Each class painted a challah cover as the art project for the SSSM benefit this year. Painting on silk is a special experience which can produce fluid and beautiful results. These one-of-a kind creations were made by our children in a cooperative spirit. Each class had a different, limited palette of 3 to 4 colors to explore different hues and the intensity of those colors.

Each middle school class had a different drawing assignment. Kitah Vav created a Jerusalem skyline. Kitah Zayin illustrated a creation story and Kitah Chet illustrated the Exodus from Egypt.

After making pencil sketches, their drawings were transferred onto the silk and then traced in gold or black gutta -- a resist that can keep the paint from flowing into certain areas and add to the general design. The covers were then ironed, to set the colors, and are now washable.

We hope your new challah cover lifts your Shabbat spirit.