1953 Born in Israel

1976.1980 Studied at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design,Jerusalem

Scholarships and Prizes

Two-time winner of the Sharett Fund

Prize for Excellence in Studies, Bezalel

Government Scholarship, France

Ish-Shalom Prize winner for encouraging creative talent

Group Exhibitions

1996

Central Artists House, Moscow:  lithographs

1996

Kerem Institute, Jerusalem: mixed media

2000

“Jerrycan” Exhibit, Jerusalem House of Quality

2003

New Members Exhibit, Jerusalem Artists House

2004

Exhibition of Art in Architecture, Ein Hod

Solo Exhibition

2005

Kerem Institute, Jerusalem

2007

Jerusalem Art center of Musrara.

Permanent Exhibitions

1999

“The Forum”, Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus Campus: Two thirty meter ceramic tile installations of wall murals

2001.2002

RAD, Data Communications Ltd. Tel Aviv: Seven ceramic tile installations of wall murals, each measuring 1.80 x 3.60 meters.

Born in 1959 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Andi Arnovitz now lives and works in Jerusalem, Israel. She uses etching, digital information and various printmaking processes, as well as fabric and thread to create large-scale dimensional paper garments. These pieces reflect various tensions that exist within religion, gender studies and politics. She also makes artists books and assemblages.

Andi has participated in many international printmaking competitions. She has exhibited her work in England, The United States, Israel, Spain, Poland, Finland, France, Lithuania, Canada, and Bulgaria. She has had many one-woman shows and participated in multiple group shows. Her work is in many private collections in both the United States and in Europe. She is represented in Jerusalem by several galleries.

In the coming year her work will be featured in several museum shows in Israel. Please contact her for further information of upcoming shows.

Avner Moriah was born in Jerusalem in 1953, where he now lives and works. His childhood was infused with the history of the Jewish people; his character shaped by the hard events of the beginning of the State. Moriah addresses the Jewish experience head-on, with no illusions. He does not flinch from painting hard subjects – in addition to tackling Israel’s 1948 War of Independence and her subsequent wars, he has completed a series on the Shoah and another on the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain. Given this background, it is a natural development for Moriah to return to the original stories of his people for the stuff and inspiration for the murals in this catalogue: the Gathering at Mount Sinai -- the story of the Jewish People’s beginning and the receiving of the Torah -- and the Women’s Zodiac, chronicling the strong feminine figures of Jewish history.

Moriah attended the Bezalel Academy of Art and Architecture, where he received his BFA in 1980. The following year, he went to the United States to study contemporary figurative art at Yale University’s Graduate School of Art and Architecture. There he earned an MFA and learned an important lesson that would serve him through his adult life as a painter – only hard and incessant work would give him the skills he needed to transform his mental images to visual form on canvas. As a result of his education and perseverance, his paintings are strongly imbued with traditional drawing techniques and structure, which he applies to the demands of the light and colors of the Middle East. The result is a unique style reflected both in his paintings of the Israeli landscape and in his subject paintings.

Moriah’s works have been acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Jewish Museum of New York, the Israel Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, among others. His paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout North and South America, Israel, and Europe and are included in corporate and private collections worldwide.

Amalya Nini was born in a small village in Israel, second generation to a family of Yemenite origin who had specialized in wool and leather artistry alongside rabbinical study and practice.

She studied art in Israel and enriched her knowledge by taking courses in New York City and traveling around the world, thus widening her horizons and gaining a deep understanding of beauty and nature: the essence of art. Amalya’s love affair with Jewish art is probably the result of her Israeli upbringing in a close-knit rural Yemenite community, rich in Biblical tradition and folklore.

Yoram Raanan articulates within his artistic medium an authentic encounter - venerated concepts are expressed through flow of sonorous color, visionary spirit is realized in line and form.

His paintings reach their completion when there is a deep, intuitive response to what the artist experiences through the Torah and what he sees before him on the canvas, a vision which the viewer is invited to share.

Raanan's studio, situated high in the Judean hills, overlooks the fertile, plains extending out to the Mediterranean Sea. Surrounded by nature and environs in which king David wrote his psalms. Raanan is inspired by his learning and creates paintings and sculpture, which have brought him international acclaim.

Born in New Jersey in 1953, Yoram Raanan graduated the University of Arts in Philadelphia, PA. (BFA, 1975). He traveled throughout Europe and the near east and settled in Israel in 1977, where he has developed his unique artistic vision.

Raanan's paintings have been exhibited throughout the world in public museums and art galleries. He is the

Born in Kibbutz Beit HaEmek, in Western Galilee, Israel

Lives and works in Jerusalem

Education

1985 – 1989 -Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem, Israel 

1998 - Slade School, London University, London

1998-2002 -The Jerusalem Studio School, Israel

Professional Experience

2004 –Today - Teaching painting and drawing at the 'Jerusalem Art Centre' & in Jerusalem Community Center Ginot Ha'ir.

2000/1 - Program director of the master class at the 'Jerusalem Studio School'.

1998, 2000/1- Curator of Exhibitions at the 'Jerusalem Studio School'

Exhibitions

2009 – "All around you" Shulamit Near, Drawings &Paintings in Gallery Restaurant Al Dante Jerusalem

2009 – "Jerusalem in the eyes of generations" Group exhibition, City gallery of Jerusalem

2008-9 – "The land and It's people" Shulamit Near and Ahmad Canaan, The Mormon university Gallery, Jerusalem

2008 – "New Members" The Artists House

2008 -"The Portrait" Z.O.A House, Tel Aviv paintings from the T.V. Show

2007 - " Teacher's group exhibition" Gallery of the Center for Arts, Jerusalem

2007 - "Fantastic Vision" Venta Gallery at HaZira, Jerusalem

Shulamit Near & Yosi Galanti

2004 -"Shulamit Near & Uri Blayer -Landscapes and Portraits"

Artspace Gallery, Jerusalem

1999 – "Group exhibition of The Jerusalem Studio School"

Artist's House Jerusalem:

Collections

Shulamit's work is in many privet collections in Israel, England France, Germany and the U.S.A among them are-

Marion and Guy Naggar collection London

Joan Bakewell collection, London

Freda and Izzak Uziel collection London

Naschitz Brandes collection Tel Aviv /New York

Noemi Barooch Collection Costa Rica

Margolin collection Jerusalem

Scholarships and awards

2002 & 2003 -The International School of Art, Umbria, Italy; summer

2002 - Rabinovitz foundation Israel - artist's award for painting

1999 & 2002 - Study Scholarships at the Jerusalem Studio School.

1998, 2000 & 2001 - Maryland Institution College of Art, Baltimore, U.S.A. summers

Commissions

2008 – Portrait of Knesset member Arie Eldad from T.V. Show "The Portrait" broadcast on the first channel

2005 – Landscape - view of the Old City from the Mormon University Jerusalem, commission for a private collection

2004 - Portraits of Yuri & Tamer, commissioned by choreographer &

art critic Yaron Margolin.

2004:  Six large landscapes of Jerusalem, commissioned by King's

Gallery Jerusalem

2003- Noemi Barooch, Portrait of the Ambassador of Costa Rica

Yuval Yairi (born 1961, Tel-Aviv, Israel) is an Israeli artist, using photography and video. Exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Israel Museum, Andrea Meislin Gallery NYC, Alon Segev Gallery Tel Aviv, Qbox Gallery Athens, Zuiderkerk Amsterdam, San Diego Natural History Museum]

Yuval Yairi's series "Forevemore" has been exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and Andrea Meislin Gallery in NYC in 2005.

Yairi photographs the leper house with a digital video camera in still mode, constructing the image from hundreds (at times thousands) of frames. The pictures are taken in the course of several hours, during which the artist slowly and accurately documents every detail in the space from a single position, like the viewer's observation movement upon entering the space. He selects details which he then combines into a final unified photographic image containing a wealth of information, one that no single still photograph can contain. Thus, in fact, Yairi overcomes the temporal and spatial limitations of conventional photography.

Yitzhak Greenfield is a leading Israeli artist focusing on paintings of Jerusalem. His work is inspired by living and working in Jerusalem. Yitzhak's paintings and prints reflect the deep interest of the artist in Judaism, Kabbalah and archeology.

