn baby. After the circumcision ceremony, the fabric was cut into segments that were sewn together to form a long sash, which was embellished with painted or embroidered inscriptions and images and donated to the synagogue.

The binders were mostly hidden from the eye, as the Torah scroll was covered by a sumptuous mantle. They are presented here in their full length, revealing each of their inscriptions and decorative motifs.

Enhancing the display are other objects connected to the passage from childhood to adulthood – including an impressive selection of illuminated marriage contracts (ketubbot). The broad range of communities represented through these objects emphasizes the shared values that bind the Jewish people together.

The exhibition was made possible by