My vision
Are you someone who has come through a challenging experience and wants to create a peaceful setting?
Are you looking for a way to incorporate more rituals into your life?
Are you looking to create sanctuary in your home?
Have you been looking for talismans to wear that help you keep spiritual feelings throughout the day?
Are you looking to contribute to a peaceful world, by joining a community of peace?
Do you have a peaceful cause that you want to raise money for? Often times my art is used for that purpose.
My Philosophy:
When I started metal smithing, it was as if I took the tools out of my back pocket. It felt right. Clearly this was something I was meant to do-- all the time. I was using my grandparents’ story of survival for a paper in a university class on the Holocaust and Genocide, when my grandfather started giving me his tools. With the help of a wonderful metal arts teacher the idea for my first mezuzahs came into being. They had flames, jail bars, and barbed wire on them, yet they preserved an important Jewish tradition, that I was able to share.
In making and explaining those pieces to the class, I realized that it is important to me that we understand our oneness-- we all breathe, we all bleed, we all experience pleasure and pain. Organized religion is not going to bring us together. Yet, there are tools in each one that have value to any human regardless of faith. I want to share Torah so that anyone can use it’s gifts, which I believe will help blur the lines that separate us.
This art is not about converting people to Judaism; this is about understanding that we can all use the vibration of the Torah to raise our resonance, to lift ourselves, to come into peace and harmony with ourselves and the world. The word Israel means: one who has been through a challenging experience and came through with love in their heart. This is the spirit of the Israel that I envision in the world and the one I wish to share through my art.
My work is bold, it makes a statement. It is about people being safe, while being seen in the world.
I work best with clients who:
- Have been through a challenging experience and came through with love in their hearts.
- Are holding a vision of the future for humanity that includes: oneness, peace, and taking care of the earth.
- Live in abundance and give of themselves abundantly.
- Are looking to create a personal environment (home and body) that feels like sanctuary-- sacred, safe and healthy.
- Are looking to incorporate new rituals in order to feel spiritually supported, and create room for rest in their lives.
My Promises: When you choose to work with me, you can absolutely count on receiving high quality metal work, that not only is beautiful, well made, of a nice weight, and uses sustainable materials whenever possible, but also comes with spiritual meaning that will enrich your life.
My intentions: When you choose to work with me I intend to help you create sanctuary, a safe place-- both inside your home and as adornment for your body. This space is filled with the vibration of Torah-- beauty, loving kindness, caring for one another and the earth, for now and for future generations.
Testimonials:
Adam Clark - Owner, Scintillant Studio
Enthusiasm.... is the key word when describing Aimee. Enthusiasm coupled with an active and creative mind. She could motivate a stone to do backflips. If you are considering hiring her for ANYTHING don't hesitate, because she wont!
Claire Axelrad - Formerly of JFCS, Principal at Clairification
Aimee is a creative artist whose inspired work comes straight from the heart and will light up your life.
Jason Wingard - Vice Dean at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Aimee Golant's work is outstanding and unparalleled in the metal arts arena. The level of detail and craftsmanship she delivers with each piece is both masterful and innovative--evoking a cathartic experience that only special art can generate. She is the consummate professional--focussed on the needs of the customer, appropriately injecting creative brilliance throughout the process, and providing best-in-class service for customized, commissioned work. I highly recommend Aimee for project work, teaching, or creative consulting.
Laurie Rosenwasser - Former Hadassah President - Upper Midwest Region
Aimee designed and executed a Chai - pewter/bronze/silver - for our Hadassah Region as a fundraising incentive. The chai is beautiful and coveted by our members (as we desired), and Aimee is an absolute pleasure to work with and totally honorable and dependable. I would be happy to hire and work with Aimee any time.
Mara Langer - Speaker - Breast Cancer Advocacy - California's 19th Assembly District Woman of the Year for 2012
Aimee is a fantastic artist, constantly creating new and exciting products reflecting life and living. I have purchased several pieces for myself as well as for gifts - they are always well received and adored by their recipients.
emiko oye - owner, emiko-o, President Metal Arts Guild
Aimee is one of the most hard-working, self-motivated metal artists that I know who is truly making it in the field and inspiring others to follow their calling. She is a dedicated and generous teacher, and approaches her business from a place of spirituality.
Michael Sturtz - Founder of The Crucible, Project Director / Lecturer Stanford University
Aimee is an amazing artist and teacher, her work in both fields is truly inspiring. I have no doubt she can accomplish anything she puts her effort into.
Spiritual Ornaments and Objects for the Home
One-Clip-At-A-Time Helps Educate Kids about The Holocaust
High Holy Days for Spiritual People
Quick Note: This Blog post is part of a new series. I am writing about Jewish traditions in order to help make them accessible to all people, especially non-Jews. Please help me share....
High Holy Days
There is something to be said about taking a ten day period to celebrate the New Year, reflect on past mistakes, acknowledge them inwardly and outwardly, set intentions for the coming year, and move on. That is what the “Days of Awe” are all about. It is a way to draw a line in the sands of time and try with all your might to be a better person.
The “High Holy Days” refer to the beginning of the cycle - Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and ten days later, the day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Rosh (head) Hashanah (of the year). Rosh Hashanah is considered a time of celebration-- a lot like any New Year’s celebration. It is customary to eat apples dipped in honey to signify the hope of a sweet year. Special honey cake and challah bread with sweet golden raisins is baked in the form of a spiral instead of the traditional braid. Toward the end of the Rosh Hashanah prayer service, a shofar (ram’s horn) is blown to loudly mark the beginning of the High Holy Days -- or Days of Awe.
