Dimensions: 35 cm diameter x 95 cm high
Materials: Cherry, custom made embroidery

Sergeant Nissim Ovadia Alon from the Golani Brigade fell during active duty in 1992. On the occasion of the twentieth year of his passing his family chose to dedicate a torah scroll in his memory. In addition to this very meritorious contribution they also wished to house the torah in a unique, hand-crafted wooden case – one that would evoke a personal connection to the holy book and the soldier in whose memory it was inscribed.

In this venture Kimchi collaborated with embroidery artist Sarah Shevach. The concept incorporated is that of the tree of life. Through careful planning and close cooperation with Shevach Kimchi succeeded in creating the impression that the wooden branches metamorphose into the embroidery. An additional aspect of the tree motif is that it recalls the family name of the fallen. (Alon means oak tree in Hebrew.) Finally, at some level it also is reminiscent of the Golani Brigade’s traditional emblem.

The torah scroll and case were dedicated in the Tekoa synagogue.  Those present at the occasion were deeply moved by the unique beauty of the work as well as by the  particular significance of the event.