Jewish Joy Collection
“Designing Jewish Joy filled me with inspiration and happiness. It's great working with Vicky.”
Karijn Otjes
The Making of Jewish Joy
The Story of Jewish Joy
– From Concept to Table
Jewish Joy is the world’s first Damask linen tablecloth to tell a Jewish story and Damask Joy’s first original piece. After a great deal of thought (and possibly some overthinking), and planning and deliberation, we chose to start from the most basic and collective of Jewish stories, the story of Shabbat (the Sabbath). Intertwined with the symbols of Shabbat on the cloth are the flora of the Jewish homeland of Israel. The two themes flow together to articulate what it means to be a part of a Jewish family, regardless of where you are or what you believe.
The symbols of Shabbat,
the Jewish Day of Rest:
Roughly translated, Shabbat means ‘rest’. It is celebrated on the seventh day of every week in line with the Jewish lunar calendar, that begins Friday at sundown and ends 25 hours later. As with any religious practice, there are many levels of observation ranging from a complete seize of all activity, including electricity and fire, to a simple traditional family gathering and meal.
Shabbat officially begins when the mother of the family lights candles and says a prayer. Most Jewish mothers will have at least one pair of beautiful candelabras that will be kept shiny and protected until taken out each Friday before sunset.
The Shabbat meals are a traditional family gathering, much like the Sunday lunch celebrated in other cultures. One of the first steps in preparing for the meal will almost always be the laying of a formal tablecloth, usually white. Families will usually take out their best tableware or china.
The meal does not begin before everyone has gathered at the table to hear the head of the family deliver the Shabbat blessing called the Kiddush. The blessing gives thanks to God for his creation and for fruit of the vine (symbolized by wine).
The meal does not begin before everyone has gathered at the table to hear the head of the family deliver the Shabbat blessing called the Kiddush. The blessing gives thanks to God for his creation and for fruit of the vine (symbolized by wine).
The Challah is a braided, prepared especially for the Shabbat meals. Two Challahs are placed on the table under an elegant cover matching the tablecloth set. Once everyone has tasted the wine, the Challah bread is uncovered, blessed, and “bites” are torn off and handed out to each person at the table.
In almost every blessing and in biblical passages, Judaism makes note of the 7 species that bless the land of Israel with their bounty, these are:
Wheat, Barley, Grapes, Figs, Pomegranates, Olives, Dates.
These commonly used symbols of Judaism and of the Land of Israel are intertwined with the symbols of Shabbat on the Jewish Joy Damask.
The Jewish Joy Damask tablecloth and napkins were designed in collaboration with one of the few remaining Damask designers in the world and are made in a traditional Damask manner with the highest quality linen.
And to start your own family heirloom or grant this priceless gift today.
Collaboration
Sanny De Zoete
Sanny is an art historian, cultural entrepreneur, guest curator, writer, and speaker with a world leading knowledge of linen Damask. We consulted closely with Sanny in establishing Damask Joy, and in designing and producing our own first original piece, Jewish Joy.
Sanny’s passion for linen originated in 1985 when she was rummaging through a box of old linen at a textile sorting company. She has since dedicated her life’s work to researching and educating about Damask and she also provides expert valuations. She produces exhibitions about the many facets of linen, and has written three books, all of which have sold out, and is currently working on a new book about Dutch linen and damask through the centuries. One very special project Sanny had the opportunity to contribute to was the Dutch Royal wedding of King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima, together with the Vorsten Royale magazine in 2001-2002.
Karijn Otjes
Karijn Otjes is a Dutch textile designer and has specialized for several years in designs for woven textiles and damask tablecloths. She works for various clients, national, international and, among others, regularly for Sanny de Zoete. She also designs her own collections, some of which are included in the collection of the Dutch Textile Museum. In 2000 she already received the Benelux prize for most innovative damask.
Karijn is also purveyor to the Dutch royal family and both former Queen Beatrix and King Willem Aleksander and Queen Maxima enjoy her damask tablecloth and her mini linen trousseau.
Here’s what Karijn says about the experience of creating Jewish Joy together:
“Vicky’s email next to me, text and symbols printed out, I started drawing. In my head I saw almost immediately what the overall picture should look like. The grand graceful shape, made
up of the 7 symbols, modern, joyful, drawn by hand. An optimistic and rich pattern with a rim of candlesticks, cubs and the wickerwork of bread.”
All due respect to Mrs. Cohen. What a wonderful mission she has!
I wish everyone a lot of fun and happiness with Jewish Joy.
My mission is to help open-minded, conscious and caring women creating a rich and vulnerable atmosphere, where you are just right the way you are. Together, Connecting with other people, so that you can be yourself with all your imperfection, vulnerability and beauty. Because that is that’s wealth!”