You're probably wondering why I was chosen to create something a rabbi might use.
The answer is, I don't entirely know.
But I think it all comes back to the human connection and art appreciation.
A Torah pointer, or yad (Hebrew for "hand"), is a ritual tool used to follow text while reading the Torah.
Judaic Art
My appreciation for Judaic art took root at the North Carolina Museum of Art. For years, I made my way to the furthest corner of the west building to marvel at the sparkling objects in silver.
Admittedly, I was there for the design. But out of respect, I tried to understand the religious meaning behind each piece.
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(Left) Torah Shield by Suri Srulovitch (Right) Passover Seder Set by Ludwig Yehuda Wolpert |
One day, chatting to my mom, I mentioned that my favorite gallery at NCMA was the Judaic collection. To my surprise, she said, “Me too!”
As it turns out, the practicing Catholic and the secular fashion designer had long cherished the same Judaic art.
Soon after this discovery, I received a commission from Clay Barr.
The Commission
The Barr Foundation has curated America’s largest private collection of Torah pointers, featuring a diverse lineup of artists. 
I met Clay at American Craft Made in Baltimore, where my Break the Glass Ceiling earrings caught her eye.
That moment sparked an idea and Clay asked, “Could you create a yad based on Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass?”
I was immediately intimidated—who was I to interpret one of humanity’s darkest moments?!
I was also deeply honored to be asked. So while I would never feel worthy of this project, I couldn't resist the chance to work on something so meaningful.
The Night
First, I immersed myself in historical images of Kristallnacht (Nov 9–10, 1938).
In addition to the shattered storefronts and burned synagogues, almost 100 Jews were killed and 30,000 were arrested.
I kept returning to one scene... the image of a shopkeeper sweeping up the remnants of a shattered life.
I wanted to turn that pile of broken glass into the yad.
Part II: Technical Process
Shard Shapes
To transform a dustpan of glass into a handheld object, I envisioned a series of shards, in layers—held together with screws. The top would be more angular and chaotic, with the pieces gradually tapering into a point.
In the video below, I smash a mirror to study the shape of broken glass.
Can you see how that last shape made it into the final design?
Material
Funny twist: I work in acrylic, not glass.
Acrylic is much lighter (better for a handheld object), but it doesn't shatter the same way glass does.
To make acrylic look like broken glass, I needed to develop a special technique.
My solution was to break pieces by hand using a scoring method.
Scoring
I used a laser cutter to score the outline of each shape with a double line. I wanted the laser beam to penetrate half way through the material (no more).
Then, I snapped off the edges using a pliers, leaving behind a rugged texture.
This process was an interesting blend of control and unpredictability. The way the edge cracked was left to chance.
Glassy Edge
The breakage left behind an undesirable haze. To remove this, I polished the sides with 20 different sandpaper grits (from 80 to 12,000), making the edges smooth and clear.
In some areas, I applied a coat of resin to capture the imperfect ‘wobbly’ texture of a broken shard.
The Result
Creating this yad was a physical and emotional journey. Hopefully, through a thoughtful and meticulous process, I honored this chapter in history.
Final Thoughts
Art can serve as a powerful vessel for memory, reflection, and reverence.
This Torah pointer tells a story of both devastation and perseverance.
It remembers the irreparable damage as well as the resilience of the survivors.
It also says, "Never again."
Museum-Bound
The Kristallnacht yad will be displayed alongside other Torah pointers at The Fralin Museum of Art at The University of Virginia, opening February 1st, 2025.
(More details to follow.)
Special Thanks
A special thanks to Clay and Lauren for their trust and patience throughout the process. You started with a brilliant idea and now I have the honor of being part of a remarkable collection.