Yitzhak Greenfield in his Jerusalem studio

Yitzhak Greenfield was born in Brooklyn New York. He studied art in The Educational Alliance Art School in New York. He studied printmaking in Venice Italy. Yitzhak came to Israel and lived on Kibutz Gal-on and Ein Hashophet. He established his studio and gallery in Ein Kerem Jerusalem.

"Yitzhak Greenfield has become the incarnation of an art inspired by and expressing Jerusalem. This alchemy is a result of his great talent, his poetic mind, his dedication to his art and his professional achievements as a painter and a printmaker. The landscape of Israel, especially the Earthly and Heavenly Jerusalem, has always been a major source of his art. His love of the Bible, the Kabbalah and archeology has brought new elements into his unique vision" Miriam Tal: International Association of Art Critics.

Yitzhak Greenfield in his Jerusalem studio

AWARDS

1983 Received an award from The Society for Jewish Art, Jerusalem, Israel.

1956 Received The Dizengoff Award for Fine Art from the city of Tel-Aviv, Israel.

"In Yitzhak Greenfield's landscapes discovery of his environment and crystallization of his technique are intermeshed, developed in parallel... The results are closer to symbols than to simple visual realities."

Yona Fischer, Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Ofra Friedland, born in Jaffa, Israel, in 1959, is considered one of today’s more significant Israeli contemporary artists, creating in oils, murals, tapestry, ceramics and sculpture. After studies at the Ramat Gan College of Art and the Avni Institute in Tel-Aviv, Ofra served as apprentice to several of Israel’s leading artists, and was first recognized for her oil paintings on canvas which took Biblical themes for inspiration.

Among her best known works in oil are the fifteen panel “Songs of Ascent” based on the Psalms of King David; a five-panel representation of the Five Books of Moses; a mural of scenes of Jerusalem, and other series based on traditional themes such as ‘The Seven Species’, ‘The Twelve Tribes’, and ‘The Seven Days of Creation’. Some of these motifs have also been rendered as rug designs, stained glass windows, ceramic and bronze sculpture, and frescoes.

Described as a “lyricist in color”, Ofra is a master of diverse artistic media, prolific in creative endeavor, and has been commissioned for designing complete environments, such as synagogue designs which encompass a range from oil paintings, rug and tapestry designs, to stained glass windows, synagogue furniture, and building facade. Her complete environments also appear in several hotels (the Dan Pearl and the Olive Tree in Jerusalem, the Hilton Tel-Aviv, among others) and other commercial buildings in the United States and Europe.

Ofra’s artistic philosophy includes a willingness to entertain new perspectives and try to bring together wildly divergent influences. She sees the artist as a means to interpret and amalgamate a subject with material in a unique and meaningful way that people can recognize and connect with.

“Art is an effort to create, beside the real world, a more human world.”

(Andre Maurois).

Because Ofra sees her art as a medium for discovering personal truth and values, she has volunteered in projects that open the door of creative expression for many diverse groups with special needs, including young cancer patients, IDF soldiers at a rehabilitation center, and gifted children,.

Works on Permanent Display

• Bank Adanim Corporate Head Quarters; Tel-Aviv. Paintings, tapestries.

• Rav Kaduri Synagogue; Jerusalem, Israel. Stained glass windows.

• Hilton Hotel; Tel- Aviv. Paintings, complete environment.

• Peabody Place Museum; Memphis, TN. Painting.

• Bank Adanim Ltd. Jerusalem, Israel. Paintings, tapestries.

• Bank Hapoalim Ltd. Headquarters; Tel- Aviv. Paintings.

• Bank Tefachot Ltd. Executive Offices; Tel- Aviv. Paintings, ceramics.

• Baron Hirsch Synagogue; Memphis, TN. Painting.

• Belz Enterprises Corporate Headquarters; Memphis, TN. Paintings.

• Dan Pearl Hotel; Jerusalem, Israel. Paintings, ceramics, and bronze sculpture.

• Grand Lobby Historic Building; Memphis, TN. Paintings.

• Olive Tree Hotel; Jerusalem, Israel. Painting, bronze, and wood artwork.

• Park Plaza Hotel; Antwerp, Belgium. Painting, bronze sculpture, and ceramics.

• Peabody Place Tower; Memphis, TN. Paintings.

• Hasharon Banquet Hall; Kfar- Saba; Israel. Murals, ceramics.

• White Hall; Or-Yehuda; Israel. Murals, bronze reliefs, wood artwork.

Total environment designs

• Aish Kodesh Synagogue; Woodmere, NY. Murals, ceramics, paintings, bronze sculpture, stained glass windows, woodwork and stone artwork.

• HALB Academy, Woodmere, NY. Bronze sculpture, stained glass windows, woodwork, murals.

Solo Exhibitions

• American Friends of Bar-Ilan University; Miami, FL.

• Beth Shalom Conservative Center; Pittsburg, PA.

• Hebraica Jewish Center; San Paolo, Brazil.

• J. Richards Gallery; Englewood, NY.

• Jewish Community Center; Riverdale, NY.

• Jewish Museum; Memphis, TN.

• Mar A Lago Resort; (Shaarei Zedek Benefit) Palm Beach, FL

• Wizo South Florida Chapter; Miami Beach, FL.

The artist Nechama Shaish spent her childhood near Mea Shearim. In that neighborhood, the chassidim walked in the streets with gemorahs in their hands, children with curled peyos played in the yards, and the smell of cholent mixed with Shabbos zemiros came from the windows.

It was like עולם הבא!

Since her marriage, Nechama lives in an area somewhat of a distance from her childhood home. Today, Mea Shearim is a melting pot of cultures; besides the chassidim and Litvaks who come and go on its narrow streets, the neighborhood is also full of jews of sephardic descent who just as eagerly present their ancient traditions with authentic jewish flavor.

The traditions of the Jewish nation and the chassidic home, the prayers of innocent children and the beauty of family life - they all fill her life.

Nechama's entire existence and the artistic soul in her are imbued with the impressions of Yerushalayim. Since she started to paint twenty years ago, she draws experiences from the city's treasures that surround her. Her paint brush dips into her experiences and her soul sweeps across her canvas.

Furthermore, Nechama is drawn to life in the Jewish village accompanied by her oil paints, she travels searching for her roots amidst houses with sloping tiled roofs, yards fenced in with wooden posts, feather quills and inkwells, kerosene lamps, village paths and wandering ducks.

Nechama's daughters Sari & Brochi are also artists. When they come up with a creative idea, one of them rushes to express it on paper. The other family members follow suit afterwards, each one in her own unique artistic style.

Paintings of additional artists are also on exhibit. Together, they present a gallery with an especially sweet Jewish flavor.

For more information call: 02 5825072

"Avraham Borshevsky - the world famous Hebrew scribe and a leading Israeli Judaica artist, whose artworks on parchment are located in museums and private collections in 30 countries around the world" The Jerusalem Post, September 29, 2010

"Авраам Борщевский - всемирно известный иудейский художник-каллиграф и ведущий израильский мастер Иудаики, пергаменты которого хранятся в музеях и частных коллекциях 30 стран мира" The Jerusalem Post, 29 сентября 2010

Malla's parents lived in Kalisz, Poland where her father was the unofficial spokesman of the Jewish community in the 1920s. In order to be granted permission to establish another Community bank many documents had to be completed and sent to Warsaw. All the long, drawn-out official correspondence, communicated over a period of several years, was written by Malla's mother Trina Lubinsky Blumenkrantz (1890-1952), who had a lovely handwriting. She had learned Hebrew and Yiddish in the home, but was taught how to write Polish, Russian, and German in the secular school system. She also was gifted in drawing, and Malla remembers her romantic illustrations of ladies with large hats.

The bank finally was established by 1930, and the Jewish Community wanted Rabbi Blumenkrantz as its president, but he recognized the impending doom of Polish Jewry and planned to move his family to safety. The community did not want him to go, so in 1931 when he did leave, he had to do so by night, taking the train from the next town's station. He found work in Switzerland and gradually the whole family joined him there. At that time Malla was a young child. She grew up in Lucerne, where she eventually studied graphic arts at the city's Kunstgewerbeschule. There she studied calligraphy with Max von Moos, who conveyed his love of lettering to his students. Erich Muller taught and inspired her in drawing. In 1949 Malla was the first woman to be awarded a diploma from the school.

