Check out the Story on NPR's The California Report 5/15/09 4:30 - 5:00, 6:30 -7:00!

Here's the scoop:

Mezuzah in Space a Second Time

    A replica of the Barbed Wire Mezuzah by artist Aimee Golant has gone into space with Astronaut Mike Massimino in order to honor the life of the first Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon. The mezuzah will make the voyage to the Hubble Telescope on the Atlantis Space Shuttle.

    The mezuzah, commissioned by the 1939 Club in Los Angeles, accompanied Ilan Ramon and was destroyed in the Columbia Space Shuttle crash in January of 2003.  Ramon was a child of Holocaust survivors, and as the first Israeli astronaut, he wanted to bring an artifact into space that commemorated the Holocaust. 

    In search of the right object, he approached The1939 Club, a group of Holocaust survivors and their families in Los Angeles. Golant’s family are Holocaust Survivors and members of the 1939 Club.  When they heard about Ramon’s quest, they recommended that Golant submit a picture of the mezuzah for consideration and the board approved.

    After the crash the 1939 Club commissioned Golant to make another “Barbed Wire Mezuzah” to give to Ramon’s widow, Rona, as a gift.  Mike Massimino was in flight school with Ramon and wanted something special to commemorate his friend on his next voyage into space.  Ms. Ramon recommended another “Barbed Wire Mezuzah.”  The 1939 Club asked Golant if she would be willing to replicate the piece.  She recreated it in April of 2008 and donated the mezuzah for the flight.

    In Jewish tradition, the mezuzah is a statement of faith, written in Hebrew on a tiny scroll contained in a decorative case fixed to the front doorpost.  It reminds us of our oneness with all people, and our responsibility to honor G-d by upholding and teaching the values of loving kindness, truth and compassion.  Our home becomes a sanctuary, bringing the hope of a better world.  

   Aimee Golant is a 6th generation metal artist and a grandchild of Holocaust survivors. She creates contemporary Judaic art in order to preserve, share and illuminate the universal within Judaism. She has been creating Judaica since she was in college at San Francisco State University in 1992. Her evocative an award-winning judaica is exhibited nationally and included permanent collection at the Jewish Museum of New York. Aimee is currently partnering with many non-profits to raise funds for philanthropic causes through her art, including the Holocaust and Diversity programs at Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee home of the famous documentary Paper Clips.