Memorial Calendar, Shiviti, and Mizrah

As attested by its Hebrew inscriptions, this papercut serves a number of functions-the inscriptions above indicate that the piece is a shiviti, a composition intended to inspire worshippers to adopt a proper attitude toward prayer. Usually hung on a synagogue wall, the shiviti derives its name from the first word of the Hebrew verse of Psalms 16:8: "I have set the word always before me." The base of the decoration features the word "Mizrah," Hebrew for "east" indicating that the paper-cut was also meant to be used as decoration for the eastern wall of a home or synagogue, to mark the direction of prayer. The Mizrah was also used as a memorial calendar as it features inscriptions at bottom in memory of Jacob, son of Abraham Halevi Epstein; Hinde, daughter of Pinhas David; Nathan, son of Rabbi Isaac Moses Parness; Zipporah Zlatta, daughter of Zev. The animals, stars of David, decalogue and menorah found on this papercut, a popular art form, are standard decorations for East European Jewish folk art.