Custom engagement ring designer offers a truly bespoke experience.
Susie Saltzman, owner and chief designer at Susie Saltzman Fine Jewelry, creates one-of-a kind engagement rings that are modern yet timeless.
The Manhattan jeweler helps couples source their center diamonds and custom design their ring. She also creates wedding bands, earrings, and necklaces.
Engagement rings are a significant financial and emotional purchase, which can be stressful without the right guidance, she says.
Saltzman, 39, strives to turn the designing of an engagement ring into “a stress-free process filled with thought, intention, love and joy.
“The majority of the clients that I work with, this is usually one of their most significant investments to date,” she says. “They can be overwhelmed and not know where to start.”
About half of her clients work together as a couple. “I like to think that we are removing the stress from the situation and functioning as a trusted knowledgeable friend who’s really guiding them through the process.”
The designer sees clients in person and virtually from around the world. “I like to think that the experience is so personalized that you hardly feel the distance.”
Covid had little impact on her business because she was already working virtually. “When Covid initially hit, there was a bit of trepidation. I think people were hesitant about making a big investment like this, but 2020 turned out to be my best year yet,” she said.
Susie Saltzman Photo by Magi Fisher
A single Jewish mother, Saltzman lives in Brooklyn with her three-year-old daughter, Isla.
Her job in product development at Tiffany’s was a springboard to her solo career that began 10 years ago.
Originally from northwest of Chicago, Saltzman went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and studied fashion merchandizing. As graduation approached, she became more interested in 3-D product design than apparel. Her first job out of school was at a cosmetic and fragrance company. She helped them with product development and packaging design.
At night, she would bead jewelry while watching TV as a way to relax. “I liked working with my hands and the more I did it, I thought I wanted to learn how to make real jewelry.” So she went to school at night and developed the manual skills for working with different types of fine jewelry. Then she applied for the job at Tiffany’s on a whim, never thinking she would get it. “That set my path for hopefully what will be the better part of my life.”
The fine jewelry industry offered her the connections and opportunity to explore custom design and fabrication. “When family and friends (and eventually strangers) asked for help navigating their search for the perfect engagement ring, I was able to help them.”
She doesn’t deliver just a piece of physical jewelry. “I think the intangible and arguably more important part of what we’re delivering or creating with our clients is a memory and experience, an heirloom and a keepsake.”
She says she finds inspiration for her work in nature, architecture, watching her daughter grow up and in the small moments of each day. “I also find a lot of inspiration in the clients I take on, weaving their personal stories into the design.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLIE BAYGULOV
Many of her clients come to her through word of mouth. Others see her creations on Instagram (@susiesaltzman) where she balances educational content with showcasing designs. “Many are underwhelmed by what they are seeing in retail stores. I think that we’re inspiring them and showing them beautiful design, helping them understand what the experience looks like. It’s like a peek behind the curtain.”
The price point starts at $425, but the majority of custom rings she designs are in the $15,000 to $40,000 range. All the materials used are sourced through environmentally responsible producers. The design process usually takes two to three months.
“Many couples want secret, intentional details infused in the ring, for example a small set diamonds underneath the center stone. The secret design details make it feel special,” Saltzman says.
A big trend disrupting the market is lab grown diamonds. “I’ve launched a separate company that specializes in luxury lab grown diamonds,” she says. “It’s a real diamond with the same composition as a natural diamond, but they are offered at a fraction of the price of a natural stone.
PHOT0 COURTESY OF MORGAN LAMKIN
“My goal first and foremost is to really understand the couple that I’m working with, what their values are, what is important to them in a ring. Then I like to advise them on how to maximize their budget.”
“For me, it’s really about the connection that makes it so special for me. It’s not just designing jewelry. I’m really helping people mark a moment in their lives. The bonuses they get are hopefully a gorgeous piece of jewelry that they’ll forever love and cherish. It feels like I’m helping them tell their story. It’s a real honor to me.”
