A Tribute to Barbara Trellis: Opening Reception
The Story Behind the Needlework Designs This free exhibit will be on display in the Rodef Shalom Congregation Jewish Museum from March 21 through April 21, 2025.


Time & Location:
Mar 26, 2025, 6:00 PM
Rodef Shalom Congregation Jewish Museum, 4905 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Details:
The Story Behind the Needlework Designs
This free exhibit will be on display in the Rodef Shalom Congregation Jewish Museum
from March 21 through April 21, 2025.
Barbara Trellis, z''l
A self-made textile designer and artist, Trellis graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), where she majored in Clothing and Design. Barbara's passion for needlepoint inspired her to launch a mid-life career teaching the craft to others. She ultimately became an ecclesiastical designer and was tapped to design and produce many large-scale installations for major Pittsburgh religious institutions. She carefully selected and led teams of volunteer stitchers from these organizations to execute her elaborate designs.
For Rodef Shalom, projects included Torah covers, altar chairs, banners depicting the Ten Commandments, and a wall hanging of the Torah portion from Leviticus. In addition, independently, she designed and constructed a silk appliqued chuppah. Her final contribution was a large, dramatic appliqued kidskin Menorah.
In addition, Trellis designed Torah covers for Beth Shalom, Torah covers and a chuppah for Beth El, a curtain and valance for the ark and lectern coverings for Poale Zedek, and an ark covering for Beth Israel in McKeesport. She designed a series of communion kneelers for the United Methodist Church in Mt. Lebanon.
The Rodef Shalom Congregation Jewish Museum is a member of the Council of American Jewish Museums.