Prayerful Creations

When she had the idea to make a Jewish Huck prayer shawl for each of her four sons, Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray had no idea that twenty-five years later she would be writing a book to teach others about the hobby that became a passion. Within the pages of this beautifully-photographed book are instructions on how to create an heirloom quality tallit/prayer shawl, challah or bread cover, or even a table runner using Swedish weaving and Jewish designs, while exploring how using meaningful fabric to create a family heirloom can add to the spiritual value of the creation.

When she had the idea to make a Jewish Huck prayer shawl for each of her four sons, Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray had no idea that twenty-five years later she would be writing a book to teach others about the hobby that became a passion. Within the pages of this beautifully-photographed book are instructions on how to create an heirloom quality tallit/prayer shawl, challah or bread cover, or even a table runner using Swedish weaving and Jewish designs, while exploring how using meaningful fabric to create a family heirloom can add to the spiritual value of the creation. Using a needlework technique and Jewish patterns created by Ellen Temkin, Katchko-Gray's life has been enriched by every tallit she's stitched, and she aims to share that enrichment with the women—and men!—who enjoy creating prayer shawls for their families. She hopes that this book encourages people to continue the tradition of hiddur mitzvah, or enhancing ritual objects with creativity and love.

Cantor Deborah Katchko is a fourth-generation cantor and the second to serve a conservative pulpit. She is the founder of the Women Cantors' Network and a member of the Cantors Assembly and American Conference of Cantors, as well as the Pomegranate Guild for Judaic Needlework and the American Guild of Judaic Art. She has served Congregation Shir Shalom of Westchester and Fairfield Counties since l999. Her ten recordings include Passover Seder Songs, Hanukkah Songs of Light and Hope, Kindersongs, Jewish Soul, and A Musical Reunion. Her first cantorial songbook with female-friendly keys and guitar chords, Katchko - Three Generations of Cantorial Art, was published by Tara Publications and is used by cantorial students. It includes rare recordings of her father and grandfather with harmonies added in the studio a la Natalie Cole. Her archives are included in the American Jewish Archives, as well as part of the permanent collection displayed at the National Museum of American Jewish History. Her papers, writings and memorabilia of her teacher and mentor Elie Wiesel of blessed memory are included in the Boston University Mugar Library Elie Wiesel Archive. her passion for needlework, meaningful fabric, ritual objects and music all connect to her love of Jewish history, family and culture. She is an amateur cellist with a local symphony and string quartet as well as a teacher of local cantorial and stitching students. She is the proud mother of four sons, two step-sons, three daughters-in- law, and an ever-growing family that joyously increases with weddings and grandchildren. She is married to Dr. F. Scott Gray of CT Family Orthopedics. For links to her recordings, TV and radio programs, essays and published works please visit her website www.cantordebbie.com.