Monday, November 13, 2006

Star-Crossed "Jesuzah"


Check out this odd Judeo-Christian "Jesuzah", a real star-crossed cross.
It takes pride of place beside the door of Earl and Shari Kessler's adobe house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. These globe-trotting folk art collectors purchased this synchronistic curio from a half-Jewish artisan at a local mercado. His forebears took refuge in Mexico, then border-hopped into the American Southwest, and came under the influence of Christian Evangelicals. The young craftsman was inspired to combine powerful symbols from both cultures. This was the result.

Adding a crescent moon in the mix wouldn't be exactly kosher, but the final product might be a fitting insignia for Jerusalem, bringing together signs of all three monotheistic religions. Actually, the official city emblem of Jerusalem recently had to be revamped because it was practically identical to the corporate logo of Peugeot motor cars. City fathers said they would make the rampant lion leaner and meaner to distinguish it from the French car makers' brand, and label it with the city's nametag.

The peculiar "cross of David" pictured above would make quite an apt emblem for the well-heeled Christian Zionists, who are visiting Israel in increasing numbers, funding the return of diaspora Jews and giving unwavering support for Israel's most hardline policies. Some think that the "times of tribulation" already are here and that the End Time is nigh. Click this for an eye-opening online article about the growing onslaught of foreign theo-cons, who upset the delicate religious balance of Jerusalem.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is art? Reminds me of Christmas decorations made in the far east, which botched the symbols badly and had Santa Claus crucified.
The info on the Christian Zionists is
sobering. These people see us as a means to the Second COMing...first we all have to die!

Anonymous said...

Oh this is very definately art and at the Spanish Colonial market in Santa Fe this and many more such artifacts can be found. In fact there is quite a literature about the Jews in New Mexico "conversos" or converts to some, as it is said, for the other term "marranos" or pigs is just not kosher.

ek