* THE ART OF JEWISH PAPER-CUTTING: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP *

Cutting pictures out of paper is a traditional Eastern European folk art. Jewish paper cuts are called "papir shnitte" and often incorporate designs such as menorahs, animals, the Tree of Life; and the walled city of Jerusalem.

In this hands-on workshop, Itke McCrea will teach us about the background and art of Jewish paper cutting with some inspiring examples, including images she has designed and cut herself based on this recognizable traditional style.

Then, workshop participants will have a chance to experiment with drawing and cutting your own Jewish paper cut images. Paper cuts can be hung in a window or displayed against a contrasting colored background. Taking place just before Hanukkah, this workshop is the perfect time to make Hanukkah cards or festive decorations!

They are created by folding a piece of paper in half, cutting the design through both pieces of paper with a craft knife (such as an X-Acto knife), and unfolding the completed paper cut like a valentine heart. The design is then pasted onto a larger piece of paper or cardstock of a contrasting color.

No experience necessary. All materials (various types and colors of paper, and X-Acto knives or scissors) will be provided. ALL AGES WELCOME!

REGISTRATION

Registration required. The suggested contribution for this workshop is $18+ / pay-what-you-can (No one turned away for lack of funds). Donations are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor Rad Yiddish. Please let us know on the registration form if you have access requests or anything you'd like the event organizers to know to support your participation.

DIRECTIONS & ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility info:

This is a masked event. If you are unable to mask, you are still welcome at this event. We operate with the understanding then when all or most people in a space are masked, we create a safer space for everyone. You can read our full masking policy at bit.ly/MaskingYFFFL

WORKSHOP LEADER BIO

EDITH (ITKE) OTCHIN MCCREA is a creative person who lives in Ithaca, NY. In 2013, a community-made music video of her song, "You've Been Fracked!" won the national #DontFrackNY video contest sponsored by Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon. Itke went on to write several more environmentalist songs and make them into music videos. She then spent some time as a puppeteer, writer, and director for Magic Garden Puppets, a Waldorf marionette troupe based in Cortland, NY, and as a puppet and props builder and puppeteer for The Cherry Theatre in Ithaca. A 2021 graduate of the YIVO summer program, Itke was accepted as a Yiddish Book Center Translation Fellow in 2022-23, translating Shira Gorshman's Yiddish novel, Khanes shof un rinder (Hanah's Sheep and Cattle) into English, which was published by Cornell University Press/Northern Illinois University Press in October 2025.

EVENT SERIES

This event is part of Yiddish Folklife Festival of the Finger Lakes (YFFFL)'s 2026 event series taking place in venues around Ithaca, NY. Join our mailing list: bit.ly.yffflnews to find out about upcoming events!

YFFFL SUPPORTERS

We thank our sponsors: Temple Beth El and Congregation Tikkun V'Or for supporting Yiddish Folklife Festival of the Finger Lakes!

We thank our funder: This event is made possible in part with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Community Arts Partnership.