‘the world is sustained’ mantles

The Hebrew text is an abbreviated version of: “The world is sustained by three things: by Torah, by worship, by deeds of loving kindness.”

The spiritual references in the text appear amidst stylized symbols of civilization’s physical support system, such as the wheel, wind power (kite), columns. The Holy Day mantles continue the concept of physical and spiritual integration, while keeping the continuity of the design and textual meaning.

The supporting cloth for these mantles is a checker–weave, a traditional design for ritual garments.

There were 5 original mantles: 3 for daily use, with the outer 2 replaced for Holy Days. More scrolls were later acquired and the series was extended, keeping the art deco aesthetic of the original set.

While the “No man without a woman” chuppah for the same congregation is designed to melt into the backdrop of stained glass windows, the mantles needed to be a large visual presence.