John Weiss, architect, designer, silver artist and craftsman, will talk about the scroll crown he has recently completed for the Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation.
Illustrations from a range of Jewish traditions will demonstrate the historical background of scroll crown and finials, Keter and Rimonim. The illustrations of John Weiss's own pieces will show as their motif the Tree of Life, Etz HaKhayim, the name adopted by the commissioning congregation and also the name traditionally given to the wooden handles of the scroll of the Law, Sefer Torah, on which these ornaments are placed.
This illustrated lecture will look into the fascinating history and art of Torah Crowns and Rimonim and introduce the spirituality of John Weiss's own designs.

The lecture has been organised as a part of B'nai B'rith
European Days of Jewish Culture and Heritage
(6-16 September 2009).