Chabad-Lubavitch of Upper Montgomery County in Gaithersburg, Md., dedicated a panel of 12 original mosaics depicting the biblical Tribes of Israel produced by noted Chasidic artist Michoel Muchnik.

Commissioned by the community center and synagogue in 2004 to produce the series, Muchnik crafted two or three a year, choosing to focus on a defining characteristic of each tribe, such as a crown to show the royal line emanating from the Tribe of Yehuda.

“It is truly something magnificent to behold, and energizes the entire shul,” said Rabbi Sholom Raichik, director of the Chabad House. “The 3-D quality of the mosaics bring the images to life.”


Chasidic artist Michoel Muchnik speaks about the meaning of his artwork at the dedication of a series of 12 mosaics he produced for Chabad-Lubavitch of Upper Montgomery County in Gaithersburg, Md.


Other pieces of Muchnik’s art were on display at the dedication ceremony this month.


Rabbi Sholom Raichik, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Upper Montgomery County, explains the meaning of the mosaics, which focus on particular aspects of each of the Tribes of Israel. A breastplate signifying the line of priests represents the Tribe of Levi, while a crown shows the Tribe of Yehuda.


Families who sponsored the artwork received miniature copies of some of the mosaics.


A supporter of Chabad-Lubavitch of Upper Montgomery County stands with the center’s co-directors, Rabbi Sholom and Chana Raichik.