Two days after the Oct. 7 massacre, when we still hadn't grasped the magnitude of the devastating event, I wandered the streets of Tel Aviv, seeking a semblance of normalcy between the sirens. As usual, I passed by the large silver jewelry store near my home. This time, however, unlike the routine days before the war that had suddenly upended our lives, something drew me inside. "I need a Star of David," I told myself.
"You know, it's strange," the salesperson said. "You're the third woman to come in today asking for a Star of David necklace."
Looking back, I realize I didn't know at the time that my inner need was a collective one. A few days later, it seemed as if the entire country was adorned with Star of David necklaces. They were visible on women in the street, on soldiers, on news presenters and panel guests, on religious and secular individuals alike. Everywhere you looked, you could see the pair of triangles not only proudly displayed on flags but also worn close to our hearts.
Jewelry has always been a means of personal expression and a symbol of individuality. The concept of jewelry is ancient, dating back to the dawn of history. Archaeological excavations in the caves of our early ancestors reveal jewelry created some 100,000 years ago. The first pieces of jewelry were made from animal bones, stones, and wood, and were more practical in nature, helping "cave dwellers" secure their clothing or join pieces of leather. Archaeological evidence shows, however, that our ancient ancestors began using these small objects to adorn themselves and as decorations in general.
Nevertheless, for the Jewish people, jewelry has never been merely decorative. There are many examples of gemstones and small objects that carried important spiritual significance, not only during the times they were worn and displayed, but also as family heirlooms throughout history and into modern times. These include the priestly breastplate, mezuzah, Star of David, hamsa, chai symbol, and various amulets, Kabbalistic ornaments, wedding rings, and bracelets. Judaica jewelry is a microcosm of Jewish faith and tradition, symbolizing protection, love, prosperity, and even Jerusalem, the golden queen.
Healing trauma
It seems that in the past year, the place of jewelry, especially Star of David jewelry, has experienced a renewed awakening. Our symbol has shaken off the dust and returned to us with great strength and a new spirit – not just among religious or traditional Jews, but across all sectors, in Israel and around the world.
"Jewelry has a deep meaning in times of crisis," explains design researcher Noy Alon, a lecturer and manager of social media and digital archives in the jewelry design department at Shenkar College. "The Star of David as jewelry has existed for thousands of years. Jewelry has had a function since the dawn of human culture. It's primarily an amulet, and then it symbolizes identity."
Throughout history, jewelry has reflected much more than being decorative objects, and in fact, they are among the oldest archaeological finds discovered. The oldest was found right here in Israel near Mount Carmel, made of shell beads dating back 100,000 years. Culture and symbolism greatly influenced the history of jewelry design, and there was a belief surrounding them that whoever wore the jewelry, or more accurately the amulet, also carried protection on themselves.
The origin of the Star of David can be traced back thousands of years in Eastern cultures, as a popular symbol in pagan traditions, as well as a decorative element used in churches from the first century, and even in Muslim culture. In the Hebrew context, "Magen David" (Shield of David) is a term first mentioned in the Babylonian Talmud not as a symbol, but as an epithet for God. Later, according to Jewish culture, the symbol adorned the shields of King David's army, and even Rabbi Akiva chose the Star of David as a symbol for the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman emperor.
"The Star of David is essentially a Jewish amulet, and there are many superstitious and religious beliefs surrounding it," Alon explains. "It provides protection, safeguarding, security, health. In moments of crisis, we cling to an amulet that will protect us. On Oct. 7, the blow to our personal and collective self was very severe, and a Star of David necklace is a kind of counter-reaction to the event. It brings us back and connects us to our identity."
From the very first hours, Alon recounts, she began to see searches for Star of David jewelry on social media, especially among men and women who went out to fight in the field, and later a general flooding of the market. "Our need to imbue meaning into an item is not new, it always exists, but it resurfaced with the outbreak of the war. The greater the trauma, the stronger the counter-reaction."
Aesthetics alongside meaning
In the local market, many designers and silversmiths began to create and produce out of an internal drive and need. "On Oct. 7, we all looked for what we could do, how we could identify and contribute," says designer Shlomit Ofir. "We wanted to show what we feel inside on the outside, and jewelry has the ability to express that. It's not a piece of clothing that you change or a flag you wrap yourself in. It's small, delicate, expresses emotion, and has emotional value, and from there it expresses a desire for belonging and identification."
Ofir, who focuses on commercial fashion jewelry, hadn't designed a Star of David jewelry piece until that moment. "It felt religious to me. I'm Jewish and I love my religion, but I didn't feel the need to wear something with an overtly religious symbol because it's less cool or interesting, and my line is more commercial."
The first Star of David jewelry piece Ofir designed was released two weeks after the war broke out. "It's a donation piece, because we as a local business also wanted to contribute and help, so a percentage of the proceeds went to donations for residents of communities near Gaza."
Ofir designed the Star of David jewelry piece as a hollow part within a heart pendant. "The collective heart with the hole torn in the shape of a Star of David symbolizes for me the love alongside the pain," she explains.
The jewelry piece immediately went viral and sold tens of thousands of units worldwide, and the brand managed to raise close to 400,000 shekels ($108,000) that was donated. Due to demand, Ofir released several more Star of David jewelry pieces in different designs: "I adapted the Star of David to turn it into a fashionable item, desirable, with a design statement."
