Welcome the Shabbos Queen

I kept looking at this picture, with a vague sense that something was not quite right. First, I said to myself, "Hold it, why are the candles already lit while that brilliant sunlight is flooding in?" But then I figured in theory someone might have done candle-lighting an hour early, and maybe the sun is low on the horizon and not as bright as it appears in this exposure. But something was still egging at me. What else is wrong with this picture? (Which, by the way, I stumbled across on the NJOP website.) Then I noticed the food. The...

This week I surveyed vinyl challah covers currently available in web stores, including products made by Emanuel, Alexander Gallery, Majestic, Galilee Silks, Kaftor Vaferach, Jerusalem Leathers, Waterdale Collection, Simchonim, Luvaton, Rikmat Elimelech, Malchut Yerushalayim, Karshi and Ronit Gur. I came across a number of jacquard, quilted, brocade, velvet, vinyl and leather challah covers. Many of the designs were laser cut, or highly simplified, employing geometric patterns and straight lines, along with Waterdale's "hotel style." A few were hexagonal or oval, rather than the standard rectangular shape.  For example, take a look at this intriguing hexagon challah cover from the Waterdale Collection.

One of my personal favorite Judaica embroidery makers is Kaftor Vaferach, which is located in Jerusalem. Their marketing and sales are choppy, but their designs, materials, craftmanship and embroidery work are superb.  The employ a broad range of base colors, motifs, designs, embroidery styles and fringe types, ranging from classic designs, to modern concepts. But for now, I just wanted to show you a breathtaking heirloom challah cover that shows up their acumen. I think it speaks for itself.