I got a lovely letter from Rabbi Yael Buechner the other day asking me if I knew anyone who was interested in nail art. Yael writes,
My name is Rabbi Yael Buechler and I am the founder of MidrashManicures.com, where Torah meets nail art. I was wondering if you knew of any ministers who liked doing nail art. I would love to partner with someone on a new initiative.
Thanks for letting me know if you can think of anyone!
Hey, Yael, I hope someone gets in touch with you!
In the interest of full disclosure, PeaceBang is not a fan of nail art. I think it’s fascinating up close, when one has time to marvel over the tiny artwork, but on a moving hand it’s a distraction and can make nails look dirty or just weird, as in “Does my minister have a nail fungus or is she being creative?”
This has to be a personal call. I know that nail art is a huge trend right now. I can totally see this being a “thing” with a beloved, quirky younger clergywoman (sorry, but this is not a look for the mature religious leader) and a lot of fun on a youth pastor or minister for families. I would follow the lead on Rabbi Yael’s site here and make sure the nails are nice and short, as long nails and nail art are way too distracting and flamboyant for ministry in most settings.
This art by Rabbi Yael insane, but quite brilliant. Can you imagine people (especially children) lining up at the Passover Seder to ooh and ahhhh over their rabbi’s hands? Fun!
I got a manicure a few weeks ago and wanted to get an Easter egg blue color (OPI I Can’t Find My Czechbook) but I consulted with Lee, who has been doing my nails for ten years. I told her that I would be doing a funeral that coming Friday and asked her if she thought the nails were appropriate. Without hesitating, Lee pronounced the color “too party happy” and sent me back to the nail polish rack to pick a more subdued tone. I hate when she’s right, but she was right.
I have such a secret fondness for nail polish blogs like this one. These gals crack me up with their single-minded devotion to cute nail polish.
Too “party happy” to wear while presiding.
And I wouldn’t inflict this on a wedding, either. Your nails shouldn’t pull focus from the happy couple!
I have only had nail art done on my toes…which should be covered anyway in “mature religious leader” mode.
Okay, I am always the fan of the quirky. . . but this? Guess I am showing my age now! But, it would be cool for Vacation Bible School! (and a fun way to remember the stories of each day!)
I can’t keep polish on my hands – something to do with a technology addiction. Gel manicures destroy nails over the long term like acrylic or silk/linen wraps. So I just have my feet done. I’m fairly conservative on color and don’t do art.
I noticed some traffic coming in from your blog and I just thought I’d stop by and check it out! Thank you for reading and enjoying my blog and even more for mentioning it in your post! I’m a little giddy.
<3 Raych
On the morning of my first preaching gig at big city church on a beautiful fall day, I felt great. Had my hair and nails done up, wearing my new fancy robe for the first time. All kinds of centered in the spirit, full of grace and confident I could change the world with my love! I was greeting people out front, and saw a dear ol’friend from 3500 miles away approaching the building! Just happened to be in town and had no idea I was at that congregation! Oh the joy!
On the way in to preach my heart out, my senior colleague commented, with one raised (overgrown) eyebrow, “Painted nails? That’s a bold choice.” CRASH!
The next day a sassy older woman from church called to say, “it was great to hear your sermon…but there’s on thing I really need to tell you…” GULP, GASP?!? Oh no….
“LOVED your nails!” she affirmed.
Last bit…when I was getting my mani-pedi on the way to get married, the lovely woman working on my hands pointed to my ring finger and said “star lucky?!” I said, yes. And she painted what looked like fireworks onto my nail. Star lucky, indeed!