Legendary Icons Visit Jewish Woodworkers Group

Woodworkers are literally pouring out of the woodwork as The Jewish Woodworkers of Atlanta (JWW) emerges as a popular group attracting more than 50 members who gather to shmooze about their love of woodworking. With one year under their wings and monthly meetings on the first Sunday of each month, they recently featured two highly acclaimed woodworkers who presented their passion for the craft and outstanding careers.

The renown wood turner Philip Moulthrop, whose works are proudly displayed in the White House and Smithsonian, appeared in April. Dr. Abraham Tesser, who is a celebrated and accomplished woodworker residing in Athens, spoke to the group in May. Moulthrop and Tesser’s paths had previously crossed at a first-time ever regional exhibition in 2017. Dr. Tesser had envisioned a wood art show in his region that celebrated artistry in wood and gave the craftsmen he admired a place to show and sell their work. A representative of the Oconee Culture Arts Foundation where he is a member asked if he’d consider curating a wood art show and “Wood Works 2017: A Regional Exhibition” was born.

Legendary woodturner Philip Moulthrop (center) is featured with his work of art at The Jewish Wood Workers Group.

Dr. Tesser, known to many as a retired research psychologist with extensive award-winning credentials, went to work. Tesser curated the show with the medium of wood, high caliber, superb construction and a flawless finish. Philip and Matt Moulthrop, members of the recognized ‘first family’ in artistic wood turning in the U.S., agreed to participate, plus Sabiha Mujtaba and Alf Sharp, important members of Tesser’s personal pantheon of furniture makers, and 40 outstanding artists.

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Philip Moulthrop, well known to collectors, hails from one of the all-time greatest woodturning families, and is an artist from Marietta. He started woodturning in 1979, learning the basics of woodturning from his father, Ed, who was a pioneer in the wood-turning world. Philip’s son, Matt, has also followed in his footsteps, and the Moulthrop name has reached international acclaim.

A magnificent redwood table created by Dr. Abraham Tesser.

Most famous for his large lathe-turned bowls and his pioneering composite technique, Philip has a BA from West Georgia College and Juris Doctor from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law. He studied and practiced law before beginning his artistic career, which ultimately became his lifelong passion. Moulthrop’s work resides in the collections of the High Museum, Museum of Arts and Design, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, Renwick Gallery, and White House Collection of American Crafts.

Philip’s presentation was a huge hit at the JWW meeting in April featuring a slide show of his family history in the wood-turning world (father Ed and son Matt) as well as his techniques and specially designed and fabricated tools for perfecting his craft. He showed his processes from log harvesting, selection, rough cutting, drying, final turning to his famous minimal thickness walls and finishing. Afterwards, he took questions from the attendees, many of whom are woodturners themselves.

Dr. Tesser’s Judaica art entitled, “Rabbi’s Table.”

JWW member Doug Pisik, a nationally recognized artist, was inspired by Philip Moulthrop early in his career and commented, “I’m a full-time wood artist and, in 2007, was accepted into my first museum showing at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art exhibiting two of my art boxes. Philip was at the opening with his talented son, Matt, and I’ve been a fan of his work and knew how important he was to the woodworking community. I was surprised when Philip asked me about my techniques. He was attentive, sincerely interested, and invited me to his workshop where he walked me through every step of his process. My first exhibition will always be memorable because of his interest, generosity, and I am thankful for the grace Philip continues to show to other woodworkers.”

Next, thanks to a recommendation from Richard Friedman, one of the premier Bible scholars in the country and a former professor of Bible studies at UGA and friend, professor emeritus Abraham Tesser was recommended to JWW. Dr. Tesser graciously gave a presentation to the group entitled, “What is a Nice Jewish Boy doing in the Woodshop?” Tesser, who worked for 30 years as a research psychologist and academic career at UGA, retired in fall 1999, and became serious about woodworking following retirement. His award-winning works have been featured in woodworking books and magazines including Fine Woodworking.

In his local Jewish community, Tesser was the founding President of the Athens Jewish Film Festival, and is active in his local synagogue, Congregation Children of Israel. Dr. Tesser’s groundbreaking contributions as a research psychologist increased the understanding of how people compare and evaluate themselves relative to others. His scholarly record and contributions have been recognized by many honors, including the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, the Distinguished Lifetime Career Award, and the NIMH Research Scientist Award.

Philip Moulthrop speaks to the JWW about his works of art and family history.

After retiring, Dr. Tesser turned his talents to studio art — specifically creating beautiful furniture that has been featured across the Southeast, and development of a new certificate program in furniture design and fabrication at the UGA, bringing his artistry into the classroom. Dr. Tesser, along with his dedicated and accomplished wife, Carmen, who is a retired UGA professor of romance languages, have given generously to their community including endowing a cantorial position for their congregation.

Both events were a huge success and founder of JWW, Ed Gerson, commented, “JWW was so honored to have both Philip Moulthrop and Dr. Abraham Tesser spend time with our group as they are a credit to the field of woodworkers. We are a group of over 50 Jewish guys and a few women who take woodworking seriously. The legendary Moulthrop and Tesser are unparalleled examples of visionaries who mastered the craft, and we were truly honored that they agreed to spend time with us.”

He added, “We started as a small group of handy Jews who knew how to fix and create things and wanted an opportunity for comradery and sharing ideas. Some of us are retired and others work full- or part-time, ranging from lawyers, consultants, doctors, construction, technology and even one retired nuclear physicist. The one thing we all have in common is a love of woodworking and we are grateful to these icons for sharing their passion with us.”

To join the Jewish Wood Working group which is free and always open, send your name and woodworking interest to egerson@comcast.net.