To learn more about Susie Saltzman Fine Jewelry, go to susiesaltzman.com. Her lab grown diamond specialty store is reverencejewelry.com
Craig Dershowitz, the CEO of Artists 4 Israel, is walking proof that Judaism and activism can co-exist in a meaningful way despite the current political climate. The heavily tattooed self-described “radical thinker” gave up his corporate lifestyle and has found a way to combine his humanitarian efforts with his passion for the arts, fusing them both together to advocate for peace both in the Middle East and in America. And despite its name, most of the artists involved aren’t even Jewish, a testament to Dershowitz’s ability to reach out to other communities and connect with them not just as artists or people of different faiths, but as fellow human beings.
Dershowitz has been carefully monitoring the rise of Antisemitism online as well as in daily life. Statistics show that Antisemitism hit an all-time high in 2020. And there are too many troubling signs pointing to Christian Nationalism only getting worse. But Dershowitz says he remains hopeful that the work Artists4Israel does will help not just change peoples’ minds, but their actions as well.
Jewish Life spoke with Craig Dershowitz about his work and his advocacy.
Jewish Life: You’ve had such an interesting career arc, Craig! You founded Artists4Israel, tell us where the idea came from and why you’ve made it your focus now.
Craig Dershowitz: I was surrounded by an incredible team of visionary, disruptive, professional, passionate individuals. For many years, Artists 4 Israel was led by an entirely volunteer staff. But as it continued to grow, we were forced to make a decision [regarding leadership]. I am honored that I was asked to become the C.E.O. of an organization as powerful as this. I gave up my position at Morgan Stanley and became the first full time Artists 4 Israel employee.
Serving as a CEO for a non-profit organization, which is made up of artists and humanitarian aid workers, I often need to sit down, be quiet and allow the creatives and the experts to speak. So much of Artists 4 Israel’s programming is created from the bottom-up, by the efforts of those who are out there painting the murals, healing the injured and doing the daily work. This idea that those we serve determine the nature of Artists 4 Israel’s work creates our best opportunities for success.
JL: It’s also interesting that so many of the artists you’re working with aren’t Jewish or religious. Maybe they saw the cool tattooed dude and realized Jews can be cool, too?
CD: You’re making me blush!
JL: But too many people think Jews can’t be cool, so as a fellow tattooed Jew I just want to say that’s not true.
CD: Almost every artist we work with isn’t Jewish! Artists 4 Israel believes that allowing for a non-Jewish artist to support Israelis in need and to share their perceptions of the country creates more opportunities for growth, learning, ally building and honesty. The question of how do we get them involved is difficult to answer because it has never truly been a question to us. By being arts-first and having worked with some of the most talented and influential artists in our field, we have created a name and reputation that allows us to meet artists where they are and have them reach out to us in equal measure.
JL: That’s a perfect segway to my next question, which isn’t an easy one to answer, but it speaks to “meeting people where they are”: What do you think is the most important thing for Americans to understand about the conflict between Israel and Palestine? Do you believe there will ever be a time where Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully?
CD: As the CEO of Artists 4 Israel, I am forced to think not in black and white but in color, shading, texture and nuance which leads me to recognizing many more factors in play than Israel or Palestine. I believe Americans would appreciate learning that it is not just about the Israelis and Palestinians. There are so many other forces at play with their own goals, purposes and influences who affect every moment of the relationship and that Israel and Palestine are proxies only for a number of global concerns.
But I hope so with all my heart. I believe so with less of my heart but still enough to find some comfort in the future. There are a number of intelligent and thoughtful plans out there to create an enduring peace and now that the simplistic two-state solution has been discredited, some of these other, more nuanced and culturally sensitive plans can be considered. More importantly, much of the planning for peace is focusing more and more on direct talks between the two parties involved and not outside negotiators which gives more credibility and stability to any peace process.
