Building a Legacy: From Job Loss to a Unique Judaica Workshop

Visit the village of Gimzo, near Modiin, and you'll certainly notice the unique home of Miriam Aran. Its distinct igloo-like structures draw the eye. Inside, large tables hold colorful threads spinning rhythmically. This home is where Yehuda, of blessed memory, and Miriam Aran raised their eight children and where Miriam’s home business of crafting unique Judaica pieces flourishes to this day. Yehuda passed away three years ago after a brief battle with cancer. With great strength, Miriam continued managing the business after his passing.

Yehuda Aran, of blessed memory

(Photo: Baruch Greenberg)

(Photo: Liron Moldovan)

Endless Inspiration

The tall walls of the house are adorned with fabric, embroidered with quotes and matching illustrations. One such quote is from *Bavli Bechorot*, "The high one should not marry a high one, lest they produce a mast. The dwarf should not marry a dwarfess, lest they produce dwarfish offspring." Miriam smiles, "It’s a bit of a whimsical piece. Years ago, I was asked to decorate our community center for a women’s evening, and this text inspired a wall tapestry with small figures."

You were pioneers in personalized Judaica design. How did you get into it?

"I’ve run this Judaica embroidery business for 37 years, but I stumbled into this niche by chance," Miriam shares. "While I always loved art, studying graphics and sculpture in high school, discovering the *Tanach* and rabbinic literature was transformative for me, despite being religious from birth. I wanted my children to also connect with these stories." Finding suitable weekly Torah portion books back then was a challenge, pushing Miriam to create her own illustrations.

Who came up with your home's unique design?

"That was a whim of our youthful creativity," laughs Miriam. "Inspired by a house we saw in a city, we knocked and asked to see inside. It seemed 'cool' to us. But, its high ceiling created an echo, leading me to hang embroidered fabrics to absorb the sound. Visitors were so enthused they encouraged us to sell them, especially when Yehuda left his job and we founded our business, *Shesh Mashzar*."

Is that how the business began?

"Yes, it was a mix of miracles, hard work, and divine help," Miriam admits. "Our first client trusted me to create an *ark* curtain even though I had no portfolio, but gaining subsequent clients required effort." They advertised in synagogue bulletins and traveled to sell at home shows.

(Photo: Dudi Lazar)

Tallit Bag

"You Should Return Home"

At one point, we tried marketing in the United States. "We packed our items and flew over," Miriam recounts. However, the style was too Israeli, as one woman pointed out, suggesting a return to Israel where our aesthetic was a better fit. "We sold almost nothing but returned with awareness of our niche – those who value the beauty of mitzvot."

(Photo: Dudi Lazar)

(Photo: Liron Moldovan)

(Photo: Liron Moldovan)

"For People to Understand Their Words"

Once during *Sukkot*, seeing a father balancing his son and *lulav* inspired the creation of a shoulder bag for storing an *etrog*. Similarly, to aid in counting the *Omer*, she crafted a magnetic board marked with the days, transforming how many women approached the practice.

Miriam is adamant that items should have deeper inscriptions than 'tallit' bags simply stating 'tallit'. She prefers meaningful texts like *Pirkei Avot*, "Be bold as a leopard... to do the will of your Father in Heaven."

Always Room for Improvement

In early days, I asked my husband for a studio before even knowing my exact path. With a dedicated space, I wouldn’t scramble to hide materials from the children. At first crafting by hand was laborious, requiring long hours and careful work during pregnancies, but supportive clientele like a carpenter who made my first work table helped transition the journey.

Did you love the outcomes of your efforts?

"I was never fully satisfied," Miriam surprises. "Now in retrospect, I see the imperfect, hand-stitched works were uniquely beautiful despite being less precise than today's digital creations."

Becoming a great-grandmother today, she continues in her studio, occasionally securing a piece crafted long ago, keeping her husband's memory – and their joint dream alive. Her ultimate goal is ensuring future generations uphold their values.