On the occasion of the wedding anniversary of my cousins Janice &

Edwin, who spent two years in the Peace Corps in   (  )  in a house on the slopes of Mt. Cameroon.

The center of the design is dominated by the image of Mt. Cameroon, shrouded in rain clouds and fog.  Above the peak are spread the sun, moon and stars of the heavens, which are held aloft by a rainbow arc, a powerful symbol for the covenant which supports a canopy of peace over the earthly scene below.

At the foot of the mountain rests an African village, representing the security of home and family, and the dependence on the land for sustenance.  The village sits snugly beneath two different half-hidden symbols of the Star of David, enclosing squash blossoms/ pomegranates, symbols of fertility and abundance.  A trail snakes from the village below to the top of the mountain, where a strenuous and exhausting climb demonstrates our striving upwards to ascend towards G-d.

The entire scene is built on the firmament of the traditional vow of love from the Song of Solomon  – “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.”  The words are intertwined by overflowing grapevines, symbols of joy, hope and community, nourished by flowing waters beneath.   These are framed by spiral posts of a gateway, which is both reminiscent of the Torah ark and represents the mystical threshold that separates the earthly world from the divine.

Together, these images express the love that Janice and Ed share as a couple, which extends to their family, into the entire community, and is reflected throughout the wondrous creations of G-d’s universe that surround us all.

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Basket Amulet for Abundance

This amulet draws on designs from Pueblo Indian pottery, elements of Sephardic (Spanish) and "Santa Fe" style found throughout the southwest, and traditional Jewish symbols. The round design is similar to baskets and Pueblo pottery bowls.

In the center is the six-petal flower, symbol of the hidden Jews of New Mexico, which is enclosed in a Star of David. In turn, this is entwined with squash blossoms/pomegranates, symbols of fertility from the earth. These are enclosed by band of mesas, one of the major elements of the Southwest desert landscape.

The next circle contains a repeating pattern of eagle feathers, which represent the strength of the spirit world to Native Americans. The two outermost circles both contain water patterns—the inner one representing the ‘feathered serpent’ water god of the pueblos who brings rain, and the outermost one a design which represents the flowing water of a river.

These, in turn, are surrounded by the heavens and earth. Above the water is the universe, represented by the sun, moon and stars in the sky. Below is the earth, with sacred corn growing in one corner. In the other corner is the Hebrew word Shaddai -- -- written twice in the other to amplify its strength. Considered the most complete and powerful name of G-d, this word tradition-ally carries with it special power to bring safety and protection.

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