JL: The topic of Israel is always a contentious one for American politicians. What do they get right & what do they get wrong?
CD: American politicians seem to believe that it is better to force themselves from the top down. Every American President, since I can remember, has run full-on into Israel with their plan for peace and, it seems, a Nobel Peace Prize on their mind. It just won’t work that way. America is not Israel, the Middle East is not North America and the issues in question are not in any way similar to that with which Americans wrestle.
As the American political system continues to polarize, so too does Israel. It seems as if American politicians have turned Israel into a bit of a political football, using it to virtue signal and gain points and curry favor with certain demographics. This pandering denies the basic humanity of the people in Israel living with the decisions made by our decision-makers.
JL: Which leads us right into my next question: some people often assume that Jewish people, particularly American Jews, are militant supporters of Israel with no flexibility, which isn’t true. At the same time, Antisemitism is on the rise in America as well as globally. How do we fight the misconceptions about Jewish people that still persist?
CD: After having considered the situation for some time, Artists 4 Israel recently unveiled a series of programs aimed at disrupting antisemitism based on our successful strategies in combatting anti-Israel sentiment. The underlying principles for each program are: focusing on prevention over fighting, considering our allies and preexisting strengths and utilizing those as opposed to considering our enemies and disadvantages, moving away from “shame and blame” and historic fears, minimizing generational trauma, arts-focused activities and finding modern, public/social and large-scale ways to express ourselves. I am happy to go in depth but these strategies inform all Artists 4 Israel’s antisemitism prevention techniques.
JL: The arts bring joy & healing to people every day, a fact that’s often lost in this contentious political climate. How do you use your art to help people, especially marginalized people, who are hurting in America right now because of politics?
CD: Artists 4 Israel determined a few years ago to spread our arts-based healing programs outside of Israel and into communities around the world that could benefit from our support. We have found that art serves two major imperatives in uplifting marginalized communities: helping the individual in direct and personal ways and supporting local communities in beautification and revitalization efforts. In short, we have found that change and progress begin with small, immediately beneficial programs that are built on a foundational belief in the transcendent power of art. We recognize that we do not feed the hungry or cure diseases but communities need beautification, hope and personal and community empowerment while they wait for the larger solutions.
To learn more about Craig Dershowitz and Artists4Israel, check out Artists4Israel.org
When you think about actors, who comes to mind? Brad Pitt? Jennifer Lopez? Laverne Cox? Right away your mind goes to an A list of superstars who earn millions every time they step onto the red carpet. But what you might not know is that there are a lot of actors who work consistently, make a nice living, and are essential to the business of show. Adam Kulbersh is one of those actors. “There’s a big world in the middle,” Adam shares. “I’m a middle-class actor.”
You might not know his name, but you will definitely recognize his face. After hundreds of commercials and recurring tv roles on shows like SVU, Agents of Shield, and Better Things, Adam Kulbersh is a face you shouldn’t forget. A Jewish kid from Atlanta, Adam earned his BA in Russian Literature and his BFA in Theatre at the University of Texas before deciding to apply to be one of the first American college students to study at the famed Moscow Art Theatre in Russia. He was one of only four Americans accepted to the program. He lets me know it was tough. “In American theatre programs you always get the feedback sandwich, you know, praise, criticism, praise. They don’t do that in Moscow.” In fact, to this day when faced with a daunting task, Adam reminds himself, “I made it through the Moscow Art Theatre. I can do anything.” That and he successfully ran the New York marathon in under four hours. Those two accomplishments help him confront all of life’s challenges. And Adam Kulbersh is not a man who shies away from challenges.
As a single gay man wanting to adopt a child, Adam went through a lot to find his beloved son, Jack. “The adoption process is intense,” he recalls, “Especially when you’re going it solo.” From rigorous parenting classes and social worker visits to respectfully navigating complicated emotions from everyone involved, the ups and downs are like a roller coaster.
