What is Judaica?
Judaica is simply a general term for historical and literary items with a connection to Judaism or Jewish culture and tradition. In 2022, there’s much less emphasis on literary material in the world of popular Judaica. Most people associate modern Judaica with ritual and religious objects like menorahs, Kiddush cups, Shabbat candlesticks and tefillin sets.
Contemporary Judaica actually includes a massive range of art, home decor tableware and silverware, designer jewelry with Jewish themes and also children’s toys. We’ll explore the amazing variety of Judaica style and where to buy both traditional and contemporary Judaica online.
What does Judaica Mean?
Judaica means works of art or craft with a Jewish theme. The word judaica is often confused with the Jewish religion or Judaism. This is mainly because a lot of judaica items are intended for ritual practice, either in a synagogue or at home during a Jewish holiday. Other religions and national cultures haven’t really produced an equivalent of judaica, which adds to the confusion.
Even many secular Jews are vague about the exact definition of Judaica and assume it’s a niche religious category. It’s a pity because modern Judaica includes some of the latest designs from contemporary Israeli artists. Judaica definitely has a strong connection to the Jewish religion and is a link to our ancient Jewish past – but that is really just the starting point.
Judaica 5 Key Points
- Judaica is not a religion or an aspect or the Jewish religion
- Judaica is not restricted to traditional ritual items for the synagogue or for Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
- Modern Judaica includes a huge range of art, home decor, designer jewelry, children’s products and toys, and baby items.
- The world’s best Judaica – traditional and contemporary – is handmade in Israel by expert silversmiths, designers and artists.
- Although Judaica is inspired by thousands of years of Jewish traditions and heritage, and still serves Jewish religious needs, much modern Judaica is accessible to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
What is Antique Judaica?
Antique Judaica is a simple term that causes a lot of confusion. Antique Judaica refers specifically to items of Judaica that were made in the past and are sometimes hundreds, or many hundreds of years old. Antique Judaica is typically found in museums and private collections and is sometimes sold at auction. Antique Judaica can sometimes command huge prices. The Lindo Lamp (a silver hanukkiah created in London in 1709) is valued at ￡300,000.
An antique is basically any old item that is valued for its age and comparative rarity, as well as for its beauty and any precious metals or gems used in its creation. Many people who want to buy Judaica confuse antique Judaica with reproduction Judaica and traditional Judaica.
What is Reproduction Judaica?
Reproduction Judaica is a modern imitation, remake or precise copy of an original item of antique Judaica. Unless it is sold as a genuine antique item, it is not a fraud. Reproduction Judaica is a wonderful tribute to a classic item and a great way to own a truly beautiful cultural item. Reproductions vary in quality and accuracy, from exact reproductions of specific museum pieces to inspired guesses or reproductions of general styles.
The cheapest reproduction Judaica is on sale in stalls and kiosks across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and every tourist site in Israel. The finest reproduction Judaica is available in the world’s most prestigious museum shops. You can buy top-quality reproduction Judaica online and enjoy an item of home decor that would be immediately recognizable to our distant Jewish ancestors.
What is Traditional Judaica?
There are no hard and fast rules about exactly what constitutes traditional Judaica. A simple clay or ceramic menorah might look like minimalist modern art. In fact, it is probably closer to the lamps used by ordinary people in Biblical Israel. When you’re dealing with a religion and people that have spanned millennia and inhabited the entire world, you define ‘traditional’ at your peril!
What does Judaica mean in History?
The ritual items of the temples in Jerusalem were also Judaica. The Tabernacle under Moses, King Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple continued exquisitely beautiful and expensive items of historical Judaica. Along with the household items of kings like Solomon and David, they arguably represented the peak of luxury design. It’s only in modern times that we’ve begun to rival historical items like the Seven Branched Candlestick and Altar of Incense of the ancient hekhal.
The insular Jewish diaspora communities of the Middle East and Europe built their communal lives around the synagogue and invested time, money and effort in judaica. These were portable treasures that could be packed up and hidden or carried away if the community was threatened. Judaica styles tended to evolve under local influences. Yemenite Jewish silverwork is famed for its elaborate silver filigree, and classic Middle Eastern style. Ashkenazi Judaica took on European influences, while modern Judaica is influenced by every culture and design style.
A brief history of Jews
What is Judaica Silver?
925 silver can be polished to a gleaming shine, which is a prerequisite for a Shabbat dinner or holiday dinner. One of the reasons why silver is so popular is that it looks amazing set over a crisp white linen tablecloth. A set of silver candlesticks or a Jewish candelabra with flickering beeswax candles can make the average dining table look more like a royal banqueting table. Traditionally crafted silver also has a traditional old-world look that can make a handmade silver dreidel or etrog box feel like a priceless antique.
How is Silver Judaica Decorated?
There are five main ways that silver judaica is decorated (apart from simple fine engraving). Skilled Jerusalem silversmiths can combine the different techniques to create truly beautiful ornamentation. Styles range from elegant, subtle decorations with simple silver beading, to bold and striking colored enamel inlays, or even anodized aluminum additions.
- Filigree
- Hammered
- Silver Solder
- Enamel Colors
- Gold Plating
Traditional Silver Filigree
Fine silver filigree work is the mark of a master craftsman like Avi Nadav. The skill isn’t just in working the silver into intricate patterns or lifelike designs, it’s understanding the item of Judaica and its unique proportions. Jerusalem is home to some of the world’s finest Jewish Yementite craftsmen who are third or fourth generation master silversmiths.
To see our full category of Filigree Decorations Products
Key Fact – Hammered Silver
People often confuse silver stamping with hammered silver. Hammered silver is a decorative effect where a series of repeated hammer blows precisely dent the surface of the silver until it has an almost scaled effect. The hammered silver looks older and can be said to glitter, rather than gleam in the light.
To see the full category and be impressed with all the Hammered Finish Products
Silver Solder Ornamentation
Silver solder is almost the reverse of stamping, instead of pressing a design into the surface of the silver, the artist permanently solders another smaller piece onto the main item. A master silversmith can take a basic item of Judaica and solder raised letters, Stars of David, or other decorations flawlessly into place. The finest craftsmen can solder tiny silver leaves and branches to an item until it appears to be real foliage.
Colored Enamel Colors
To see the full category and be impressed by all the Enamel products
Gold Plating for Cups
Gold plating isn’t just decorative. It’s an old technique for proofing the inside of cups and drinking vessels. Gold is a ‘neutral’ metal that will never affect the taste of wine or fine liqueur. A silver Kiddush cup or liquor set doesn’t just look beautiful when the inside is gold plated, it is superb to drink from. Netilat Yadayim sets can also be gold plated on the inside of the vessel. Even the finest silver can tarnish with daily use, and will require polishing. Gold never loses its shine.
Where to Buy Judaica Art?
If you want to buy Judaica art, and you aren’t in Israel, we recommend buying Judaica online from ICOJ. It’s the fastest and most convenient way to get high quality handmade Judaica that is made by Israeli artists and artisans. A lot of the Judaica on sale in tourist shops – and even boutiques, galleries and museum shops – is made in Turkey. A lot of online stores also sell Turkish made Judaica. They look good on a webpage, but aren’t crafted with the same love and passion as handmade Israeli Judaica – how could they be?
You’ll realize the difference in quality, design and finish when you compare foreign made Judaica to an item made in a Jerusalem workshop by a fourth generation Jewish silversmith. Every item on sale in the ICOJ is handmade in Israel and is a work of art that began with the artist’s personal vision.
Read Part Two of this blog post to learn more about contemporary Judaica, modern designs and styles, and the exciting and unusual materials that are used to create them.
