Members of Johnstown's Beth Sholom congregation have been weaving prayer shawls (tallitot) since 1992 with weaving teacher Sandra Hinderliter. Through the years parents, grandparents, great grandparents, relatives and friends for grateful recipients have woven many Tallitot, Kippot, and Tallit holders. In Spring of 2003 with the guidance of Judith Finkelstein a Weaving Room was established within the Beth Sholom building. We began with a borrowed loom and weaving progressed in what can only be described as "a family experience".

In the last year two looms have been purchased. A generous member of the congregation purchased a 4-harness Harrisville. An 8-harness Nilus Leclerc was purchased with the 2004 Teach It Forward Grant from Handweaver's Guild of America.

When a member of the congregation comes to the Weaving Room our looms are already dressed with a cream colored warp. Although most of the weavers usually have no weaving experience, they produce beautiful and creative pieces. The individual selects any colors to be used, the stripe placement, and the twill pattern. We currently use lightweight wool throughout the Tallit, Kippah, and Tallit holder.

After the weaving of the prayer shawl is completed and the Tallit is ready to be removed from the loom Rabbi Brandwein is generally invited to the loom along with Sandie, the Tallit weaver, and their family for a brief ceremony at which a blessing is recited.

After the removal from the loom another congregant directs each weaver in tying the wool tzitzit in order to complete the Tallit. Before the actual tzitzit tying an explanation is given as to the significance of numerology in the wraps and knots.

The Tallit weaving will remain to be a major focus of our Weaving Room, but other Judaic textiles have been developed. Please check the picture page to see our Mezuzah project. Also check out the information on our recently finished additions to Beth Sholom's Torah Curtains.