After graduating she left for Israel; before freelancing from 1950 to 1957, Malla worked for a few months for the Tel Aviv design firm, Rothschild and Lippman (the latter, coincidentally the one which produced the ample scripts for the old standard beginner's Hebrew calligraphy book by F L Toby, The Art of Hebrew Lettering). Mall then married and moved to Chicago, where, in the 1960s, she took courses in life drawing at the Chicago Art Institute. During that time she did no professional or personal artwork, except to teach her children weaving, painting, and how to make linocuts.

In 1969 the family, with three children, settled in Israel. Her first calligraphic work was the invitation for her son Raphael's bar Mitzvah in 1976. After that commissions followed, and Malla hasn't stopped writing and drawing since. Her specialty is the Bible in art and lettering. In her works on parchment she often includes the landscape of Jerusalem, portraits of family and neighbors , or the interesting faces of strangers she sees at the bus stop, whom she invites home to model. Her drawings are always from life - even flowers on Ketubot, marriage documents, are freshly picked to serve as models. Malla's first major exhibit was in 1977 in Amsterdam, followed in 1981 by an exhibition at the Rijksmuseums's Meermanno-Westreenianum (Rare Book and Manuscript Department) in the Hague; in 1982 at the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp; and in the 1984 Fordham University in Lincoln Center, New York. She has also had several exhibitions in Israel.

"My son, Raphael, after watching me for years and serving as my most severe critic became an enthusiastic calligraphy student," says Malla. Although he always showed great aesthetic sensitivity, he received no academic training in art. After serving in Israel's army, Raphael studied industrial design and fine mechanics at a Jerusalem Technical School. He worked in plastics and metalsmithing, but decided to concentrate on the making of Judaica in fine woods and sterling silver for home and synagogue. Malla designs the lettering for many of his crafted Jewish ceremonial objects.

Malla is pleased to be in the middle of three generations of a family blessed with artistic hands.

By Leila Avrin

About Me

I am originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I received a BFA in 1998 with specialization in painting and printmaking from the University of Calgary. After graduating I moved to Israel and studied Hebrew calligraphy. I currently live in Jerusalem, where I am inspired by the people and the scenery. I am primarily focused on ketubah making, which I have been doing now for about 10 years, and other judaica. I also enjoy painting landscapes and still life. I generally paint in watercolour, I have recently started to use papercut as well.

Jamie Shear, (Zalman Leib) was born in Montreal, Canada. At the age of fourteen, he went to Israel for the first time to attend a summer camp where he instantly fell in love with the land, people, language and culture. He returned to Israel to resume various programs of study within the framework of high school, Talmud seminary, and later to complete a B.Sc. in Biology at Bar-Ilan University.

In 1991, during his studies at David Shapell College of Jewish Studies, Jamie’s commitment to Torah study and passion for Hebrew lettering grew. Jamie aspired to write a Torah scroll and was determined to find a scribe willing to teach him the scribal arts. Jamie met Chaim David Sarakic who agreed to formulate an apprentice. For the years to follow, Jamie would spend much of his free time practicing the letterforms and reviewing the laws in preparation for the certification examination from the organization, Va’ad Mishmeret STaM.

In the past twenty years, since completing these requirements, Jamie has written scores of Mezuzot, Tefillin, Megillot and Ketubot. He has completed six Torah scrolls. The scrolls were written for Chabad, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Hillel organizations in Montreal, Jerusalem, Rhode Island and Hong Kong.

Jamie also adds beauty to classic texts like the Ketubah and creates honorary gift items and life cycle commemorations, illuminating them using an array of mediums and artistic techniques; he also makes his own flower pressed paper. Jamie’s main focus in art is that of micrography, the art of creating elaborate designs in calligraphy using the quill to form letters.

His artwork has appeared in galleries and adorns walls around the world. He has shipped work to: Canada, US, Israel, Russia, China, Malaysia, Spain, Turkey, England, and Germany.

For four years, Jamie has been living in Jerusalem with his family.

I was born in Holland in 1960, a country of soft light and little sunshine. At the age of 22, I studied for 4 years at the Royal Academy of Art.

None of this prepared me for the magnificent, bright, white light of Israel. Gone were the greys of my homeland. Here I was inspired to open my palette to the symphony of joyous colors you see in my paintings now.

I am home and my paintings reflect this, some with biblical characters like Sarah, Rachel; others independentof biblical referends. But always beautifull, inviting, evolving, serene yet becoming.

Often, the main figurein my paintings is gracefully enfolded within a kind of seed pod, we cannot be certainif he or she is aware of this.It does not matter. We know it!.

The world of these paintings is that of birth, rebirth, potentiasl....always potential, like the seed that can always be touched by the wind and burst open for a flower or a tree to emerge miraculously.

Welcome to my worlds of beauty.It will surround you with the serenity, simplicity,complexity ,and colors, images and designs dancing around the figure even through to the frame, which leads you into your own world of beauty, peacefulness ,and joy.

When you take it home, sit and relax with it.You will see so much more that will touch your heart and that you will enjoy".

With Love,

Miriam Mehadipur

DEBBI COOPER~ I'm a Jerusalem -based photographer specializing in photographing people in natural settings. Some of my favorite work has taken place in the non-profit world of social services: photographing in neighborhoods, projects, school settings, immigrants, family and community life.., random and spontaneous portraits . I've also photographed many families over the years for family photography and celebrations... providing me with steady opportunity to create portraits- the photography that gives me the most satisfaction and joy..

Judith Margolis is an Israel-based American artist, book designer, and writer whose work integrates text with painting, drawing, digital photography and collage (found images) to examine the tension between destiny and random chance.

Margolis studied painting, drawing and printmaking at Cooper Union (NYC) and Lone Mountain College (SF, CA), and holds a Masters of Fine Art in painting, drawing, and animation/film graphics from the University of Southern California.

Her paintings and artist’s books have been exhibited and published internationally, and have been acquired by Yale University, New York Public Library, University of Washington, UC Berkeley, University of Virginia, UCLA, Vassar College, Jaffee Center for Book Arts, The Skirball Museum, the Berman Bloch Foundation Collection and many other public and private collections.

Feminism and participation in counter culture, peace and women’s rights activism is crucial to her creative process. She is the art editor of Nashim, Journal of Jewish Woman’s Studies and Gender Issues, (U. of Indiana Press), was featured in Creating Art, Promoting Change: Works by Jewish Women Activists, an exhibition and publication from Brandeis University (2008); the Women Artists Datebook (Syracuse Cultural Workers(2003); and most recently, is a participant in Women of the Book an International Women’s Torah Midrash Project. Book projects in progress include Bearing Witness: Amulet Book Saves Life! a wearable book to be published by Katmandu Productions, a subsidiary of Bright Idea Books; and Crazy Things on Lonely Occasions [working title] an illustrated book about surviving widowhood

