Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
As brides, we spend so much time thinking about the aesthetics and logistics of our big days, sometimes it’s easy to overlook the spiritual element of your Jewish (or Jew-ish) wedding – and of the home you’re building together.
That’s why I’m so thrilled to be talking today to Micaela Ezra, the powerhouse designer behind AHYIN, a jawdroppingly gorgeous line of contemporary Judaica that we on Team STG are absolutely in love with. Micaela’s designs – she’s best known for her stunning challah covers, which bring together traditional Jewish symbolism and the embroidery traditions of the craftswomen of Hilando Mexico, a collective whose members hand-embroider each and every AHYIN piece.
Meant to start conversation around the Friday night dinner table, Micaela’s designs reflect her belief in the relevance of Jewish ritual to our contemporary lives, and equally in the fusion of spirituality and beauty.
Micaela’s wedding — Photography: Joe Buissink | @joebuissink
AHYIN’s pieces are intended to be handed down through the generations as heirlooms, and what a beautiful symbol of the beginning of your life together as a family. Even for those of us who are not exactly at the beginning of our lives together – I know I’m adding a few of these beauties to my own wishlist!
What makes Micaela so inspiring is that she really embodies her commitment to tradition and modernity, ritual and aesthetic, not only in her work but also in her life – as she detailed when talking to us about everything from her journey from fashion design to Judaica to how she incorporated spirituality into her own wedding. There’s so much more I could say about this fantastic lady and her art, but I’ll let you read it in her own words.
Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
STG: What inspired you to create AHYIN?
Micaela Ezra: Actually a childhood friend from Australia asked me to design her a challah cover in the traditional Mexican Otami embroidery style (I am a designer and artist). The request prompted a creative journey into an industry I had never even considered. I serendipitously came across a community of talented artisans in Mexico and suddenly I realised that this work was the meeting point of so many life passions for me – textile design, Jewish spirituality and social change philanthropy.
Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
Photography: Erica McCartney | @ericamccartney
Photography: Erica McCartney | @ericamccartney
STG: Can you tell us more about the brand and the meaning behind it?
ME: AHYIN is a boutique collection of contemporary Judaica textiles such as challah covers, matzah covers and baby pillows. Every piece is designed and created with holistic, spiritual intentions. They are intended ultimately as heirlooms, but more immediately to stimulate conversation, to add beauty to tradition, and to enhance the experience of our rituals. We strive to create beautiful quality products, that speak to a modern aesthetic and will stand the test of time. I still cherish my grandmother’s challah cover from India!
While all the product components are brought in from Europe – such as the premium Libeco linen – we feel honored to embroider all our textiles with a talented community of indigenous artisans in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. That means every piece is made by hand and truly one of a kind. Slow fashion, preservation of craft, transparent supply chain, global responsibility – these are some of the things we care deeply about. We are proud that the practice of Jewish ritual can have a positive ripple effect, supporting the endeavours of women entrepreneurs in rural Mexico.
If you’re curious about the name “Ahyin” – it has a mystical relevance – you can read more here.
Photography: Erica McCartney | @ericamccartney
Photography: Erica McCartney | @ericamccartney
Photography: Erica McCartney | @ericamccartney
STG: Your collection of Judaica is beyond stunning, do the designs on each piece have an individual meaning?
ME: Thank you so much. Maybe because I put so much love into them! I have drawn on rich cultural symbolism to illustrate stories and convey an essence; I also design each piece with great intention. What will people connect to? What will make them ask questions? What will evoke a particular mood at the table? My El Jardin design features symbols of blessing, fertility and protection, including pomegranates, doves with olive branches, outstretched hamsas and the Tree of Life.
The Emet matzah cover is a visual narrative – there are motifs that relate to the first mitzvah the Jewish people were given the night before the Exodus, which was to count the months according to the moon. I’ve included a reference to the Jewish midwives who delivered the Hebrew baby boys in secrecy and many other elements of the story of Passover.
Photography: Joe Buissink | @joebuissink
Photography: Joe Buissink | @joebuissink
STG: Can you share with us the spirituality you brought into your own wedding?
ME: Although I am a creative, without doubt the most important element of my wedding was the chuppah, badeken and spiritual elements woven throughout. Throughout the planning I focused on how my husband and I wanted to FEEL on the day and the mood we wanted to evoke at the wedding. It was essential that the meaning would match and surpass the physical beauty of the event. I turned to that mantra over and over again, whenever the details became overwhelming.
I did a lot of spiritual preparation and learning in the lead up to the wedding, so I felt very connected to the essence of each ritual as it unfolded.
The badeken for me was the most emotionally overwhelming. The chuppah was led by a wonderful rabbi to whom my husband and I felt very connected. He truly brought that lofty, indescribable aspect of souls coming together and grounded it, expressing it in a way that every guest could relate to. We also included little details like creating cards that explained the spirituality underlying each part of the ceremony for guests to read, drinking from my father’s kiddush cup. I walked down the aisle to a haunting Chassidic niggun. In the kippot we stamped the psalm “You shall go forth in joy, and in peace shall you be led”. We even chose the venue in part because it looked like the hills of Jerusalem.
I personally carved out very specific time for prayer and reflection in the hours leading up to the ceremony. The days prior had been incredibly stressful, but on the day I just surrendered to the flow and allowed myself to be in joy.
Photography: Joe Buissink | @joebuissink
Photography: Joe Buissink | @joebuissink
STG: If you had one piece of advice to brides on how to bring spirituality into their new home, what would it be?
ME: This is such a deep question. You know, you’re laying a foundation for your entire life. It is such a powerful time! You are setting in motion a family rhythm that has the possibility to influence generations.
I believe we are drawn to one another because there is healing and spiritual work to be done in the relationship. The first step is to understand that under the chuppah, you were brought together with a third partner, G-d. So you have embarked on a holy relationship with your partner. And the most spiritual thing you can do is to create peace in your home – we call it Shalom Bayit. This comes with surrender and humility, with deep reverence for one another, and the awareness that you were brought together for reasons much greater than your comprehension. Together you have a light to bring to the world. Every day may require a reminder of this mission and a re-surrender to one another. I would give this advice to couples no matter their cultural beliefs or religion. We are each responsible for healing in our small sphere of the world, and the positive effects of that will absolutely ripple outwards.
Then, if you want to bring Jewish spirituality into your home there are many places to begin. There are so many beautiful rituals and it is important to find some that you connect with. What brings you joy? Is it being social? Then commit to hosting a regular Shabbat for your friends. Is it learning? Then find a Jewish online class or podcast to listen to with your partner. Is it meditation? Then bring in the practice of a morning meditation with Modeh Ani, or include the ritual of lighting Shabbat candles at the end of the week. The list is endless. It is a beautiful idea to commit to something together in honor of your wedding – you will start a tradition together that will span the rest of your lives.
If you’re registering for Judaica or purchasing it yourself, make it meaningful and invest in pieces you love. These will very likely become heirlooms for you grandchildren and great grandchildren! Before that time they have to bring YOU joy, so that you are inspired to use them and engage with them over and over again.
Photography: Leah Weinstein | @leahweinsteinphotography
Photography; Sasha Israel | @sashaisrael
15% off for all Smashing The Glass readers
Micaela is very kindly offering all Smashing The Glass readers 15% off her challah covers (erm… how lucky are we?!) Simply enter the code STGXAHYIN to at checkout to redeem it!
We’d love to hear what you’re doing to incorporate spirituality into your wedding – and your home together as newlyweds! Let us know in the comments.
