Our Story

A man in a mustard yellow sweater and glasses is arranging colorful decorated cookies on plates at a round table. There are additional plates, a green container, a bottle of glue, and toothpicks on the table. In the background, a girl with long brown hair is partially visible, and there are stacked chairs and a colorful mural on the wall.
A smiling man with glasses and a beard wearing a gray quarter-zip sweater, standing in front of a colorful, abstract art piece.

Matthew Silverman

Matthew, the primary artist and educator behind Gem Fired, has been drawn to glass, crystals, and the creative process for as long as he can remember. As a child, he spent hours digging for quartz crystals and gems, captivated by the thrill of uncovering something extraordinary formed deep within the earth. That early fascination eventually evolved into a passion for fused glass, a medium that beautifully mirrors the geological processes that first inspired him.

For more than a decade, Matthew has been creating fused glass art and sharing his love of glass and stones with individuals and groups of all ages. From birthday parties to b’nei mitzvah retreats to adult education programs, he designs hands on creative experiences that are accessible, adaptable, and meaningful. Each project can be tailored to different interests, themes, and skill levels, whether someone is discovering fused glass for the first time or creating something deeply personal.

For those drawn to religious or spiritual themes, Matthew brings an extensive background in Jewish and religious thought. He earned a Master of Theological Studies from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies, a nonprofit dedicated to providing adults with meaningful encounters with Jewish thought, history, and culture.

A woman performing stand-up comedy on stage at Give a Hoot Comedy Club, standing in front of a brick wall with the club's name, smiling and gesturing with her hands.
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Rabbi Jill Levy

Rabbi Jill Levy is the founder of Next Door Strategies, a consulting practice that partners with camps, synagogues, JCCs, schools, and other Jewish institutions to strengthen their vision and impact. With more than 15 years of senior leadership in Jewish camping and education, Jill has built innovative programs, guided communities through moments of growth and transition, and supported teams of all sizes with clarity, compassion, and creativity.

Her work spans a wide range of Jewish life—she has served with organizations such as Birthright Israel, Jewish Federations, Hillel, JCCs, Ramah, Honeymoon Israel, and the Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. Jill also serves on the leadership team of Ramah Sasson, a family retreat for those navigating grief and loss, and has worked closely with Jews of all ages and life stages.

Rabbi Levy brings strategic insight, deep Jewish knowledge, and a heartfelt commitment to helping individuals and institutions thrive.

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A small black and white dog lying on the dirt and rocks in a shallow hole.

Oreo Darth Vader

Oreo’s skills include finding shady sleeping spots and begging other crystal rockhounds for food.

Two cats, one gray with black stripes and one orange, curled up together on a floral patterned brown couch.
Orange tabby cat lying on a black brick fireplace mantel, looking toward the camera with yellow eyes, against a white wall with a light switch.

Shadow and Spark

Shadow and Spark enjoy sleeping or trying to knock crystals and glass on the floor.