Ellen Miller Braun was born and educated in Chicago Illinois, U.S.A. She studied fine arts at Northeastern Illinois University. An ardent Zionist, Ellen immigrated to Israel with her husband and children in 1983. They live in Ginot Shomron, in the Biblical hills of Samaria. Ellen's traditionally observant Jewish background has guided and inspired her in the development of the Biblical themes of her artwork. What is microcalligraphy? What makes Ellen's artwork unique? Some of you may have heard of, and possibly already own, microcalligraphy art, also known as micrography. What is the difference between Ellen's work and the pieces you are familiar with? Most microcalligraphy artwork is done in shades of black. Some artists have introduced color into their works. They use watercolors to paint their design, then using black pen, write in sections of the picture - for instance - a design of Ruth collecting sheaves of wheat is painted in watercolor, with the Book of Ruth written to create her black braid. The beautiful picture is a wash of watercolors, her braid the only section of the piece with writing. Ellen's microcalligraphy designs are created entirely with words. Ellen dips her very fine tipped calligraphy pen into a spectrum of water colors and writes, patiently spending anywhere from one month to a year, creating each original piece. These colorful images are created entirely by using the chosen text. The majority of text in Ellen's artwork is from scriptures or prayers. "People often ask me how I can write so small and where I get my ideas from for each picture. The answer is very simple. It is a wonderful Blessing that I was given as a gift from HaShem. I am very thankful for such a special gift, and thankful that I was given something that I can share with others. My microcalligraphy pieces are unique in their development. Sometimes I get a design in my head and suit the text to the image. Sometimes I am inspired to write a specific text and design the picture around the meaning of the text. As you will become aware, in some pieces, the text is written numerous times using Hebrew numerology, where each letter of the Hebrew alphabet has numerical value - such as the number 18 which in Hebrew spells the word "Chai," life. The amount of times I write the text in each piece to create the picture, adds another, deeper dimension to it's special spiritual meaning. To do this, I do a "word count" of the desired text and block out the piece according to how many times I would like to write it to create the picture - then I know how small, or VERY small I will need to write! I etch the design onto the paper that will become the "original" rather than using pencil so there will be no pencil marks on the finished piece. Now I'm ready to choose my colors and start patiently following the etched lines, writing each unique piece. Each of my pictures has a full description that is given upon purchase. Included is how many times the specific text has been written in order to create the piece, with the numerical explanation." The tiny colorful writing of each piece flows together developing and creating each exquisite picture. The written text is the picture, and the picture is the written text. Each picture is brought to life with this beautiful display of vibrant color and spirituality.

Enya Keshet was born in Pardes Hanna, Israel. As a young woman she moved to Jerusalem, where she studied at the Hebrew University and at Bezalel Academy of Art. After the birth of her three children, she became increasingly interested in Judaic art. Her first experience in paper cutting was an experimental one, when she created a paper-cut illustration for a school project her daughter was working on. Her acquaintance and friendship with a traditional scribe (sofer) led her to the idea of combining the art of paper cutting with the calligraphy of Megillot (scrolls). Her artwork has evolved extensively from this beginning. In 1994 she moved back to her hometown of Pardes Hanna, where her studio is today.

A significant part of Enya's work is in the style of the Lisbon manuscript workshop, which flourished at the end of the fifteenth century, a workshop which produced the famous Lisbon Bible and many other illuminated manuscripts currently in the collections of major museums in London, Paris, and New York.

The art of this workshop was the culmination of the ornamental style that had been developing in Spain and Portugal in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and then, with the expulsion of the Jews from these lands, was abruptly stopped. Enya took on to preserve and continue their style, adding her own art into it, and interpreting it in her personal way. In keeping with this tradition, micrography, or miniature decorative writing, is used along with decorative calligraphy around the main text, sometimes creating shapes and borders. Delicate floral decoration covers areas and forms borders, with gold touches and cut-out, in typical, intricate combinations.

Enya's artwork combines paper cutting with calligraphy and color illumination enhanced by gold leaf, all done by hand on parchment. In addition, Enya has developed a series of laser-cut reproductions of her paper-cuts, done in paper and wood. Enya has exhibited her work at various shows and Judaica fairs in the United States. Her megillot, ketubahs, and other art pieces are valued by collectors.

Among her many clients are UJC (United Jewish Communities of USA), ADL (Anti Defamation League), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, KKL-JNF, the Jewish Agency, UIA, Intel Israel, Bar Ilan University, galleries in Jerusalem, Tzefat, Tel Aviv, Paris, and in several cities in the US.

Enya Keshet

5 Megged st. Pardes-Hanna, Israel 37017

Tel 972-4-627 1438 fax 972-4-623 0202

enya@i-judaica.co.il

www.i-judaica.co.il

www.womensprayers.com

www.artcreationsunlimited.com

Born in 1961 in Leningrad, Licka Brakhovsky received

degrees from the Mukhina Art Academy and an Icon Craft Master-Class

led by S.I. Golubev, Chief of the Restoration Department at theRussian Museum in St. Petersburg. She moved to Israel in 1996.

Since 1998, Brakhovsky has been the Director of her private "NICKA" gallery which plays an active role on the Israeli art scene. She also served as curator for solo and international group exhibitions and contributes art criticism and articles to art-related publications and media. In 2007, in cooperation with the Dutch Company "Christiaan de Boks Co.," Brakhovsky curated an international art exhibition project, "Russian-Israel Interaction," to present the transformation of Russian art-school painting

through interaction with Israeli realities.

As an artist, Licka works in two directions, seemingly contradictory. On the one hand, she produces abstract compositions and free collages, on the other, uses old techniques like egg tempera and encaustic. But indeed, there are no contradictions for an artist. Licka freely joins times and techniques, merging them in one endless stream of art. Despite the broad specter of genres, her works are always recognizable. One can feel the time pulse in her paintings, where symbols are concrete and details are symbolic.

Exhibitions:

1999 - group exhibition in Haifa (artist), Israel

2000-2001 - group exhibitions in Karmiel (artist), Israel

2004 - "NICKA" gallery presentation in Jerusalem (artist & curator), Israel

- "Retrospection" solo exhibition of Victor Shtivelberg, Bek Tek, Jerusalem (curator, article), Israel

2005 - "Phantasmagoria of St.Petersburg," the first exhibit of the art-project "Geography of Language," Jerusalem (artist & curator), Israel

2006 - "Odessa," the 2nd exhibition of the art-project "Geography of Language," Jerusalem (curator), Israel

- Auction in support of artists from Northern Israel, Jerusalem (artist & curator), Israel

- group exhibition at "Givatayim Theater," Tel-Aviv (artist), Israel

- group exhibition at "Bar-David Museum," kibbutz Bram (artist), Israel

2007 - "Alexander Adonin and Nataly Goncharova" exhibition at Jerusalem House of Quality (curator)

2008 - group exhibition "EXPO 2008" at "Jerusalem Theater", Israel (artist, catalog)

2009 - group exhibition at "Beit Yad Lebanim", Ashdod, Israel (curator - Yona Fisher)

The permanent exhibition is located at “NICKA” gallery, Zefat, Israel.

Collections:

Licka Brakhovsky’s artworks are held in private collections in Holland, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Russia, Israel and the USA.

Jordana Klein has been painting for twenty years. Her paintings are sold in galleries in Jerusalem and Manhattan, and throughout the world. Jordana studied painting and fine arts at The School of Visual Arts, NY; The Fashion Institute of Technology, NY; Stern College; The New School, NY; and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. She currently resides in Bet Shemesh, Israel and is painting full time, focusing on the unique buildings, scenery and flora of Israel.

Painting is in my blood. The paintbrush is my hand, hard-wired to my brain. They speak directly, without conscious interference.

The paintbrush is my conduit, taking the innocent color sitting alone on my palette and forcing it to life. To mix and socialize with others. To create a life that did not exist and could not exist without the very act of my painting it.

Why does this matter? Because color is emotion and composition is the story. My emotion and my story. My relaxation, my passion and my contribution to the world.

When I paint I create, adapt, discover and ג€“ hopefully ג€“ delight. The journey is as important as the end product. Although perhaps that is not quite true. For me it is all about the journey. The trying of new things, putting colors where they donג€™t belong yet still make sense. Creating order out of chaos, and sometimes chaos out of order.

Interpreting the world as I see it or as I would like to see it. Putting a unique Jordana spin on it.

Since I was a little girl, painting has been my therapy. A calming influence and yet uniquely energizing. An internal-external dialogue that at first was extremely private and personal. Exhibiting my art felt, well, exhibitionist. But through the sharing I grew to enjoy another element ג€“ the completion and separation between the art and me. It forever remains a part of me, but upon completion is transformed (like a full-grown child) into a standalone existence, no longer tethered to me or I to it.

As an Israeli artist living in the Old Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem, I am delighted to have an endless source of the city's subjects to paint.

It is here that I give art lessons in drawing and watercolor. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, I have been living in Israel since high school. The charm of Jerusalem and Safed (Tsfat) are the subjects of most of my contemporary work. Houses, doors, windows and alleyways are favorite themes of my Jerusalem watercolor series. When I paint, my aim is to capture the wonder of a scene on paper- just as it appeared to me when it first caught my eye. The subjects I choose range from the dramatic to the understated. Intense sunlight and luminous shadows play pivotal roles.

