DESCRIPTION: In this quaint scene the artist represents a custom known to women since the days of our Matriarchs. Throughout history, Jewish women have baked Challah, special Shabbos bread, fulfilling a Mitzvah that is specifically for women. This depiction of two folk women in their small kitchen expresses a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. On the shelf in the kitchen are small prayer books and Psalms. Braided Challah is cooling on the counter and just out of the oven is the traditional round Challah with raisins to signify a sweet year. The fire of the oven seems to warm the home not just with heat, but also with a warmth of happiness and contentment.

ARTIST INFORMATION: : Today's renaissance of the traditional Jewish lifestyle has been accompanied by the blossoming of a multi-faceted Chasidic art movement. Michoel Muchnik, among the foremost Chassidic artists, has gained prominence with his joyfully imaginative renderings in acrylics, watercolors, and original lithographs. He frequently combines his delicate use of color and fine line work into a story book motif. Even at its most mystical, a Muchnik painting is inexplicably familiar.

Born in Philadelphia in 1952, Muchnik received his artistic training at Rhode Island School of Design. He later studied at the Rabbinical College of America, in Morristown, New Jersey.

Muchnik has staged exhibits of his original paintings, bas-relief mosaics and lithographs throughout the world. His originals have been displayed at the Brooklyn Museum, the Goldman Arts Gallery in Washington, D.C., Yeshiva University Museum in New York, Dansforth Museum in Massachusetts, the Sydney Jewish Museum and the Sharei Tzedek Collection in Israel.