“Growing up in the 80s,” Adam confides, “The idea of gay marriage and gay adoption was an absurd concept.. But that all changed over a very short period.” He grew up with a big family and big Jewish holiday celebrations. “Family and family traditions have always been very important to me,” he recalls. “Watching how a big family interacts, I always knew I wanted kids. “But when I was ready to start a family, there wasn’t a spouse or an almost spouse in my life.” So, after a lot of self-searching, Adam realized “Just because this one dream isn’t working out, it doesn’t mean you should delay this other thing. Because the window can pass on both.”
Parenting his son Jack, now in kindergarten, is unquestionably his favorite role. “Adopting a child is a very conscious process.” He states. “And it makes you really think and question what parenting should be about. My job is to give wings, not weights.” While he admits that parenting solo can be tough. He insists that the worst part is not having anyone else to make decisions with. “But the best part,” he laughs, “Is not having anyone else to make decisions with.”
Adam admits he’s faced plenty of roadblocks in his life. He lost his older sister as a young boy in a tragic playground accident. He faced deep struggles as a teen desperately trying to find himself. But he’s never lost his cheery upbeat disposition. “Finding the joy in the struggle is an inherently Jewish value,” he explains, “Nothing ever comes easy for us. We’re everyone’s scapegoat. But as Jews, we’ve learned how to be happy warriors, how to find the ‘ha ha’ in every situation.”
Finding the perfect school for Jack, who is Black, was very important for Kulbersh. The public schools in his area were racially diverse, but that diversity included few Black students. When he discovered Campbell Hall, where nearly half of the students are non-white, and where there is a thriving Black student population, he knew he had found a fabulous community of diversity. Creating a society for their blended family is key for Adam. “I want Jack to see himself in the other students, the teachers, the principals. An essential goal was to make sure he is surrounded by positive role models who look like him.”
Adam counts himself incredibly lucky on both personal and professional fronts. As an actor, he smiles, “I’ve been fortunate to play 3rd Jew from the left on dozens of tv shows. I’m the guy they call when they’re looking for an average Joe.” He lovingly recounts a story about how an agent, early in his career, told him, “They’re looking for an average Joe, and Adam, there’s no one more average than you.”
When he’s not acting, Adam keeps himself creatively active as an acting coach and writer in LA. He’s sold several tv shows and feature films and is now under contract to write movies for The Hallmark Channel. “I absolutely love it,” he shares, “I get to create happy worlds where things go right. It’s a nice escape for people. I’m incredibly lucky to have so many opportunities to stay creative.”
He’s currently loving his behind-the-scenes role as dialogue coach on the popular NBC show Lopez vs Lopez, starring George and Mayan Lopez. Adam’s job is to creatively support the talent in any way they need. The popular sitcom deals with the complicated father/daughter relationship. “It’s incredibly real,” he tells me, “The show deals with real issues that affect real families,” If you follow the Lopez family on social media, you know that George and Mayan have been very public about the challenges in their relationship. Adam says he’s impressed with the Lopez family’s fearless portrayal of the truth. “The show is so great because it’s honest, and funny as hell. They find the humor in awkward situations and uncomfortable relationships. But they never deny the truth.” In a Hollywood filled with perfect posturing and ever sunny family façades, that’s a rarity. After a successful first 13 episodes, the show was picked up for a full first season. And there are high hopes for more seasons to come.
What’s next for Adam Kulbersh? Well, he’s not looking to “make it.” “What does that even mean,” he questions, “There is no destination called ‘made it.” I get to define success for myself.” Continuing to work and be creative is what Kulbersh wants. “If I never move up to 2nd Jew from the left, that’s okay. As long as I get to tell stories and entertain people – I’ve succeeded. That’s my small way of contributing to the world.”
Your brief back story: Where you were born and where do you live now, family background?
