Sentimental Siddur Presentations Connect Generations
Four Davis Academy moms share what a meaningful tradition the December Siddur ceremony brought forward.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
For decades, some of the Jewish day schools have carried on the precious tradition of presenting young students with their own customized Siddur. Granted the “game has been upped” since this writer’s Epstein School experience with felt and glue in the 1990s, the sentiment still rings true.
Maggie Gallant Isenberg recalled, “We had no idea how special this tradition was to be. I received my Siddur at my bat mitzvah; the second-grade ceremony at Davis will truly be one of our most cherished memories. Between seeing the families present their designs to their children and read aloud their inscriptions and then … the musical performances by the kids, it brings tears to my eyes even still. I wish the whole world could have seen it.”
When she began designing daughter, Lucy’s, Siddur, Isenberg wanted to capture the essence of what “makes Lucy, Lucy (so loving and so much fun),” as well as celebrate the profound privilege of being Jewish. Isenberg felt lucky to have three of Lucy’s grandparents present and felt the presence of her recently deceased “Nana.”

She said, “I wanted the design to inspire her, as we say in the ‘Shema,’ to pray ‘with all her heart, with all her soul and with all her might.’ This event at Davis, I believe, further strengthened what we believe will be a lifelong bond with her faith and her people. What more could you want as a Jewish parent? Advice for parents … bring tissues, lots of tissues.”
Isenberg utilized her own PR agency’s Superjuice designer, Madison Mendel, to capture the essence of Lucy’s design, but also reflect what a privilege it is to come from the generations of proud Jewish people. She stated, “I could go on about this process, but I loved every minute of it. I had a fabulous artist embroider Madison’s designs with a company called Cinco de Mama.”
Parent Elaine Mebel Strauss, who spent her own early years at The Epstein School, now has two children at Davis Academy. She was stirred by son, Michael’s, engagement in the Siddur presentation process while harkening upon the tradition of Jewish women making needlepoint lifecycle gifts for their children.
She stated, “Having recently learned needlepoint, I wanted to use that for Michael’s Siddur cover. With some inspiration from the “The Nimble Needle,” I worked with Michael to design the cover.”

Together, they chose a Magen David and inside each triangle were his areas of interest: science, math, music, Lego’s, skiing, and space. On the back, they used stripes with various needlepoint stitches and shades of blue. Between July and November, several months were dedicated to needlepointing. Strauss continued, “It felt like the needlepoint was attached to my hip for a few months as I took it everywhere! The Davis Siddur ceremony itself was incredibly meaningful and several rabbis from across Atlanta were represented and spoke at Davis during the school morning Kabbalat shabbat service — it felt like our kids and all of us were getting a big hug from the entire Jewish community of Atlanta!”
Davis Academy music teacher Michelle Gimpelevich’s daughter, Rozalia’s, Siddur cover began with a trip to the fabric store to select textures and craft the design. On Friday, Dec. 13, Michelle experienced Kabbalat HaSiddur in a new and deeply personal way. As a music teacher at Davis Academy for 11 years, this was her tenth time conducting second graders receiving their Siddurim — but her first as a parent.
She said, “My daughter, Rozalia Esther, worked with her grandmother, Luna “Nunie” Cygielman, to design her beautiful Siddur cover. Surrounded by her grandparents, sister, Sasha, and my husband, Greg, and me — this moment beautifully blended tradition, creativity, and love, making it truly unforgettable.”
Parent Lauren Cohen, who owns her own craft business, found the Davis process a little “overwhelming,” starting from scratch (vs. Epstein where they provide a cover with the child’s name).
She stated, “I was working until the last second on my daughter’s design.” Cohen helps others and executes five to seven covers per year.
Isenberg concluded, “I can barely write about it without tearing up again!”
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