My painting in Israel started as a hobby while I was studying Social Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After learning with several Israeli artists, I eventually spent several years studying watercolor painting privately with Elana Mark. She introduced me to the Betty Edward's method of "drawing on the right side of the brain" which led to an immediate and dramatic improvement in my artistic abilities.

I teach drawing and watercolor painting to adults. The experience is a constant source of joy and there is a lively exchange of ideas about composition, style, color and values. The subjects the students choose vary widely including landscapes, still life, Jerusalem art, modern Israel and abstract. These art lessons inspire and challenge me to continually explore new subjects and watercolor painting techniques.

With preference for transparent pigments, I use quality watercolor art paints in tubes by Winsor & Newton Cotman, Sennelier and cold pressed paper by Canson Montval, Sennelier and Strathmore. My brushes are by Winsor & Newton and Rekab.

Originals and giclee reproductions of my artwork are for sale. My watercolor paintings are in private collections in Israel and abroad. An earlier series depicting Holyland subjects and Jewish art is available on request.

Rachel Gordon is a self-taught artist who uses photography as her primary medium. Much of her work is considered street photography. Through her lens, we see the city from the vantage point of the mundane objects that are a part of daily public life.

Over the 6 years that Gordon has lived in Jerusalem, she has accumulated thousands of images of found objects. To see one image of a single coffee cup is interesting. To see dozens of images of the range of coffee cups in different environments is to grasp the scope of variety within what is usually thought of as ordinary. Her work encourages the viewer to notice our environment in a way that few of us do.

As Gordon is taking these photographs, there is an element of performance to her work. As people walk by, they look for the subject that is so interesting to the photographer that she is kneeling down, moving around, taking shot after shot. By producing a spectacle as she takes her photos, she is inviting a secondary audience, who may never see the photographs, to pause and see the world around them and to see what the photographer sees.

In addition to her solo works, Gordon is a member of Gordon & Gordon Art, a collaborative art team. Over the last 14 years, the team has collaborated on a variety of pieces - durational, site specific, web sites and audience participatory.

Rachel Gordon is originally from Cleveland, Ohio USA. She made aliyah to Israel in 2005. When she is not out photographing coffee cups and other found objects, she works as a free-lance graphic designer and copy-editor. She holds a BA from Oberlin College and an MSSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work has been exhibited in the USA, Israel, and Russia.

Lana was born in Cape Town South Africa. She graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1985. Thereafter she continued her studies in United States at New York University where she received the "Founders Day Award" for outstanding scholarship, receiving and place on the Deans Honours roll in 1988.

Her work has been exhibited in many places around the world. Her first solo exhibition took place at the "Natalie knight gallery", Hyde Park, in 1993. Her work can be found in private and public collections worldwide. "Creating art for me is a process of challenge and revelation both technically and conceptually. The energy a new idea or image generates - Its birth pains as it enters the world and growing pains as it unfolds, is what life and art are all about

Anicca is a Contemporary Spiritual Artist

Anicca (pronounced Anitcha) Bat Adam was born in 1956 in Warsaw, Poland, to a Holocaust survivor. The following year her family settled in Israel.

After completing her degree in flute playing and electro-acoustical composition at the Music Academy of Tel Aviv University in Israel, she began to explore different media.

From 1989 to 1995, she opened the first kite store/studio in Israel and became internationally known as a kite artist.

From 1996 to 1999, she hung the aerial designs she had created in large interior spaces of public buildings and placed her sculptures in hospitals and hotels in Israel, where they still may be seen.

In April 2000, she began painting. Her works on silk, canvas or wood are mostly inspired by the different esoteric practices she has met while looking for an answer to the question “What’s the meaning of my life?” Anicca’s paintings are owned by a growing inner circle of people whose hearts resonate with hers.

Today, Anicca is much in request as a flutist. She continues researching the esoteric realm and applying what she learns to her musical and artistic Being.

Anicca has three sons.

"He draws wonderful portraits, as if he was a great painter,

worships the human and touches them with a brush of light."

Hayim Avraham,

"A WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO"

"Mikhail Levit was born in Eastern Europe in 1944. He started his way as a journalist photographer and in a very short time was recognized as a professional. Mikhail Levit was published in various editions, both in his country and abroad. He was a participant and the laureate of many exhibitions - regional, interregional and international. His photos were exhibited in Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, England and Singapore. His solo exhibitions took place in Ukraine (1984), USA - Iowa (1992, 1993), Israel - Jerusalem (1993) and in Tel-Aviv (1999). In 2002 he had a successful personal exhibition in Moscow. In 1979, Mikhail Levit has won the second prize on the international Exhibition in Poland, and in 1998 he received the FIAP prize on the international contest, which took place in Israel.

Nowadays Mikhail Levit lives in Jerusalem. He is one of the founders of the photography club "Jerusalem 36". Currently, as in the past, he finds his source of maintenance in photographing for different journals. Mikhail Levit - inventor, successfully creating his own school of photo art, in his own direction. Some unexpected means of phototechnic serve this goal, which shows not only very special understanding of composition, but also deep knowledge of photo materials.

There are a lot of topics in his creative range of expression, but he feels himself being mostly attracted to a Human Being, to the inner world. For Mikhail, person itself is the essence of art. He has never been trying to take beautiful pictures. He does not catch moments - he creates them. Being expressive and communicable, he quickly finds common ground with his models and creates his portraits on mutual trust basis. His logo - LOVE WILL SAVE THE WORLD. Love to the nature, to the human kind.

That statement is expressed in hundreds or maybe thousand photography works created by him. Absentminded attitude towards the model makes absentminded portraits. Mikhail Levit is a psychologist and lyric. His photo series "The portrait of contemporary", "Market day", and others - are not only sharp, making often unexpected and shocking observations, but also express emotions like love, suffer, joy.

But his skills are based not only on qualified usage of fine arts laws, but also on paradoxal violation of such laws. He is seldom decorative in his works, he tries to be intensive rather then extensive concerning image, character or phenomenon. He is intuitive, observant and posess quick reaction.

Beside his main serious works of art, Mikhail Levit reveals himself as a creator with a rare sense of humor, who's wandering through Jerusalem with his camera, keeping his eye from aside on all the contrasts and paradoxes that are the everyday life of Jerusalem. He draws wonderful portraits, as if he was a great painter, worships the human and touches them with a brush of light. With this love he observe how people are different one from another in their way of life, religion and their essence yet living side by side in some kind of universal merge, in a flow of Jerusalem."

Graduate - Bezalel Academy of Art

Fruma Kidron's papercuts are inspired by her deep love of her homeland Israel, its nature and plant life and a deep commitment and attachment to Jewish folklore and culture. Her work uniquely combines pomegranates, grapes, olives, Jasmine and roses.

Fruma's content is inspired by the rich base of the traditions of the Jewish people and their lifestyle over the generations, and her paper cuts bring to life many of the most important events in the Jewish life cycle. A blessing on the birth of a daughter, a special prayer for long life and the success of a newly-born son, bar and bat mitzvah greetings, the commemoration of an engagement, wedding ketuboth of different shapes, sizes and design, special mountings for landmark wedding anniversaries, Sabbath candle lighting prayers, Eshet Chayil and a multitude of other celebratory and commemorative prayers that have been embedded into her unique artistic talents and which occupy price of place in the homes of their owners in Israel and overseas.

Fruma Kidron lives her work through the quotations from Jewish prayer that characterize her paper cuts. These are drawn from the Bible, the Midrash and the writings of the Sages.

The graphic element of her texts is an integral part of her work. This is clearly seen from the way she styles her calligraphy into the specific features of each of her compositions.

Fruma's painting materials are water-based paints of unique diversity. Her work has been exhibited at the Wolfson Museum at Heichal Shlomo in Jerusalem, the Feldman Jewish Museum of Art at Bar Ilan University. The Museum of Art at Kibbutz Hazorea and the Caeserea Cultural Center.

Fruma Kidron is married and mother to four children and six grandchildren.

