Chanukah Celebrations Highlight Silversmith Bernard Bernstein's Craft
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Chanukah begins Tuesday at sundown, and WCBS 880's Jane Tillman Irving talked to an artist whose work is central to the celebration.
At the 92nd Street Y, Bernard Bernstein crafts and teaches Judaica -- Jewish ceremonial objects.
"I see myself as a teacher who does silversmithing, rather than a silversmith who does teaching," Bernstein said.
Chanukah Celebrations Highlight Silversmith Bernard Bernstein's Craft - Part 1
When the New-York Historical Society bought his Chanukah lamp four years ago, he explained why it's not a menorah.
"I call a Chanukah lamp something that is used only for the Chanukah ritual," he said. "The word 'menorah' actually refers to a candelabrum that has seven lights, while Chanukah lamp has nine."
The lamp is a series of graceful, gothic-inspired pointed arches. Smooth and unadorned, Bernstein's work lets the sterling silver shine.
Bernstein said he really found his calling in graduate school in the 1960s.
"I decided to do a Jewish ritual object, a silver crown for the Torah," Bernstein said.
His work aroused much interest at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
"They called the newspaper, who came and interviewed me and took a picture of me working on the crown," he said.
Chanukah Celebrations Highlight Silversmith Bernard Bernstein's Craft - Part 2
Bernstein's doctoral thesis continued to use Judaica theme, and he taught metal work at his alma mater, City College.
His own style is mid-century modern. Irving asked him if he ever thinks of famous early American silversmiths.
"I see myself as the spiritual descedent of Paul Revere," Bernstein said with a chuckle. "Or maybe I should say Myer Myers, the first Jewish silversmith in New York."
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