Bar Mitzvah
One passage in Soren's Torah portion, Vayak'heil-P'kudei, stood out as we began looking for a decorative motif for the invitation.
Our version of the almond-blossom motif is based on a 14th-century Catalonian illuminated bible, which depicts the ritual vessels used in the Mishkan. The style of the illustration reminded us of handmade objects and the way individual artists and craftspeople leave their mark on our cultural heritage.
The invitation was a collaborative effort by Soren's dad, Michael, who drew the motif and set the type, and by Soren and his mom, Ursula, who worked on arranging the elements. The folks at Paperless Post helped us apply the virtual gold foil. We also want to thank Dave McIntosh from McIntosh Embossing for sharing our enthusiasm for the project and translating our digital invitation to print.
Chapter 37:17-19 describes the almond blossom motif on the seven-branch lampstand used in the tabernacle.
He made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand—its base and its shaft—of hammered work; its cups, calyxes, and petals were of one piece with it. Six branches issued from its sides: three branches from one side of the lampstand, and three branches from the other side of the lampstand. There were three cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on one branch; and there were three cups shaped like almond-blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on the next branch; so for all six branches issuing from the lampstand.
The invitation was a collaborative effort by Soren's dad, Michael, who drew the motif and set the type, and by Soren and his mom, Ursula, who worked on arranging the elements. The folks at Paperless Post helped us apply the virtual gold foil. We also want to thank Dave McIntosh from McIntosh Embossing for sharing our enthusiasm for the project and translating our digital invitation to print.