Most Judaica gifts for a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah are objects for use: a kiddush cup, a set of candlesticks, a book. An original painting is a different kind of present. It goes on the wall of a young person’s room now and can move with them to their first home later. This guide covers how to choose an original Judaic painting as a bar or bat mitzvah gift, using works from Chaya Koritz‘s collection as examples, and how to plan around size, timing and framing.
Start with what the child cares about
A painting chosen for the parents’ taste tends to end up in the hallway. Before you look at any artwork, think about the person: a child who loves Jerusalem, a family that prays at the Kotel whenever they visit, a teenager who would rather have something joyful than solemn. Chaya paints from her studio in Jerusalem, and her subjects come from Jewish life and sacred places: Jerusalem and its stone, prayer at the Western Wall, Chasidic dance and devotion, the menorah and the Beit HaMikdash. One of those themes usually fits the child.
Paintings about the tallit and prayer
For a family where the tallit and prayer at the Kotel mean a lot, two paintings stand out.
Threads of Time: Tallit and Tradition
Threads of Time: Tallit and Tradition shows men wrapped in their tallit, standing shoulder to shoulder at the Kotel, their tallitot flowing like threads that connect them to one another and to the generations before them. It is acrylic on canvas and measures 100×80 cm (39×32 in). The palette is soft neutrals, muted earth tones and subtle warm accents. On the painting’s page, Chaya calls the tallit “one of the most beautiful symbols in Jewish life”, a garment “that wraps you in faith”.
Wrapped in Faith, Bathed in Gold
Wrapped in Faith, Bathed in Gold shows a group of Hasidic men wrapped in their tallit, immersed in prayer at the Kotel. The palette is rich, deep blues with accents of warm gold. It is acrylic on canvas, 80×80 cm (32×32 in), one of the more compact originals in the collection, which makes it easier to place in a bedroom or study.
For a child who loves the Kotel
In Sacred Blue: A Moment at the Kotel, Chaya immersed the whole scene in shades of blue: the figures in prayer, the ancient stones and the sky. She writes that blue is “the colour of contemplation, of the heavens, of the tzitzit”. It is acrylic on canvas, 80×90 cm (32×35 in), and sits in the Kotel and Western Wall Paintings collection.
For a celebration that feels like joy
A bar or bat mitzvah is a happy day, and some families want a painting that carries that mood. Circle of Faith – Expressive Hasidic Dance in Jewish Art shows three Hasidic men dancing in a radiant circle of gold, with no floor and no horizon. It is one of the few works in the collection made with gold leaf: acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, 80×80 cm (32×32 in). Chaya notes that the gold leaf catches the light in a way that shifts as you move. More works on this theme are in Hasidic Art and Chasidic Paintings.
Check the size before you choose
Chaya’s originals range from 70×90 cm to 100×150 cm, so none of them is a small object. A teenager’s room often has less free wall than a living room, so find out roughly where the painting would hang. The 80×80 cm works above are among the smaller pieces. Our guide on what size painting suits your wall shows how to measure.
The studio also offers giclee prints and hand-embellished prints of a curated selection of Chaya’s most popular works, but not of every painting. If a print would suit the budget or the room better, ask whether one exists for the painting you like. Original Painting or Giclee Print? explains the difference.
Giving it together
An original painting is a substantial present. Grandparents often give it as the main gift, and aunts, uncles or a group of family friends can also give it together. If the celebration is soon, a printed photo of the painting inside a card works well on the day, with the original following later.
Timing, framing and care
Original paintings and prints are carefully packaged and shipped from Israel, and delivery times depend on your location and the shipping method. There is no fixed delivery date, so ask before you order. Select the piece, leave your contact details, and one of the studio’s art associates will contact you by phone or email to discuss the order.
For international orders, paintings and prints are shipped rolled, and the FAQ recommends framing them in your home country. In Israel, the studio can offer framing. A painting can be sent framed, but that significantly increases the shipping cost. To care for it, keep it out of direct sunlight and high humidity, and dust it gently with a soft, dry cloth. If a painting arrives damaged, contact the studio within 7 days with photos.
Want something made for them?
Chaya also paints commissioned paintings for homes and for sacred spaces such as synagogues. A commission starts with a description of the space, the subject and the colours you have in mind. If you want it ready for the celebration, ask about timing before you promise a date. For other occasions, see our guides to Jewish wedding gift art and Hanukkah gift art.
Questions about bar and bat mitzvah gift paintings
Can a painting be shipped outside Israel?
Yes, worldwide to countries that allow shipments from Israel. Costs and delivery times depend on the location, so leave your contact details and an art associate will confirm.
Can I commission a painting for a bar or bat mitzvah?
Yes. Contact the studio through the website or by email and describe what you are looking for.
To ask about any of these paintings or about delivery before the celebration, get in touch with Chaya Koritz’s studio and tell us who the gift is for and when it needs to arrive.
