A Bespoke Tallit for Shayna

by Anna Abramzon

Samantha reached out because she had seen the custom hand painted tallitot I had designed for the clergy of Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills and had a very special project in mind. Her Bat Mitzvah girl, Shayna, needed a bespoke tallit that could become an heirloom for future generations. Shayna's older brother had received a tallis passed down from their great-grandfather for his Bar Mitzvah and Shayna needed a custom tallit made just for her that was just as meaningful and unique. Challenge accepted! 

The tallit would be a surprise for Shayna, so her mom and I would be designing it together based on Shayna's style and taste. Here is the list I jotted down during our brainstorming session: 

  • Likes thick black stripes on retro flower tallit
  • not a girly girl in a traditional way
  • artsy/funky
  • wears a lot of black
  • more neutral and unisex than girly so it can have the potential to be passed down
  • tree element of parents' ketubah/ trees or branches coming together
  • gold and black
  • layered with stitching and different fabrics etc

And so I got to work on some sketches! I presented Samantha with a few ideas. I sketched out both the layout of the tallit and some fashion illustrations to show how the tallit would drape when worn. 

custom-tallit-sketch
custom tallit sketch B
Sketch B was just what Samantha had in mind. Since their family is local here in Los Angeles, we even got together in person so I could show her some fabric options for both the tallit itself and the layering of the different elements.

glitter-gold-fabric-tallit

We would make the stars, branches and leaves all different metallic and glittering textures. Here were some color options I presented them: 
Samantha decided to go with a mix of metallic and glitter gold for Shayna's tallit. The clean simplicity of this design really captures the idea that sometimes less is more. I couldn't wait to see this project come together.

And with that, my team and I got to work!  


This tallit turned out to be quite the show stopper! 

I love the clean, simple and classic design of this tallit. It is timeless and elegant and sure to match any outfit! The sprinkle of Jewish stars and delicate branches are soft and sophisticated, adding just enough texture and sparkle to catch the eye. 

I was so excited for Shayna to see how her tallit came out! But, of course, I would have to be patient because her one-of-a-kind tallit was to be a surprise for her Bat Mitzvah day and her parents waited to give it to her at her Bat Mitzvah rehearsal. But it was worth the wait. 

Shayna did an incredible job with her Bat Mitzvah service! 

She was poised, confident, wise, and made her family and the whole congregation proud.

Beautiful Shayna in her custom tallit
Shayna in her custom tallit
And how beautiful are these photographs by Suzanne Landis? If you are in Los Angeles and looking for a photographer, you clearly can't go wrong with Suzanne.

Mazel Tov to Shayna and your whole family! 

May you continue to be a light onto the Jewish people and to bring us all joy and nachas. L'chaim! 

Shayna's Bat Mitzvah Custom Tallit


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