Lauren Sussler of West Hartford shows off her metal work menorah.

Religious school students at Beth El Temple in West Hartford had fun getting their hands dirty one recent afternoon, while creating different Jewish ritual and decorative art objects. Guided by four area artists, the kids worked in metal sculpture, stained glass, block prints and plaster gauze during a special artists-in-residence program, made possible by a grant from the Sussman family.

Sculptor Karen Rossi taught students to fashion fanciful metal Chanukah menorahs; Sarah Segovia guided her group in crafting stained glass Magen David sun-catchers, Christopher Delcoro showed students how to create block prints; and kids working with plaster craft artist Beth Levey constructed Elijah’s cups for Passover.

The experience was as transformational for the teachers as it was for the students. “They were totally transfixed as they created their Elijah’s cups,”

Noah Lowy of West Simsbury works hard on his stained glass Magen David.

said Beth Levey. “I was as proud of them as they were of themselves and their art.”

For Karen Rossi, “It was a glorious morning. The enthusiasm and creativity of the students was awe-inspiring! I will be smiling for weeks to come as I remember the precious moments of this morning.”