Roby Blecker is a woman of many talents, as an author of a number of books in the genres of historical romance (look those up under her pen name, Roby James), contributor to the Washington Post and Guideposts, book editor, and Community and Continuing Education Instructor at Whatcom Community College. She has a mind brimming with theology and is a Spiritual and Retreat Director, certified by the Los Angeles Archdiocesan program and a para rabbinic on Jewish issues of death and dying.
A 14-year needlepoint project
In 2010, along with all her other activities, she began what turned out to be a 14-year needlepoint project, stitching “The Days of Creation,” a six-panel series created by Alex Beattie. “Alex Beattie,” she says, “is the artist, and I am the artisan.” It’s a true statement but doesn’t speak to the dedication and tenacity she needed to complete the work, which now hangs on the Bima of Congregation Beth Israel in Bellingham, the sacred space from which services are conducted and the Torah is read.
“I’ve been doing needlepoint since 1972,” says Blecker, “buying kits from a needlepoint stencil service in Britain called Ehrman Tapestries. The second I saw Beattie’s “The Days of Creation,” I knew I would have to needle it. They were the most beautiful needlepoint patterns I have ever seen.”
They are beautiful. Beattie, a long-time designer with Ehrman Tapestries, has an art illustration background. These tapestry panels are his interpretation of the beginning of the book of Genesis. You may hear him talk about his process here.
The tapestries are vivid works of art depicting mysteries we may never unravel. The mystery and the inspiration drew Blecker in as she worked on the project. “From my point of view,” she explained, “the fact that there is mystery tells us that each of us has a different path. There is not just one answer. It has to do with the difference between religion and spirituality. Mystery is much more part of spirituality than it is part of the many religions.”
As a practical matter, the tapestries are each done using the basketweave stitch, a basic needlepoint technique. Blecker explained that the art needed to be the standout, not the stitching or the use of fancy techniques. The deep, rich tones of the colors in the yarns, all of which are supplied with the kits, add to the depth of each artwork.
Bellingham’s Congregation Beth Israel
Blecker knew that she wanted to share her work as soon as she started working on the second in the series, the creation of the seas and the sky. At that time, Bellingham’s Congregation Beth Israel hadn’t yet begun construction on the gracious building that houses the Synagogue. Blecker, a member of the Beth Israel congregation, had faith that the place would present itself to her, and that was precisely what happened. Both she and Beth Israel Rabbi, Joshua Samuels, immediately understood the invitation that the tapestries offer people to step up onto the Bima, stand next to the Ark containing the sacred Torahs, and interact with each other in conversation.
Once the decision was made to hang the tapestries at Beth Israel, the question of how needed to be solved. The solution came through Fourth Corner Frames & Gallery on Holly Street in Bellingham. Owner Sheri Wright, with 50 years of experience, was excited to have this challenge. “It was a unique piece given that we weren’t using any frame; we were using fabric, and it was oversized. I’ve done framing of rugs and big pieces, but I’d never done this type of presentation.”
Following the plan from the Synagogue Interior Design Committee, she explained several special needs to be met. There would be no glass, and the tapestries would “float” in the fabric. They had to be removable for cleaning, and she had to find a way to secure them so they would not warp. Stainless steel pins would have to be used to hold the art in place and avoid rusting into the fabric. She also had to pay attention to how the fabric — a gorgeous blue velour — would be cut so that when people petted it, the nap wouldn’t create distracting impressions. Once the details were worked out, Wright hand-wrapped the fabric around the mounting mats.
The result is a majestic and inviting presentation.
“Sometimes,” Blecker says, “the thing that we do is like throwing a pebble into a pond of water. The waves go out, and have no idea where they hit the shore. Putting it out there and letting it do what it will do is what is important.”
Judaism has a history as a teaching religion, a place to explore and question. “I don’t look at the beginning of Genesis as a historical account,” says Rabbi Samuels, “or any of our sacred literature as history. They are teaching texts. When I read a passage or a story, my first question is, ‘What do our teachers want us to take away from this?’ Our creation story is OUR creation story. It’s not an account that we want everyone to believe. Rather, we grapple with and figure out the metaphorical meanings of each day.”
People are welcome to view and be inspired by “The Days of Creation” tapestries at Congregation Beth Israel. See the Friday night and Saturday Shabbat services schedule, or call the office at 360.733.8890 to set up a time.
