Judaica Standard Time offers a modernist take on traditional Judaica objects

As mainstays of a Jewish home, the ceremonial and ritualistic art and objects known as Judaica are often first thought of as having a certain aesthetic. ‘People assume Judaica is automatically kitsch,’ says Ruby Zuckerman, who manages production at Judaica Standard Time, a design company that has been steadily modernising these iconic objects to restore their place in the contemporary home. Founded by David Kitz, Jesse Kivel and Michael David in 2020, the label collaborates with artists and designers of varying cultural backgrounds to expand the understanding and perception surrounding Judaica.

Judaica Standard Time: ‘modernist design, hand-made craftsmanship and cross-cultural connection’

In the years since, Judaica Standard Time has created Hanukkah cards, menorahs, Shabbat candleholders and mezuzahs – a decorative case that’s usually attached to a home’s door frame, containing Hebrew verses written on parchment – that resonate with both observant and secular Jews. 

Its list of collaborators includes some of the most connected creatives in the American design scene, such as Bzippy’s Bari Zipperstein, musician Devendra Banhart, ceramicist Debbie Carlos and the artist Mike Paré. 

‘JST’s collection reflects the interest and concerns of the Jews we know today – we're interested in modernist design, handmade craftsmanship and cross-cultural connection,’ Zuckerman continues. ‘I think we’ve moved forward ideas about traditional Judaica by showing that we can be empowered to take something very old and bring it into the current moment while still honoring that history and past. I feel like a lot of people express themselves through design in other aspects of their life, but see Judaica as something untouchable or stuck in the past – so we like pushing back on that idea.’

Modern menorahs by Judaica Standard Time

Judaica Standard Time’s latest creation is a collection of modern menorahs, made in partnership with the furniture-making studio Sunfish NYC, just in time for Hanukkah. Composed of a row of river rocks, simply displayed on a sapele wood board, which has been carved and whittled by hand to complement the unique shape of each stone, the menorah also quietly nods to Isamu Noguchi and his restraint when it came to manipulating materials. Sunfish’s choice of stones as a motif is also symbolic in Jewish culture; in Hebrew, the word for pebble is a homonym with the word for ‘bond’. Stones are also typically placed by Jewish mourners on top of the headstone as a symbol of love and respect.

‘We really strive to produce objects that don't have to be put away when a certain holiday is over [and can] comfortabl[y] be part of people's homes,’ concludes Zuckerman. ‘We want our pieces to be a seamless part of someone's interior aesthetic, where they genuinely enjoy seeing their menorah or Seder plate year round. This way Jewish identity can be more integrated into a personal aesthetic, and can be a source of enjoyment and pride instead of pushed away when not in use.’

She adds, ‘Our designers have shared that there's often a sort of stilted confusion when they share that they are working on Judaica. Maybe it's some degree of internalised or subliminal antisemitism, that we don't automatically assume something related to Judaism will be beautifully or well-designed. People are pleasantly surprised and really excited to see our pieces. It's been fun to give people an excuse to reconnect with their culture.’

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