About the Artist: Gloria Spitz
Gloria Spitz has been called "Earth Mother" for her skill as a mom and her boundless energy to do things for others. She has participated in raising six boys, three of her own and three belonging to her sister, and a girl, born to another sister.
Gloria and her husband Bob decided 44 years ago that it would be neat to move in with her sister Susan and her husband Len. For all these years, they have lived together in a large house in suburban Philadelphia, sharing with each other and with the community.
Gloria and her husband Bob decided 44 years ago that it would be neat to move in with her sister Susan and her husband Len. For all these years, they have lived together in a large house in suburban Philadelphia, sharing with each other and with the community.
What It Means to Share
For Gloria, sharing means creating new things. She knits, crochets, and needlepoints with the best of them, counting many tallitot (prayer shawls—plural of talit) and kippot to her credit. When the kids were still home, she cooked for an army. The everyday dinners for ten were practice for the bar-mitzvahs and parties that Gloria would plan and cater with flair and genius.
When the celebration belonged to someone else, she added her creative centerpieces. Some were made of chocolate, others were decorative, but not edible. When her synagogue came calling, she edited a cookbook of Passover recipes called "Passoverama.
When the celebration belonged to someone else, she added her creative centerpieces. Some were made of chocolate, others were decorative, but not edible. When her synagogue came calling, she edited a cookbook of Passover recipes called "Passoverama.
The Creation of Gloria’s Kippot
Sitting in the synagogue, Gloria received inspiration for her creations, which started a trend. She didn't like the look of women wearing kippot (head coverings) designed for men, so she tried to feminize them using wire and crystal beads. She created the first one for herself, and she loved the look. Then her sister and others asked for one, and they loved them, too. Now she spends much of her spare time designing and making these creations. The next one she'll create is for you.