Blue Christmas controversy at Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters goes blue

A Facebook war has erupted over Urban Outfitters’ use of certain words deemed impolite. In the words of one commenter, 

 the bottom line is that this is the holidays, we celebrate the birth of Christ! He certainly does not promote such filth! Shame on you Urban Outfitters!

One thing worth noting: so-called filthy words are commonly described as profane. However, at least within the Jewish/Christian context, the scope of the biblical prohibition on improper language is rather narrow, extending only to false oath-taking and abuse of the covenantal divine name YHVH. Outside of this context, biblical language can get rather salty.

Slate has a solid write-up of the language questions here

Jewely, Judaica and nation-building

Check out Haaretz has a fascinating report on a new exhibit in Israel on the role of modernist Judaica metalwork in forging a national identity.

At graduate exhibitions of Israeli academies’ jewelry design departments, you can find lots of creative work – from trendy pieces to unusual clothing accessories. Sharon Weiser-Ferguson, an associate curator at the Israel Museum, would be glad if young designers showed an interest in Judaica, too.

It’s not so far-fetched because Judaica was once very popular at the metalworking department of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.

“A different kind of Judaica can be produced,” says Weiser-Ferguson, the curator of the exhibition “Forging Ahead: Wolpert and Gumbel, Israeli Silversmiths for the Modern Age,” which opened Friday at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

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