Guest Author - Julie L Baumler

For Christmas and Hanukkah gifts this year, I'm making Hebrew name bookmarks. Hebrew name bookmarks make great gifts and are easy to make with items you probably already have around the house. They can be used as decorations on larger gifts or mailed with a greeting card. They also make a fun project or learning aide when learning Hebrew. Three of them are shown here – the one on my left is a Christmas gift for my grandmother Ruth, the one on the left says Rissa under a Jewish Star, the one on the bottom says שָׁלוֹם (Shalom – peace).



Supplies:

• heavy paper or card stock scraps in appropriate sizes to make bookmarks


• short pieces of ribbon or yarn


• stickers, photos, or pictures for decoration (optional)


• marker or caligraphy pen


• hole punch or needle large for the yarn or ribbon

Directions:
If needed, cut your paper into an appropriate size for a bookmark. You can use any size you like, but most bookmarks are somewhere from 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wide and 5-8 inches (12-20 cm) long. I used some lightweight card stock scrap that was about 2 in by 6 in.

Attach the yarn or ribbon to the top of the bookmark. If you are using a needle, thread the yarn or ribbon onto the needle and push the needle through bookmark just below the top center. If you are using a hole punch, punch a hole just below the top center of the bookmark and thread your yarn or ribbon through the hole. Tie the yarn or ribbon off with an overhand or lark's head knot (or any other knot you think will look good.)

Copy the recipients name on the bookmark in Hebrew. My article, Your Name in Hebrew, shows you how to transliterate (convert) any name into Hebrew. Another option is to use the word שָׁלוֹם, which means peace. You can copy or trace it from the picture here. Don't worry about it looking perfect, this is an artistic effort and, like English, Hebrew letters can be written slightly differently for artistic purposes.

Decorate the bookmark with stickers, pictures or your own drawings. You may wish to add an English translation of the word used as well.

Have fun!