Smart Dreidel by Laura Cowan
What’s so smart about the Smart Dreidel?
Well, it teaches you how to play the dreidel game! Forgot what “Gimel” stands for? That’s easy, just read the text on the dreidel. “Gimel” means gain, you take the whole kitty. A cool and funky modern design using Laura’s signature themes of discs and cones.
This dreidel is included in Design Edition JM, a curated selection of modern and contemporary Jewish ritual objects by extraordinary designers commissioned and collected by The Jewish Museum in New York.
Material: Transparent Acrylic and anodized aluminum
Diameter: 8cm / 3 inches
Information About the Brand
Contemporary Judaica designer and Jewish artist Laura Cowan began her career in London after graduating in Silversmithing and Jewellery at London Guildhall University. She now brings her unique ideas to the field of Judaica, working from her design studio and workshop in Tel Aviv, Israel.
All Laura's products are original handcrafted pieces, including Seder Plates, Shabbat candlesticks, modern Menorot for Hannukah, Kiddush Cups, Dreidels and many different mezuzah designs.
Each piece is beautifully boxed making it an ideal gift for Jewish weddings, Jewish holidays, Bar or Bat Mitzvahs, as well as for housewarming and hostess gift giving.
Laura's fresh ideas contribute to a new wave of exciting Judaica design, shaking up the traditional Jewish gift market and generating worldwide interest. Her work is exhibited in galleries and museums around the world including The Jewish Museum in New York, The Vienna Jewish Museum and the Spertus Museum in Chicago.
Many of Laura's Judaica designs are inspired by the Sixties mission to land a man on the moon. Although this was achieved even before Laura was born, she was fascinated by the hype and excitement generated by the race to the moon. Laura also loves the irony of a futuristic design based on what is now history. Combining this with her Jewish upbringing and identity, Laura has produced many stunning pieces of modern Judaica.
Laura says, "In my mezuzah designs I use a simplified, pure rocket shape as a symbol of modernity. Each piece is given a further identity by the type of metal and finish chosen. For example, a mezuzah with a matt surface on white metal accentuates the futuristic look, while a distressed or antiqued brass finish adds an unexpected juxtaposition of past and future. I work on each contemporary mezuzah design adjusting the chemical concentration, timing and temperature until I have achieved the right shade or texture for that piece."Laura was thrilled when she was contacted by American Astronaut Greg Chamitoff. At a request from a former professor and a friend, he proposed to take two of Laura's mezuzot with him to the International Space Station. After passing NASA’s stringent tests they received the go ahead to send Laura's Apollo Mezuzah and Shuttle Mezuzah on Expedition 17, which blasted off in May 2008.