It’s a special mitzvah to beautify and lend special significance to each mitzvah we perform. The rabbis dubbed this “hiddur mitzvah,” the enhancement and illumination of a commandment. Our talented life member, Lesley Frost, exemplified this practice by working with five other women to create these two beautiful appliquéd Torah mantles for her synagogue, Adas Israel, in Washington, DC.

Called “Flowers of Israel” and “The Seven Species,” the Torah mantles were designed by the artist Arlette Jassel. Members of the synagogue sewing circle are about to begin making two more Torah mantles for the High Holy Days. Lesley was also a key member of the committee that created our gorgeous quilted chuppah (available for rental within a 25-mile radius of Morristown).