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10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 1/5
THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
The Art of Friendship
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10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 2/5
(Credit Photos: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)
A number of years ago, I discovered a wonderful artist at a crafts festival in
Montgomery County, Maryland. The artist is John Akkus, and he makes
beautiful Judaica using the art of metal spinning.
What I didn’t know was that John, a Turkish Muslim artist, taught himself to
make, of all things, Judaica art!
Here is an example of a beautiful, intricate menorah from John that we saw
yesterday at the Capital Art and Craft Festival.
10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 3/5
And here are some of John’s engraved circular boxes with shalom, a dove of
peace, chai, and a Star of David.
10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 4/5
When I asked John how he got involved in making Jewish artwork, he told me
that this is what his clients were asking for, and he was happy to answer the call
for his Jewish customers and friends.
When I saw John and his lovely wife at the festival yesterday, he immediately
gave me a big hug and told me we were brothers. He explained beautifully that it
doesn’t matter that he is Muslim and I am Jewish, because we are all one!
I genuinely feel not only the talent and beauty of John’s artistic creations but
also the love that he has for his friends, and it doesn’t matter what their religion
is. We are brothers because we are friends and respect each other. Maybe this is
the bridge that art can create between people, but it also takes special people to
recognize that we are indeed brothers and sisters, all of us!
My hope and prayer is that this is just a small microcosm of friendship and
peace that can spread in all communities, societies, nations, and lands, so that
we are no longer black or white, Jew, Muslim, or Christian, or any other divisive
label, but rather that we are all children of G-d, and plain and simple, friends.
10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 5/5
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
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The Art of Friendship.pdf

  • 1. 10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 1/5 THE BLOGS Andy Blumenthal Leadership With Heart The Art of Friendship ADVERTISEMENT
  • 2. 10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 2/5 (Credit Photos: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal) A number of years ago, I discovered a wonderful artist at a crafts festival in Montgomery County, Maryland. The artist is John Akkus, and he makes beautiful Judaica using the art of metal spinning. What I didn’t know was that John, a Turkish Muslim artist, taught himself to make, of all things, Judaica art! Here is an example of a beautiful, intricate menorah from John that we saw yesterday at the Capital Art and Craft Festival.
  • 3. 10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 3/5 And here are some of John’s engraved circular boxes with shalom, a dove of peace, chai, and a Star of David.
  • 4. 10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 4/5 When I asked John how he got involved in making Jewish artwork, he told me that this is what his clients were asking for, and he was happy to answer the call for his Jewish customers and friends. When I saw John and his lovely wife at the festival yesterday, he immediately gave me a big hug and told me we were brothers. He explained beautifully that it doesn’t matter that he is Muslim and I am Jewish, because we are all one! I genuinely feel not only the talent and beauty of John’s artistic creations but also the love that he has for his friends, and it doesn’t matter what their religion is. We are brothers because we are friends and respect each other. Maybe this is the bridge that art can create between people, but it also takes special people to recognize that we are indeed brothers and sisters, all of us! My hope and prayer is that this is just a small microcosm of friendship and peace that can spread in all communities, societies, nations, and lands, so that we are no longer black or white, Jew, Muslim, or Christian, or any other divisive label, but rather that we are all children of G-d, and plain and simple, friends.
  • 5. 10/17/22, 3:49 PM The Art of Friendship | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-art-of-friendship/ 5/5 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life, culture, and security. All opinions are his own. ADVERTISEMENT AdChoices Sponsored Conversation Log in Sign up Be the first to comment... Powered by Terms | Privacy | Feedback