Rebecca Shore, originally from New York, moved to Israel in 1984 and now lives with her husband and children in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was there that Rebecca fused 3,500 years of Jewish tradition with the youthful brightly colored imagery that has become her well loved style. She specializes in Jewish children's artwork, which combines her passion for Judaism with her flair for colorful, enchanting visual design. her website also features a line of hand-touched giclees and judaica prints

0772011422

I was born in 1987 in Manchester, England. From a young age I used to paint in a variety of styles and techniques based on my inspiration from Galleries around the world. I gained a lot of my inspiration from artists such as Chagall, Theo Tobiasse and Kandinsky , whose use of colour and style spoke to me. I started to explore textiles in the year 2003, and I moved on to doing pieces that included creative embroidery, screen printing and applique in vibrant colours. In 2009, I came up with the idea of spin art , I started by using a machine to place the canvas on, which was carefully constructed by my husband. I placed the paint on the canvas board and then I spun it, to create amazing effects of movement in my work. I used different techniques such as scraping, etching, modeling and layering to come up with desired compositions and colour schemes. This was a series of works that I called 'Spin Art.' I then decided to use pieces of spin art to create a series of cubist art works. (The band, the shtetle etc..) Realizing that my love of art extends to both Fine art and Textiles, I decided in the year 2011 to integrate the two together, thus creating decoupage paintings. I build up my art work using layers, until I have an integration of material and mixed media, creating a tactile, textured piece. 'For me art has to be tangible, you have to be part of the artist's vision in order to appreciate and start to experience the paintings journey.' I create this feeling by letting the viewer touch my pieces, and that way they are using multiple senses to perceive my work. The subject matter of my work are a reflection of my feelings and fantasies about the world. I like to paint the world in a whimsical way. Each of my Pieces have a personal story behind them, and often I will pick the colours according to my mood.

Born inStanford,CA, Batnadiv HaKarmi is a painter and writer who spent her formative years in the Old City of Jerusalem, where she still resides. She has studied art at theNew YorkStudioSchool, the Slade School of Art, the International School of Painting, Drawing andSculpture,Italy, and the JerusalemStudioSchool. She also participated in the Jerusalem Cultural Exchange Initiative with the Maryland Institute College of Art and an advanced copyist program in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Batnadiv has exhibited in group shows inJerusalem, TelAviv andNew York, and has been commissioned as a muralist for both educational institutions and private homes inIsraeland abroad.

In tandem with her artistic pursuits, Batnadiv has explored the influence of the Bible on Western culture in her academic studies. She holds an MA in Comparative Literature from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where she was awarded the Rector’s Prize and the Wolf Foundation Award.

Since returning from her art studies abroad, Batnadiv has been heading the art program at Emunah veOmanut, a branch of Emunah College.

Selected Exhibitions

solo

2011 Penuel, MaTaN, Jerusalem

group

2010 Landscape Painting Exhibition, Reeves Reed Arboretum, Summit NJ. Curator: Susanna Coffee. Eva’s Café, Manhattan, NY.

Patton-Boggs group exhibit, Manhattan, NY.

Night Music group exhibit, Brooklyn, NY.

2009 NYSS Benefit. New York Studio School, Manhattan, NY. Curators: David Cohen, Karen Wilkin Isha Le’Isha Exhibition Cinemateque, Jerusalem, Israel.

Studio Tsameret opening exhibition, Tel Aviv, Israel. Curator: Lance Hunter, Bezalel School of Art.

2007 Women for Women, Cinemateque, Jerusalem.Create-A-Space Sculpture Exhibition Talpiot, Jerusalem.

2006 Lemudei Hashem Benefit Art Show Beit Shemesh, Israel.

2004 Sculpture Artist’s House, Jerusalem, Israel.

2002 Final Exhibition, Monelli Gallery, Monte Castelo de Vibio, Umbria, Italy.

Selected Commissions

2010 Murals, for the YRSRH (Yeshiva of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsh) synagogue in Washington Heights; Mural for the YRSRH elementary school.

2008 Cover Art, for English translation of S.Y. Agnon’s The Book that Was Lost, printed by the Toby Press (ISBN 978-1-59264-254-7).

Born In Jerusaelm, Israel

Education

International School Of Art , Italy

Seminars with Lennart Anderson 2001

Jerusalem Studio School Masterclass, 1998-2000

Graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago

Exhibitions

One man show

Artspace Gallery, Jerusalem - 2000

Sadie Rennart Institute, USA - 1999

Ryder University N.J, USA.- 1994

Theological Union Seminary N.YC.- 1993

Nora Gallery, Jerusalem – 1993

The White Crow Gallery –1992

Foreign Press Club, Tokyio

Group Shows

Artspace, Jerusalem - 2001

Artists House, Jerusalem - 2000

Artists Houses Master Class Show, Jerusalem - 1999

Tel-Aviv Gallery Master Class Show – 1999

Artist House Members Show, 1994

Grand Palais , Paris, Salon de Mai, 1992,1991

Salon de Marne La Vallee, France- 1991,1990

Noah Lubin was born in 1980 in Chicago USA into an artistic family. His mother had an “art salon” and thus he came into contact with many artists. He always felt he had the vocation to paint, but only in 2008 he revealed himself as an artist with an immediate and overwhelming success.

He uses different media such as acrylic, oil, and markers and mixes them, creating fresh and provocative color combinations. His style is also unique in the combination of Fauvism, Cubism and Neo-Expressionism.

"I want to see beyond what the eye sees, beyond outward shape, and draw close to the inner life of things. I want to touch how it touches the imagination and spirit more intimately than the senses. I'm curious of its secrets, and why is it hiding? And I need to share this because there is no meaning in solitude as duality is the pinnacle of creation. And G-d placed within you and I this beginning , this Genesis/Beresheis, its story, its suggestive power. I cannot abort this pregnancy within my hands. So For this I paint, locked in the corridor between exile and redemption, in pursuit of the lost intimacy of being, of exchange, of the personality behind the personality of presence. And I walk into this opaque as a blind man with a large nose and trace it's scent through the soft bristles of a buttered painters brush."“A very contemporary artist, aware of the cosmopolitan and intercultural world that surrounds him…”

“I want to gain intimacy with the world around me. And to not live as a stranger who passed through this world without learning names and the faces which transcend those names. I look, I listen, I touch, I taste, I paint. And in painting I love, like a child, simply.”

Noah Lubin about his work

“Noah Lubin has abandoned the political and social commitment for which he has no taste, but he retained an undeniable curiosity and fascination for the human being in general which he approaches with clear-sightedness and love…”

Clarisse Bouillet, Art Historian, France

“Nothing is predictable, arranged, polite. All his work, each of the canvases that he paints are a surprise, a discovery and a delight. It is a new language telling us fantastic stories, inhabited by characters surprising by their truth, fascinating by their seriousness or overflowing with their cheerfulness.”

Asher Mene, Curator

Exhibitions:

2008 London, Manchester, England. Paris, France. Jerusalem, Israel. New York, USA.

2009 London, England. Paris, France. New York, Jerusalem, Israel. USA . Bogotá, Colombia. Cape Code, South Africa.

2010 London, England. Paris, France. New York, USA. Jerusalem, Israel.

2011 London, England. Paris, Aix en Provence, France. New York, USA. Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Israel.

Private collections:

France, England, USA, Switzerland, South Africa, South America, Canada, Israel

Oshrit Raffeld was born and raised in Jerusalem. She specializes in the design and illumination of ketubot, megillot, scripture and blessings, using gouache colors on parchment and paper. She works on silver and glass as well, decorating Judaica articles such as mezuzot, and Shabbat trays. Her eye-catching spectrum of colors, enhanced by delicate forms and sketches. The texts appear in both Hebrew and English. Her traditional religious upbringing serves as background and knowledge for her creative style. Her love of Jewish values, custom and heritage inspires her art continually. Oshrit's works have been displayed at various art exhibitions and private collections throughout the USA and Europe.

..." For many, Fox has been seen as a realist, a hyper-realist, a magic-realistic. Why? Because his hand is superb, his technique is impeccable, and his paintings are accessible. But these labels are wrong all the same. What Fox produces is Fiction Painting. He imitates nothing and creates everything. He crafts the environment and its structures like a master architect. He places his characters precisely and intimately in dark corners of his stage … as deftly as a theatrical director. The viewer can even hear him whispering the dialogue into the ears of his performers. He colours mood and light as if behind the camera of an impossible cinema. Here is Babylon. Here is Bangkok. Here is the city of your dreams and there, the city of your fears. And here is Hell. All fictions, yet all alive and real and possible … despite the impossibility of everything."

