Lipa Shmeltzer promised Obama a kippah and this week it is available. Will the president wear it?

May 19, 2016   

The truth is, I was restless for a period of nearly five months, but the record was broken this week, when I didn't close my eyes for over 36 hours. The opportunity to give a gift - handmade - to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama is a dream come true and a great excitement for me. Last Hanukkah, I was a guest at the White House, as you know. The President lit the menorah with the President of the State of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, at his side, and during the singing of "Maoz Tzur," I raised my voice and caught the President's attention. Immediately afterward, the President walked among the guests and shook their hands, and when I came to me, I spontaneously told him that I intended to give him a gold and silver embroidered kippah as a gift. "I've always wanted a kippah made of gold and silver," President Obama replied with a smile. Since then, those words have been running through my head over and over again.

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I didn't originally plan to say these things to the president, and as they say, this promise came out of my mouth in a moment of spontaneity... I've been performing on stages all over the world for 17 years. And as you know me, I try to provide a different experience beyond singing and dancing. Whether it's in the special details of my attire, such as the special glasses and the colorful kitsch. But most of all, I'm proud of the kippah on my head, which expresses my commitment to the Torah, to faith in God, and to Jewish values. Even with the kippah I wear, I try to express my creativity in different ways. By giving the president a kippah - a garment that is so important to me, I hoped that this powerful connection of individuality and spirituality would reach him, regardless of his religion. One of my artist friends is a designer and composer. I asked him for help in designing the kippah. He agreed, and in return, I promised to write Yiddish lyrics for a number of songs he had recently composed. When I left with the 'design outline', I headed to 'Best Embroidery', an embroidery shop in Brooklyn that specializes in the production and special orders of all kinds of kippahs and tallitot and Torah scroll covers. Although I told the Obamas that the kippah would be made of gold and silver, I quickly realized that I would not be able to make it entirely from these materials, among other things for practical reasons – the price... Instead, I attached silver buttons to the kippah, similar to those familiar from the crown of the tallit. In the design of the kippah, I incorporated the names of the President and the First Lady, along with the colors of the US flag and the Israeli flag. I also incorporated design elements of the White House and the Tower of David in Jerusalem.

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A few days ago, I was invited to perform at a local synagogue in Washington, D.C. I decided to take the opportunity to present my gift to the Obamas. I arrived at the White House at 2:30 p.m., having coordinated the visit with my contact there, who promised to take me on a personal guided tour of the White House on the way. To be honest, he made it clear to me in all honesty that I would not be able to deliver my gift directly to the leader of the free world, nor did I expect it to be. However, he promised me that he would personally see to it that the gift reached the President. I don't know if the President will use the new dome, or if he will choose to hang the poem I wrote, which is called "Obama's", on the wall of their house in Washington. Maybe they will only find a place for it when they move away. But in any case, I - I kept my promise. Obamaism When feeling grateful I thank Obama When praying kingdoms I breathe Obama When lack of acceptance I thirst Obama When in need of healing I treasure Obama When putting on Yarmulkas I trust Obama When lighting candles I thrive Obama When devouring Matzah I love Obama When wishing for tolerance I Act Like Obama But for Obama's good fortune Thank you Michelle. [gallery]