Arella Whirls – Commission at Sinai

"Arella Whirls" is a papercut commission made for Stephanie Swedlove to mark her conversion to Judaism, the culmination of a ten-year journey.

Torah and Talmud tell us that all Jews were at Sinai at Revelation, to accept the Torah and the covenant with God. All Jewish souls, into the future, today and tomorrow, by birth and by choice, and so on (Talmud Shevuot 39a and Shemot Rabbah 28:6). This papercut is built around Stephanie’s presence at Sinai, even as she now takes the final steps in the conversion process. Judaism also teaches us that all humanity deserves respect and justice, reinforced for us when we were slaves in Egypt, a story which we retell every year at Passover (and continually throughout our lives). This is connected to Stephanie’s drive for justice, trust, and community. This half of her story is represented with our people’s redemption, shown in the parting of the Sea of Reeds, with a path leading to Sinai.

The foundation is made of the purple costume worn by super hero Stephanie Brown, known as Spoiler – it’s where the journey starts. Up through the parted waters, which feature Arrowverse heroes (such as Felicity from Arrow, representing Stephanie’s analytic mind). “Tomorrow” references the teaching that all Jewish souls, past and present, are “right here.” Beyond/above the waves are verses from Devarim/Deuteronomy 29: 9-14, in which we read about all the people and future generations standing at Sinai in acceptance of the covenant.

In front of Mount Sinai we have the Teen Titans, with the voice of the Divine echoing around them. The lightning of God’s voice (based on a Hebrew pun in Shemot/Exodus 20:15) is made of another hero from the Arrowverse, the Flash, and in the clouds that swirl around the mountain like the smoke from a kiln (Shemot/Exodus 19:18) comic captions read “Arella Whirls” and “Arella Turns,” reflecting the joyous dancing of the Israelites after the crossing of the Sea and in acceptance of the Torah. And of course, Arella is Stephanie’s chosen Hebrew name – reflected as well in the shape of Mt. Sinai, an abstract aleph.

Comics in the papercut include:

• Batgirl Annual #3 (January 2015)
• Batman: Huntress/Spoiler #1 (May 1998)
• Blackest Night: The Flash #1 (February 2010)
• Gotham Underground #2 (January 2008)
• Justice League of America #46 (August 2010)
• Shazam: Power of Hope (November 2000)
• The New Teen Titans #2 (October 1984), #4 (January 1985)
• Teen Titans #6 (May 2017)

Paper Midrash in Lafayette (no, not the one from Hamilton)

Just wanted to quickly post a few photos from our Paper Midrash residency at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, California. Rabbi Shawna and I gave a visual sermon on "People of the Comic Book" and we used our "Paper T'filah Visual T'filah" for Friday night services, had an oneg Shabbat scavenger hunt with some of my work, led an adult papercutting workshop, and even had the religious school get into the fun with our exclusive "Fold-and-Cut Torah" lesson plan!

"Paper T'filah Visual T'filah" in Erev Shabbat services

Oneg Shabbat Scavenger Hunt

Making Paper Midrash with Rabbi Shawna

Rabbi Nicki Greninger made Paper Midrash in our workshop

We had a great group in our adult papercutting workshop

Paper Midrash made by Karen, a workshop participant

Paper Midrash made by Nathan, workshop participant

Paper Midrash made by Rabbi Greninger

Making Art and Talking Comics at Yavneh Day School

Rabbi Shawna and I had the privilege of visiting Yavneh Day School this week, where we we led a Paper Midrash workshop with their arts students and spoke at their Open House event.

The students we worked with are fortunate to be at Yavneh, where arts and "traditional" education go hand-in-hand. And since what we do is explore traditional Jewish texts through art, Paper Midrash was a perfect fit for their program.

Some of the students already had experience using knives for art, and it showed in their work.

We exploring the Torah portion of the week – Beshallach – which includes the parting of the Sea of Reeds, the Pillars of Cloud and Fire, some Egypt and Moses, a little Amalek and the desert... quite a lot of text to explore with some new midrash.

Rabbi Shawna put together a study sheet to help spark some ideas, and boy! did it ever.

Detail featuring figures caught up in the parting sea.

Detail of a timbrel filled with musical scenes from an Archie comic.

And after they had completed their work (as usual) we had a teach-back session, where all of the students shared their midrash and taught their classmates about the midrash they explored in their art.

That night their work was displayed at the Open House (along with some other wonderful projects); everyone was impressed with what they'd created.

Add we were pleased to deliver a presentation on "Comic Books and Holy Books" for all of the Open House attendees.

Song of the Sea: Paper Midrash at B'nai Tzedek

We just led another fabulous Paper Midrash papercutting workshop – this time at Congregation B'nai Tzedek in Fountain Valley, California.

This is the kind of fun stuff you get when you bring us in to speak to your community.

Rabbi Shawna and I taught a little bit about midrash, and Beshalach in particular (which includes Shirat HaYam, the Song of the Sea) – and then we gave a room full of people knives and told them to have fun (basically).

Here we are, unphotogenically presenting on midrash and comic books.
Photo by Rabbi David Young

Rabbi Shawna teaching some workshop participants as they get started with their projects.
Photo by Rabbi David Young

Isaac showing some workshop participants how it's done.
Photo by Rabbi David Young

Sorting through comics, looking for just the right ones.

Participants cutting paper underneath a few of Isaac's works in a "pop-up" gallery space.

CBT's Rabbi David Young getting a handle on his knife skills.

Final workshop papercut with the rod of Moses.

The women, singing and dancing as the sea parts.

A close-up look at a final papercut.

The tribes marching along in the parted waves.

Final workshop papercut featuring an angel's wing.

This papercut features a sequence of the waves parting, and "Moshe" in Hebrew.

Final workshop papercut, with a musical theme.

Close-up look at this musical paper midrash.

The Sea of Reeds, parted by the rod of Moses.

Miriam's timbrel raised in joyous song

We end all of our workshops with a "teach-back session."

Another musical midrash inspired by Beshallach.

"I am that I am."

Rabbi David Young sharing his final papercut with the group.

Sometimes workshop participants explore other themes – in this case, Abraham breaking the idols.

Rabbi David Young's final paper midrash, with the rod of Moses emblazoned with the name of God.

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man: with great power...

The whole CBT workshop group with their final papercuts.