The squirrel, lion, and bear recall the animal motifs frequently found in Judaica lore. The Yads of Rebecca Nightingale show her extraordinary modeling and carving skills as well as her appreciation for Jewish folk tales and tradition.

Field animals like rabbits, foxes and squirrels were often depicted in early illustrated Jewish manuscripts and Judaica. The hanging acorn in the Squirrel Yad reminds us of the tiny bells hung from alter pieces and Torah pointers in centuries past.