Leora is the owner of JClay. Rumor has it that she was just a teen when she got started

Painting pottery in JClay’s spacious studio borders on the magical. I take in the relaxed atmosphere, and observe friends, couples, and small groups sitting at tables, patiently crafting their masterpieces. I admire the huge selection of pottery pieces and colored paints. It’s hard to choose — do I go for a simple mug, elaborate tzedakah box, small bowl, adorable piggy bank, or massive menorah? And which color palette? The choices are endless. I find myself wanting to paint them all. But it’s time to turn to the reason for our interview: Leora.

Leora is a vivacious young woman who is owner of JClay. Rumor has it that she was just a teen when she got started, and I’m ready to hear all about it!

Hi, Leora! Can you tell us how JClay got started?

The story really starts when I was 16 years old. It was summer vacation and I didn’t have any plans for the summer. My mother offered to spend some time together doing something fun, and she took me to a pottery painting place in Geula. We had a great time and I really enjoyed myself. When we finished, my mother approached the woman working in the store (I was too shy!) and asked if they needed any help during the summer. They did, and I got my first job! I started working, and got my training as we went along. My first job was to pour the paint for customers and explain how to paint their pieces. Within a short time, I’d graduated to applying the glaze onto the painted pieces before putting them into the kiln, and soon after that, I found myself helping run the computer system, checking people out, and even loading the kiln and setting it. It was entirely on-the-job training, but I was a fast learner and I loved it.

Then I had to go back to school to start 12th grade. Even though my high school discouraged employment, I got special permission to continue at my job when possible, like Fridays and some afternoons. I really enjoyed working at the store. It was fun, and I was passionate about the creative, enjoyable bonding activity we offered our customers. I worked hard to make it the best experience I could offer them. As the months went by, I started getting more and more involved in running the studio and I grew closer with the owner, Shifra. I was excited about introducing new projects, bringing in different types of things to paint, and upgrading the experience for our customers. We even discussed moving the studio to a larger, more spacious setting. My senior year flew by.

The following year I went to a seminary called Chedvas, where the shanah alef program is for girls who, like me, are American-Israelis living in Eretz Yisrael. In Chedvas, we had classes until 1:00 p.m., which was followed by a six-hour break for girls to go to college in Israel. I was able to work most afternoons, and I started taking on more responsibilities. Of all the workers, I was the most available, and I started running events outside the studio as well — we’d bring the supplies and then take the painted pottery back to the store to fire in the kiln. Someone from the group would pick them up when they were ready. I loved these events. (It helps that I like to drive!)

My seminary year was 2020. In March, coronavirus hit, and suddenly, the store was closed. I continued seminary via Zoom, but the studio remained shut until after I graduated and things started opening up in the early summer.