San Diego (special) -- Arlene Miller, who created the 20-foot long (and growing) Mi Shebeirach  tapestry for Temple Emanu-El, was honored as that Reform congregation's
"volunteer of the year" during its annual meeting last Sunday.

Miller said she conceived the idea of a tapestry made from individual squares contributed by members of the congregation after fashioning a similarly-constructed chuppah for the wedding of her daughter Kim to Ari Novick. Mi Shebeirach is the traditional prayer for healing. The project was announced in June of 1998, and "grew slowly at first," Miller said. "Once there were a number of squares, we took photos of each one and put these, along

TAPESTRY--members and friends of Temple Emanu-El display the 20-foot long mi sheberach tapestry in the sanctuary of the Reform congregation.

with the few lines each person was asked to write about his or her square, in the (Temple) Bulletin. Things moved along quickly after that."

The 10-inch squares are grouped in sections of 18 each, which are
surrounded and joined together with a white brocade fabric, similar to a
tallit.

"As those who saw it displayed during the UAHC (Union of American
Hebrew Congregations) Regional Biennial in February and at various times
in our Temple sanctuary can attest, the Mi Shebeirach Tapestry is much
more than the sum of its considerable parts," commented Rabbi Martin S.
Lawson, the congregation's spiritual leader.

Themes within the tapestry range from the humorous (three sequined
matzo balls steaming in a bowl of soup) to the mystical (the
tetragrammaton yod, hay, vov, hay interpreted with buttons, mirrors and
embroidery, Miller noted. "Some squares are very personal, dedicated in
honor or memory of family members and friends. Others are more global,
offering prayers and warm wishes to all in need of a healing touch."

The Tapestry was unveiled during High Holy Day services last September.  On Rosh Hashanah morning, just after the Torah service ended, congregants who felt in need of healing were invited to come to the bema to be surrounded in the tapestry while the Mi Shebeirach prayer was sung. "It was a moment of great power and intensity," Miller said. "I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, and that includes the rabbi who was visibly affected by the beauty and emotion of the moment.  "What was most special was that everyone-those on the bema and those in

ARTIST--Arline Miller, originator of the mi shebeirach  tapestry, points to one of its details.

the congregation-felt so totally connected. There was an absolute feeling of 'oneness.'"

Miller said her dream is to see the Mi Shebeirach Tapestry "beginning and
growing in other congregations, organizations and communities
everywhere so that we will all feel connected to each other and to the
healing energy around and within us." 
 

a a