Another dimension
Designer Moran Bar Morano, owner of the MORANO jewelry brand, whose Star of David necklace can be seen on almost every news presenter on television, also felt the enormous demand for Star of David jewelry. "I think I sold 700 Star of David necklaces in two months," she says. Morano, who designed a Star of David necklace for Gal Gadot three years ago, dealt with the growing demand. "From an economic perspective, I think that's what saved my business. I'm a small business, a brand, in times of crisis we always incur losses, but this time everyone wanted Star of David jewelry, and it really gave some breathing room," she says.
Morano has been focusing for years on a line that highlights the geometric and clean shape, so the Star of David, two triangles, seems like a natural continuation of her creative character. "The three-dimensional Star of David is very minimalist and delicate on one hand and luxurious on the other in terms of the materials I work with."
The design response of the jewelers created a movement that elevated the Star of David from a religious symbol to a fashion item, and also one with economic value. "We're used to seeing classic jewelry, ones we inherited or designed simply, but suddenly there's innovation in design, there are new combinations and also use of luxurious materials like gold and setting of stones or diamonds that increase the value," Alon explains. "The Star of David takes on another dimension, a different proportion and more messages that blend inside, like the map of the country or a date."
Designer and silversmith Neta Wolpe, who has been working in the field for more than three decades, draws her inspiration from items from the 18th and 19th centuries. "Symbols within Jewish craftsmanship are very present in our roots," she says. "The Star of David is a very ancient archetype, and within what I do I look for elements that suit women. Art and jewelry go hand in hand, it touches the heart and I look for that place of love and uniqueness when I approach designing a jewelry piece."
"Jewelry with a Star of David was perceived until recently as something very masculine. The combination of the strong symbol with stones or a vintage look blends with a whole set of jewelry that women wear on themselves," Wolpe explains. "In the past year, I can see customers from all sectors with Star of David jewelry, it answers an inner need. Judaism belongs to all of us, and after the severe blow, the identity perception awakened anew."
Former television personality and current jewelry designer Tal Man has been producing Star of David jewelry since the beginning of her career in the field, 14 years ago. "There are different versions that accompany me. I love jewelry with symbols, and the Star of David allows me to create a geometric and visual play. I infuse an additional design touch beyond the clear lines of the symbol. The Be'eri design, named after Kibbutz Be'eri, is actually a Star of David wrapped in hearts, while in the 'Shield of David' design I used only the outlines. Each time I play a bit with the design to create interest and beauty beyond the standard shape," Man says.
"Since the war period, I feel a significant growth in demand for the Star of David. We all want to feel protected after we lost our sense of security, we want to unite under our Jewish symbol as a people, to feel strength and hope."
Dialogue with Judaism
Diaspora Jews regularly maintain a relationship with religion and the state as a result of geographical distance and the need to be part of a community. Here in Israel, we're all one big community, so we usually don't feel the need for this dialogue. Our very presence in Israel is a statement that affects all our ways of life.
"In Israel, no one was interested in Star of David jewelry, it was mainly a gift for a bar mitzvah or a ceremony of a religious nature," says Wolpe. "In the US, I worked with three distributors in the Judaica field and had a wide collection for bat mitzvah and bar mitzvah, for people who have an affinity for religion. When I returned to focus only on the Israeli market, there was no demand for it at all, secular people certainly weren't interested in jewelry of this kind. Since Oct. 7, we're all in a new identity perception regarding our Judaism, maybe because something in our existential security was shaken. Israelis suddenly identify their Judaism anew, they want things to be good and wear emblems on themselves, and it doesn't matter which side of the political map you belong to. We all have this connection that gives us pride."
Ifat Oved, who opened her independent brand five years ago after working alongside her father, who was one of the pioneers of the diamond industry in Israel, has been designing jewelry with Jewish emblems for years and operates a lot overseas as well. Oved designed her first Star of David jewelry piece 20 years ago, as a powerful symbol connecting all Jewish people in Israel and around the world. With the outbreak of the war, Ifat felt the need to design an entire collection named Land of Israel, with the Star of David as its leading symbol.
"Jewelry is something eternal, closest to us and placed directly on the body and skin, and what's more connected to us as Jews than the Star of David, which will always remain and guide us? We so need it close to us now. I'm very connected to spirituality, especially from the Jewish angle, so I felt the need to design a jewelry piece that's part of our heritage."
Oved, who also sells in stores overseas, reports that since the outbreak of the war, the demand for Star of David jewelry has risen significantly. "There was a very great interest in jewelry with Stars of David, and also in those with additional Jewish symbols. Everywhere you could see Jews wearing the jewelry with pride," she recounts.
Diaspora Jews, especially in the US, felt that their connection to Israel, as well as their Jewish identity, deepened after Oct. 7. A significant rise in antisemitic incidents since the outbreak of the war strengthened the sense of solidarity among Jews, which increased the need to wear symbols of Judaism.
Rachie Shnay is an inspiring jewelry designer and Jewish activist, born in New York as the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. Her creations reflect her deep Jewish identity and embrace the eternal heritage of her people. Her "Mazal" collection is a powerful expression of strength, a characteristic that defines diamonds. Her jewelry can be seen on celebrities around the world, from Noa Tishby, through Montana Tucker, Debra Messing, Selma Blair and others. Just like in Israel, overseas too, Jews who didn't see themselves as religious or those who wear Jewish emblems, saw fit to display their Judaism openly and without shame.
"When the event is collective, we choose our symbol, our icon that will convey the message," Alon explains. "In our case, it's the Star of David. Our body is a message, it's political. We broadcast ourselves outward. There are those who see what we wear. It's an action that comes as a response to an event. We buy a Star of David necklace not just for ourselves – but also for the world. Come see, I'm Israeli, Jewish, connected to this land and this country – and no one will take that away from us."