Michael Satok-Wolman

Exhibitions:

1978 Gadatsy Gallery, Toronto, Canada.

1979 Gadatsy Gallery, Toronto, Canada.

1980 Shinar Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel.

1981 Art Gallery of London, London, Ontario, Canada.

1985 Michael Gilbert Gallery, Toronto, Canada.

1989 University of Judaism, Los Angeles, California.

1989 Koffler Gallery, Toronto, Canada.

1991 Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, Canada.

1991 McCord Museum, Montreal, Canada.

1992 New York Jewish Museum, New York, USA.

1993 Beit Hatfeusot Museum, Tel Aviv, Israel.

2005 Bernard Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel.

2007 Artist's House, (Beit Haomanim) Tel Aviv, Israel.

2008 Hebraica, Sao Paulo, Brazil

2009 Engel Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

Collections:

McDonald's Canada | Penholdt Holdings, Canada

Esso Canada | Art Gallery of Ontario

Museum of Civilization | Weizman Institute of Science

Pinetree Investments | Greenwin Inc.

Beth Tsedek Synagogue, Calgary

Sentry Select Capital Corp. | Novator Systems

Israeli born Meira Freifeld grew up in Tel-Aviv. Meira Freifeld studied and graduated the Academia Di-Belle-Arte in Florence from where she went to Austria to learn the Old-Masters techniques. Upon returning to Israel Meira Freifeld started a career of a children‘s book illustrator. In her art work Meira combines her vast knowledge of painting and drawing with love for the paper cut art. Meira became familiar with Jewish texts and became drawn to Jewish themes, calligraphy and paper-cut. The output of this interest includes a line of stunning paper-cut blessings in combination with hand painted silk that you can see here. Meira Freifeld‘s artistic work also includes a rich collection of Ketubot and blessings, prayers, and well known verses from the Jewish tradition, all expertly executed in highly artistic form which is both inspired and inspiring at the same time. In all of her artworks one can see how Meira frifeld is influenced by traditional Judaic art and symbols that she incorporates with her contemporary art. Meira Freifeld developed a unique style of her own by using different combinations of hand painted silk material as a high-lightening background. Some of Meira‘s finest work is also available as high quality printed laser-cuts, based on her paper-cuts collection. Meira Freifeld numbers and signs her limited edition paper cuts that are meticulously cut of acid free paper.

Liliana Kleiner is orginally from Buenos Aires Argentina, where she learned the art of painting in oils in the tradition of the old European masters.

She has lived and worked in Israel, Montreal, Mexico, and is currently based on Galiano Island on the West Coast of Canada. In addition to her career in visual arts, Liliana has done work in film, performance art, dance, and holds a doctorate in psychology, specializing in Jungian theory and dream analysis.

Since 1995 she has channeled all her creativity into visual arts coming back full circle to her first love - the art of oil painting. Liliana's paintings have been shown in numerous exhibitions throughout Canada and are in private collections in Canada, Israel, Argentina and the United States.

Her vision put to words is simple: We are the land and the land is us. Dreams, myths, spirits and nature meld seamlessly in her art. Her works are large and small, sometimes provocative and elicit an immediate response from the viewer, ... they invite the viewer to reflect and contemplate in order to work out their own interpretation of her paintings.

Visit her new "The Song of Lillith" book and watch a video on how it was created.

New Work "Kite Series" visit here

Different themes separate the work into varied series - Arbutus trees dance, twist and wind around each other in an almost human way, faces and bodies float and transform themselves, appetizing rocks and pebbles glow and bask on the canvas.

Kleiner's paintings are many-layered, transcending stereotypical borders and labels. In her sensuous and flowing style she somehow makes artistic poetry from familiar objects."

George Arbel was born in Marseilles, France in 1949. His parents immigrated to Israel and settled in the beautiful village of Ain Karem, historic birthplace of John the Baptist. George was inspired by the landscape and people of the Holy Land. When he was grown up he traveled to Europe and lived in Italy and other countries for six years. He became fluent in four languages in addition to Hebrew and Arabic.

It was in 1999 that he met Anja Häfner, who recognized his passion for photography and purchased for him a Linhoff 617 camera. George returned to Israel and started photographing the grandeur and beauty of the land.

He became a professional photographer, specializing in panoramic format pictures. George was commissioned work from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Menahem Begin Heritage Centre. Works of his were purchased by the Foreign Ministry, the Municipality of Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Foundation and other institutions and private customers. Many of his photographs of Holy sites adorn Churches worldwide. A Jewish School in Paris purchased several photographs taken by George.

One of his most powerful images, a panoramic picture of Masada, historic site of Jewish resistance to Roman rule, was presented to former U.S. President George W. Bush, on his visit to Masada. Israeli President Shimon Peres also received this panoramic night time picture, which adorns his office. Ranging from the desert south to the lush green hills of the Galilee, George's pictures are a celebration of the beauty and diversity of this land, its people and its legacy.

In the beginning

A piece of wood

Concealing an inner shape

A volume to be born

A surface to caress

Curves that sweep

Discover its secret

Decode its unique message

Little by little reveal it and bring it forth,

Capture the shape that eludes us,

And, in a neverending quest,

Bring it to fruition

So that the wood sings

In my hands, sometimes rough, sometimes gentle,

The wood flows and reveals its sensitivity

Its movement and fluidity,

Then it is illuminated

And offers us its lines, its warmth, its light.

The studio is located in a tiny village

in the heart of the Judean desert,

a source of light and Biblical inspiration.

Cathy Kerner creates three dimensional works and wall art for communities,

synagogues, and private collectors ;

(with exhibits in Paris, Israel and in the USA).

Foundation and Technique

Moshe is often asked: "How did you make the transformation from Industrial Designer to Sofer and Judaic Artist?" He answers, "It was a natural outcome of a deep internal search, resulting in dedication to Torah study and Jewish growth, fusing this together with my artistic training and expression." Moshe adds, "One must be aware of his or her G-d given talents and skills and make sure to use them to infuse goodness into the world."

Dedicating himself to revealing the beauty and meaningfulness of Judaism and the Land of Israel through his art training and techniques, Moshe creates unique works such as Ketubot (Jewish Marriage Documents), Family Trees, Illuminated Brachot (Blessings), Tefillot (Prayers) and Manuscripts of personal significance, and most recently, a special commission highlighting the Seven Species of the Land of Israel. Receiving wide appeal, his commissioned original works afford the opportunity to work together with a client to create a unique and time-treasured piece. Moshe enjoys the creative process, communicating effectively with clients both within Israel and the rest of the world. Pieces are crafted in media such as watercolor, gouache, pastel, charcoal, papercutting, calligraphy, paper and parchment. Ideas are often tempered with classical and contemporary representations of architecture and landscapes of the Holy Land. Moshe's training and practice in the Melechet Shamayim of Sofrut (Jewish ritual scribal arts) has influenced his work as well.

In addition to his original works, Moshe has collaborated with two outstanding Jerusalem-based workshops to carefully reproduce many of his pieces in the form of signed and numbered limited editions. Both the state-of-the-art Giclee printing and lasercut processes are used in the production. In addition, each piece is detailed, assembled and finished by hand.

Qualifications and Background

Moshe grew up in a vibrant Traditional Jewish home where from a very young age his parents encouraged his involvement in art. After completing the Honors Art Track in high school, he went on to study fine art at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, earning a BFA with a concentration in Industrial Design. While in art school, Moshe came to the conclusion that just as he was striving for excellence in his study of art and design, he needed to also strive for excellence in his Torah study as well.

After working as an Industrial Designer in a promising new start-up venture, Moshe left the company in order to further his Jewish studies on a full-time basis, first at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and then at Yeshivat Darche Noam/Shapell’s in Jerusalem. It was at that point that Moshe decided to become a Sofer, a ritual scribe, and continued his professional training in Jerusalem, achieving ordination as a Sofer STaM. The International Society for the Integrity of Torah Scrolls, Tefillin and Mezzuzot, otherwise know as Va'ad Mishmeret STaM of Jerusalem, awarded the certification.