The"Days of Awe" are the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We are instructed to think long and hard about our past year. How did it go? Did we miss the mark? Hurt someone? Hurt ourselves? Where could we improve? Once we’ve spent time looking back, usually before Yom Kippur, it is customary to find those people who we may have hurt and directly acknowledge our missteps, and apologize to them. If someone has hurt you, tell them. Work it out! It is also a good idea to give "Tzedakah" time or money to charitable causes, and food to the poor. This is all a part of renewing your soul. This process is sometimes not easy!
Yom Kippur is the culmination of the past 10 days. The literal translation is day of forgiveness, although the more commonly used translation is "Day of Atonement." On Yom Kippur some people wear white and have nothing to eat or drink at all from the sundown the night before to sundown the night of-- approximately 24 hours. By this time you may have already done your apologizing to people around you that you may have hurt. Now it’s time to apologize to G-d for crimes against yourself/nature the powers that be. It is also time to look toward the year coming in the future and set your intentions. How will you improve next year? What are your spiritual goals for the coming year?
I hope this helped you understand the basics of the High Holy Days so that if you want to incorporate a similar tradition in your life-- you can. I welcome your comments and questions. Please stay in touch! L’Shana Tova! (Happy New Year!)
Shalom Bayit Mezuzah and Charm Project
Aimee Golant, a San Francisco based metal artist who promotes peace and understanding though her art has been commissioned to create two commemorative pieces to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Shalom Bayit.
Shalom Bayit, a Jewish center for the prevention of domestic violence, held its 20th anniversary dinner, Creating Hope: 20 Years of Changing Lives, on May 31, 2012. This event served as a fundraiser for battered women and their children to ensure the continuation of preventive programs by educating teens and adults towards a healthier, violence-free future.
Aimee created an exclusive, commemorative mezuzah case (a Jewish blessing that goes on the doorpost of the home) in the shape of a house with the Hebrew letter shin inside, along with a matching house shaped charm necklace. The Shin inside the house represents Shalom Bayit ('Peace in the home') -- the ultimate sanctuary and the profound transformation Shalom Bayit creates by empowering women to safety. Aimee Golant states: “This art has been so meaningful because my mission of promoting the home as a safe sanctuary through the teaching of the mezuzah and Shalom Bayit’s mission of ending domestic violence are perfectly aligned.”
The dinner featured special guest and Tony Award-winning playwright and performer, Eve Ensler, a performance by world-renowned cantor and concert performer Roslyn Barak, stories by domestic violence survivors, a silent auction, and the commissioned artwork of Aimee Golant. You can read more about the event in this J.Jewish News Weekly Article: http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/65246/shalom-bayit-to-mark-anniversary/
The artworks are still available through Shalom Bayit. Here are some images of the artwork and the dinner....
Shalom Bayit 20th Anniversary Commemorative Mezuzah
Aimee Golant with event chair Linda Kalinowski and a Shalom Bayit Supporter
Shalom Bayit Founder Naomi Tucker with Tony Award winning playwright Eve Ensler
Justice Tzedakah Box for the Consul General of Israel
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) -- an organization that "envisions a more just society by sustaining a strong and vibrant Jewish community in the United States and in Israel" recently commissioned San Francisco metal artist, Aimee Golant to create her Justice Tzedekah Box for the Consul General of Israel-- Akiva Tor. The box was a gift for his years of service as he is now headed back to Israel. You can read more about his years of service in this recent article in the J. Jewish News Weekly.
Consul General of Israel - Akiva Tor
Justice Tzedekah Box
Ilan Ramon Day School
More recently a school in Los Angeles has been renamed: "Ilan Ramon Day School" to honor this international hero. I was commissioned to make a Barbed Wire Mezuzah for the school by the 1939 Club. Here is a short video clip at the dedication ceremony plus pictures to follow:
(photo by: Clifford Lester)
Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, March 29, 2012
Attendees of the Ilan Ramon Jewish Day School Dedication Ceremony
939 Club Luncheon-Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, March 29, 2012
Barbed Wire Mezuzah - Aimee Golant
Silver, Copper - one of my my first mezuzahs
Women's Torah Project Bay Area Tour
"Garden of Memories" Memorial (Yartzeit) Candle Holder with "Forever in our Hearts" Matchbox Sleeve
Some of you know, my beloved grandma Mary Kleinhandler passed away on April 16, 2011. She and my grandfather, Arthur Kleinhandler were a source of great strength and inspiration. As you can imagine, her passing marked the end of an era for our family. In dealing with the loss and grief I found comfort in involving myself in the creation of this "Garden of Memory" Memorial Candle holder and "Forever in our Hearts" matchbox sleeve.
Every aspect of the designing, cutting, soldering and this was part of my own process in realizing their passing. It has a garden growing of Hebrew letter Shin flowers. They loved to garden. My husband David and I do too. Shin stands for G-d's protection. It is dedicated to the memory of this beloved couple.
! ), I added texture to the leaves, stems and surrounding areas (using steel wires, decorative stamping tools and ball peen hammers). I also designed the matchbox.
We all go through loss of loved ones. It is a sweet Jewish tradition (which is also Universal) to light a candle that burns for 24 hours at the anniversary of that person's death. I want to share this meaningful tradition so that others including my own friends and family can honor the memory of loved ones in a beautiful, supportive way.
A Mezuzah for the White House?
So, last summer I sent President and Mrs. Obama a Paper Clip "Hope" Mezuzah along with a copy of the documentary Paper Clips. I chose that one because I felt the story behind the piece encompasses the love of diversity that America represents. I also sent them the background story of when my mother-in-law and I visited the Whitwell Middle School Holocaust Memorial, where I spoke at the dedication of their new school to over 1200 guests, and taught the 7th and 8th graders about the mezuzah, while affixing it to their new Holocaust Library.