I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA, which is where I live now. I grew up in a mixed family, my mother is Chinese American and my father is Jewish American. My upbringing was very “assimilated American” and I experienced both of my cultures in what feels like very “American” ways - through food and holidays. I went to college at Portland State University, where my Jewish journey really took off and my activism for Israel and the Jewish people began. I eventually made Aliyah and lived in Israel for 6 years before returning to the US in 2021.
When and why did you become an activist for Jews and Israel?
My activism began in college after an Israel event was protested. I saw that there was a need to speak up for Israel and the Jewish people on my college campus and decided to take action. This eventually evolved into social media activism once I moved to Israel. I wanted to share my story and experience as a Chinese American Jewish woman who made Aliyah. I wanted to show the real Israel and talk about my ever-evolving Jewish identity.
What is your biggest concern for the Jewish people and Israel?
As we see, antisemitism is growing on both the right and the left, and this is very concerning. Sometimes it feels as though the Jewish people are being pushed out of all spaces, becoming homeless. We can’t let this happen. We must show the world who the Jewish people REALLY are, beyond antisemitic tropes and sterotypes they’ve been fed for thousands of years. I believe this is largely due to a lack of education. Most education about Jews is based in our oppression, like the holocaust, and doesn’t actually teach who we really are. This is hugely problematic.
What accomplishment/s or impact are you most proud of regarding your activism?
Anytime another Jewish person tells me that my content has made them feel more proud as a Jewish person, empowered them to speak up, educate another person, or even just simply be openly Jewish, I feel these are my biggest accomplishments. At the end of the day, I’m one person, and anytime I can empower another person I’m really happy.
What is your advice for young people today who are intimated or afraid to get involved or speak out against antisemitism/antizionism?
I’d say, your fear is warranted. It isn’t always easy. However, you will continue to be Jewish and it will hurt to hide more than it will to face challenges for being proud and unapologetic about who you are. Being Jewish is a beautiful thing to be celebrated and shared. Don’t be afraid to be who you are. You have every right just like every other person out there. Ease into it. Start by doing something as simple as wearing a Magen David. It can be a great conversation starter and you might be pleasantly surprised the opportunities it opens up to teaching people about who the Jewish people are.
What would you like to be your legacy?
New generations of empowered, unapologetic Jews “doing Jewish” their way and not feeling fear to be openly Jewish and Zionist.
______________________
Amy Albertson
She/Her
Social Media Consultant & Jewish Advocate and EducatorFollow me on Instagram: @theamyalbertson
Where you were born and where do you live now, family background?
I was born and raised on Long Island, New York and currently live in Orlando, FL. I have two wonderful sons, both of whom are single.
When and why did you become an activist for Jews and Israel?
I have always been an advocate for Israel but my passion was stirred during a visit to Israel in 2019. As I stood on top of Masada, I was literally overcome with emotion thinking about the history of the Jewish people and what we have endured and overcome. I felt such pride in being Jewish and such love for Israel. I wanted to do something to share my passion and pride and decided to focus on highlighting the bravery and courage of the women of the IDF
What is your biggest concern for the Jewish people and Israel?
I am deeply concerned about the rising tide of anti-Semitism around the world and the efforts to marginalize Jews and del egitimize Israel.
What accomplishment/s or impact are you most proud of regarding your activism?
I have been very gratified by the overwhelming show of support for Israel and the IDF. I’ve tried to humanize the IDF and show the soldiers as human beings who love their country and I think it’s resonated
What is your advice for young people today who are intimated or afraid to get involved or speak out against antisemitism/antizionism?
My advice is to never back down, always be loudly and proudly Jewish. If we don’t stick up for ourselves, no one else will.
What would you like to be your legacy?
My goal in advocating for Israel was to show my pride in being Jewish and my love for Israel. I wanted to show the real Israel, not the Israel portrayed by a biased media.When I started by Instagram page, I said that I would be happy if I could change what people think about Israel, I would be thrilled
Recent Comments