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PROCESS NOTES:

Tzedakah Box

A Tzedakah box is used to collect charitable donations; the Hebrew word "Tzedakah" has a complex meaning that encompasses the ideas of justice, righteousness, piety, and charity. Linda designed a 5-foot-tall obelisk-style Tzedakah box for the foyer of a reform Synagogue in Irvine, California. The box is built from cherry wood with pigmented resin inlays and stands on a granite base.

The upward spiraling movement of the sculpture represents the "Song Of Ascent," which is the English translation of the name of the synagogue, Shir Ha Ma'a lot. Five curved lines of colored resin appear on two sides of the three-sided box, representing the five lines in a musical staff.

Linda designed the sculpture and then coordinated with a craftsman skilled in woodwork to build the box to her specifications. Goals for the design included that the sculpture inspire the generosity of the Tzedakah while being enduring, engaging, and meaningful to the congregation. The photos below show details during creation.

Photo shows the Tzedakah box under construction lying on its side with jars of colored pigment that were used to create the colored inlays. The image shows the inlay grooves before the colors were added.
Tzedakah Box Under Construction

Photo shows the curved lines of the cherry wood and the grooves before inlaying them with colored pigment.

Photo shows a close-up detail of two sides of the box with the grooves before color inlays were added.
The Finished Box

This schematic shows the cherry box with colored inlays and granite base.

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Box under construction
with grooves to hold pigment dyes
and hollow cavity to hold donations
Photo shows the box under construction with the door removed so that the hollow interior is revealed. The interior will hold the donations that are inserted into the box.
"Judgement of Paris"
by Sandro Botticelli c. 1485-1488
Photo shows the box under construction with the door removed so that the hollow interior is revealed. The interior will hold the donations that are inserted into the box.

Curved wood with grooves

Photo shows one curved side of the box before it was attached to the other sides. The wood is cut into a curved shape and has grooves that will hold the colored inlays.

Interior cavity to hold donations

Photo shows a detail of the opening on on box side.

The top of the box has a triangular shape derived from the triangular forms of the base and inspired by the Star of David. The design on the top is the logo of the synagogue.

Image showing triangular top of box with blue pattern that is the logo for the synagogue.

View of colored resin inlays that appear on two sides

Photo shows a close-up detail of the colored inlays, like a curved rainbow, after they were laid into the grooves in the wood,

View of closed hatch

Photo shows a close-up detail of two sides of the box with the grooves before color inlays were added.

View of interior hollow cavity

Photo shows the open interior of the box with the hatch removed.
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