Chihuly Glass
The Art of
DALE CHIHULY
It all started with a matzah and a joke. At Passover, at the time of finding the afikoman, a ritual hiding of a piece of matzah at the seder, Donna Schneier, mother of Rabbi Marc Schneier, asked her son what he wanted for finding the afikoman. The Rabbi, who has long admired his mother’s extensive Chihuly collection replied: “I want you to introduce me to Dale Chihuly.” Donna had been collecting the work of the internationally acclaimed artist for decades and was more than happy to oblige.
Meeting
DALE CHIHULY
In June of 2021, mother and son, Hampton Synagogue President Carol Levin and about 30 other members of the synagogue traveled to meet Chihuly at his studio in Seattle, Washington with the hope of commissioning a new work from the renowned contemporary artist. The Hampton Synagogue members left Seattle remarking on the “great synergy” they felt with Chihuly while discussing the details of a commission for Jack’s House, the Hampton Synagogue Children’s Center. As the years unfolded, this commission would prove to be the first of several in an enduring and fruitful relationship between the synagogue and the artist. For her tremendous contribution to this exciting arrangement, Donna asked one thing of her son: a small plaque on Jack’s House that reads, “Thank You, Mom.”
Dale Chihuly Fiori
When Chihuly first met with the Hampton Synagogue, he committed to creating several new Fiori (Italian for “flowers”)—one of his iconic bodies of work. These internationally acclaimed pieces took on a profound new meaning for the synagogue, becoming a vibrant expression of faith and tradition.
“The vibrant colors, inspired by the ‘ephod,’ communicate brilliantly when the sun is shining through,” shares Keri Schroeder, Director of Chihuly Studio. The ephod, sacred breastplates of ancient Jewish high priests, are just one powerful biblical element referenced
in Chihuly’s pieces throughout the Hampton Synagogue.
The chapel’s set of 12 Hampton Fiori (2022), each a different color, evoke the 12 Tribes of Israel. Even the total of 36 Fiori is symbolic—a multiple of 18, representing “life” in Hebrew. This remarkable commitment to detail, combined with the Fioris’ dazzling hues, results in an installation that isn’t just beautiful; it’s a deeply meaningful tribute to Jewish heritage.
The
ETERNAL LIGHT
Throughout his career, Chihuly’s work in glass has explored the relationship between light, space, and form. The Synagogue’s commission of the Hampton Eternal Light Chandelier (2022) allowed for a powerful synergy between Chihuly’s interests and the creation of a meaningful new piece of Judaica representing the light that burned perpetually in the Holy Temple. Inspired by the crown atop the head of the Temple’s high priest, this iconic Chandelier form, made with gold leaf, hangs in the foyer of Jack’s House.
The
MENORAH
The Temple Menorah Sconce (2022) commissioned for the Barnet Family Children’s Chapel offers a direct connection to ancient tradition. Mounted on the wall across from the chapel windows, its seven branches beautifully echo the menorah of Israel’s Holy Temple. The choice of blue and white for the menorah is symbolic, reflecting the historical colors of Jewish heritage, evident in everything from the traditional tallit(prayer shawl) to the flag of Israel itself.
The
CHILDREN'S HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL TOWER
The Children’s Holocaust Memorial Tower will be Chihuly’s latest commission for Jack’s House. Dedicated to the 1.5 million Jewish children killed during the genocide, the sculpture will be the only Holocaust memorial in the Hamptons and will be dedicated during the summer of 2025.
Images: Artwork by Dale Chihuly. © Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.