Prayer shawl from Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation

Carolyn McCollough, American · 2010

A black prayer shawl (tallit gadol) with a repeating pattern of nine, embroidered, seven-branched menorahs lined across each end. Strips of white grosgrain ribbon have been appliquéd above and below the Menorah bands. Strips of black silk braid have been sewn across the middle of the lower ribbons. A neckband made from a narrow band of black fabric (atarah or "crown") sewn on the top center edge of the shawl has been embroidered in silver thread with the Hebrew tallit blessing and is surrounded on either side by a seven-branched menorah. Each corner of the tallit has been reinforced with a black square of fabric sewn on the verso of the tallit and threaded through with a long, white, silk tassel (tzitziot). The shawl edges have been trimmed in black ribbon. The tallit bag is black with the name of the owner in Hebrew [Rabbi Shmuel Y'funnye] embroidered in silver thread on the front of the bag. Next to his name is a seven-branched menorah also embroidered in silver thread. The bag has a black zipper closure on the top of the bag.