Many of us have seen a lot of papercuts in the form of a Mizrach or Ketubah hanging on walls in Jewish homes. Papercutting is not something new to Jewish life. It began in the Middle Ages when in 1345 Rabbi Shem-Tov ben Yitzhak ben Ardutiel’s ink froze while he was writing a manuscript. A resourceful fellow, he did the next best thing – cut the letters into the paper. Around the 17th century, papercutting became a popular form for small religious artifacts like mizrachs, and guess what – Shavuot decorations too! By the 18th century, Eastern European Cheder and Yeshiva students were creating intricate lace patterns of flowers that they called Shavuoslekh (little Shavuot) which they displayed in the windows of their homes.
If you’re looking for a creative Shavuot classroom activity, this is it! Of course, no one expects you to come up with an intricate Shavuot papercut like the one above that I found on Google Images.
Try adapting these snowflake papercut instructions by transforming the flakes into flowers. Don’t wrinkle your nose and tell me to cut it out – you can do it!
Speaking of cutting it out, I know I can be a nudge, but don't forget to take advantage of this exclusive offer for TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG KIDS BOOKS readers. Kar-Ben Publishing is offering 10% off your next order at their online bookstore. Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.
That's all the cutting up for now.
Have a Chag Sameach...Tami
Shalom
ReplyDeleteI am very happy that you chose to show my father in law's paper cut at your blog.
You must add the name of the artist Ya'akov Ne'eman and his web site: www.papercuts.co.il
every time you want to publish an artist's work you must ask his permission
my email is ziporan@gmail.com
my tel: 972-52-225-7676
thank you
Zipora Ne'eman