Moshe has exhibited his work both in Israel and the United States. His clients include individual patrons as well as organizations. Moshe’s works are in collections in Jerusalem, London, Manchester, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Toronto, New York, Silver Spring, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee and Los Angeles. Moshe lectures about his art and Sofrut to schools and groups in North America and Israel, and has even traveled to Warsaw, Poland to teach in the Jewish community.

Moshe, his wife Marla and their children live in the welcoming community of Ramat Beit Shemesh nestled in the foothills of the Jerusalem Mountains.

Esther Touson was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She studied in the National Institute of Fine Arts, and received a degree of Professional Designer and Professor of Visual Art. She also studied in art centers of Italy and France.

In Buenos Aires made several personal exhibitions in Art Galleries, and participated in general exhibitions in the Museum of Decorative Art and in the San Martin Theatre.

She made Alia to Israel in 1978 with her family, lived in Jerusalem, Emanuel, and is currently living in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Her art developed from modern and abstract compositions influenced by the Modern art movement of the 60's and 70's, using also the technique of Batik for her creations, to a very naturalistic representation, specializing in Portraits, Judaica and Landscapes of Israel. The beauty and vibrating light of Jerusalem inspired her and lead her to represent each of its details in a very accurate and at the same time creative way, blending all her technical knowledge and expertise with the spirit and soul of Israel. Its great Sages, its people and its places full of meaning and history gave her a definite path in her art until this very day, and gives her a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment in each of her creations.

In Israel participated in collective art exhibitions in the Jerusalem Theatre, with the Mihlelet Beit Hillel in the Gerard Behar Auditorium, and in Beit Shemesh with the local artists. She made a personal exhibition in Flatbush, New York, and participated in a delegation of Israeli artists in Washington with local artists also.

Her work is known in the United States, Europe, Australia and South America and is part of private collections.

She also gave private art classes for a large period of time, and courses of Art in Kfar Chabad and in Or Chaya in Jerusalem. Also illustrated books for children for authors Nechama Kremer, Miriam Elias (Feldheim), and Hachai Publications from New York.

About the Artist:

Carol Racklin-Siegel is an award-winning textile artist and illustrator focusing on custom Judaica textiles and paintings.

Formerly a textile designer specializing in hand-painted fabrics for the interior design and fashion industries, Carol's interests turned to her Jewish heritage and identity. She expresses the spirituality of Judaism by incorporating her textile design and fabric painting techniques to Judaic and biblical themes. The result: Fine art Judaica and items for ritual use.

Israeli artist Sharon Binder was born in New York, where she was graduated from Queens College with a B.A. in art. Sharon Binder is an artist and designer specializing in the use of calligraphy and themes of the land of Israel. Living in Jerusalem Sharon Binder is a contemporary artist that feels drawn to themes derived from the Bible and Jewish tradition while the air and spirit of Jerusalem is entwined in her work. Sharon binder's illustrations include many traditional themes from various fields in Judaism; the land of milk and honey, Noah arc, the scales of Justice, prayer for the bride, and many more. All of Sharon Binder's are colorful and full of optimism like the optimistic woman she is. Sharon’s interest in Hebrew texts led to her mastery in the use of calligraphy, which she studied during her stay in Canada Sharon binder uses a very unique combination of contemporary graphics with Judaic motifs that is applied to the creation of major works for the home, institutions and synagogues. Sharon Binder is a multi talented woman and uses her expertise in such diverse media as painting, pen-and-ink, typography and fabric appliqué that she integrates in a wide range of projects.

Daniel Azoulay is a Jerusalem artist who combines traditional and modern media to create finely crafted Judaica.

Starting with an inspiration drawn from the wellsprings of Jewish tradition and symbolism, Daniel blends artistic and architectural elements of Europe, North Africa and Israel in his intricately designed paper cuts. Guided by his inner vision, he has a rare ability to integrate diverse elements in order to create Judaica that is simultaneously old and new: time-honored, yet contemporary.

Careful planning and many months of experimentation precede the creation of Daniel Azoulay’s artwork. Art and nature, as well as spiritual elements deriving from Jewish customs and folklore come together in a unique and imaginative way. Using the highest quality materials, Daniel has developed a delicate procedure in which he paints, glazes and fires his work three times. Admitting that the work process is at times long and tedious, he smiles becoming animated when describing the “cracking” of the kiln after the the final firing:”This is always a thrill: a moment that never fails to move me.”

Recently, Daniel has been devoting more interest and time into creating paper cuts–a medium deeply rooted in Jewish art–particularly ketubahs, of which he says: “I try to create a timeless artwork that will be cherished by the bride and groom and by the generations to follow.” These designs abound with symbolic and ornamental details The lace-like appearance is ultimately embellished by 24 karat gold leaf.

Born in Morocco, Daniel is a Bezalel Academy graduate and Rosenthal prize winner, who resides in the village of Tzur Hadassah with his wife and four children.

Daniel Azoulay’s art is one of innovation and synthesis. Each design is unique and each item personally signed by the artist The rich ceramic Judaica glows with warmth and celebration, reflecting tradition, history and the universality of the Jewish spirit.

b. 1957 in La Plata, Argentina) Architect & Town Planner........ Lives in Nes Ziona, Israel.......... I have been interested in photography since early childhood, when my father taught me its secrets, sharing with me the magic moments of discovery and fascination in the dark room. I have always carried with me a camera, making it my trusted friend and partner, helping me focus, see and commit to memory. Architecture & Photography both deal with light as an element that embodies volume. I feel that my passion for architecture has enhanced my ability to capture the essence of light.

Noa is a paper-cut artist whose works have been exhibited in art fairs across Israel and America.

Noa studied in Emuna College for Arts in Jerusalem.

Noa's artistic works include paper-cuts, calligraphy and graphic design.

All of which relate to Jerusalem, the holy city, the source of her inspiration.

Noa's paper-cuts are handmade and laser cuts made with much love and care, Set on dim and calm backgrounds. Some with watercolor paintings to add extra color.

The paper cuts include Hebrew inscriptions done by hand - cut calligraphic letters.

Noa's Judaicut art includes, among others, Ketubas, Home Blessing, Mizrach, Woman of valor, Chala cutting board…

And the "Seven Species" with which Israel is so blessed.

Noa's paper-cuts represent a unique, specialized technique including small, delicate designs such as twirls, leafs, and small flowers

Noa can personalize all paper-cuts by adding names, either in calligraphy or paper-cut, for all purposes including Jewish life-cycle events.

Jeffrey Hakes is a New York-born self-taught fine artist. His passion for telling stories through the medium of oil painting was birthed in his years of living with the poor in Mozambique where he taught art and lfe skills to underpriviledged youth. Much of what he paints has a mystical, spiritual demension and rises from deep reflections on the Tenach.

Jeffrey sells giclee prints and original pieces occasionally/ For more information on what he has currently available, you can reach him by writing to:

Education

1968: B.A. English literature, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

1969: M.A. Education, Boston College, Boston

1982: B.F.A. Bezalel Art Institute, Jerusalem

1979-80: Studied printmaking at Pratt Institute, New York

1988: Studied textile surface design, Philadelphia College of the Arts,Philadelphia

1994-99: Studied at Beit Midrash Elul, Jerusalem

One person exhibitions

1986: “Paper Landscapes”, Cafe Ta’amon, Jerusalem

1987: “The Discarded Object”, American Cultural Center, Jerusalem

1997: “Tractate Brachot”, Elul, Jerusalem

1999: “The Hollow of His Thigh”, The Small Room, Elul, Jerusalem

2002: “Judaica Works”, Rabinowitz Art Gallery, Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

2004: “Covering Uncovering: Textiles in the Story of Joseph”, Rabinowitz Gallery, Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale University, New Haven 2006: "The Story of Joseph: Unveiling the Text", Yeshiva University Museum, New York

Selected group exhibitions

1989: “New Members Works”, Artists’ House, Jerusalem

1992: “Fabrics of Faith”, Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC

1993-1998: “Woman of Valor”, Yeshiva University Museum, New York; Bezalel One, Jerusalem; other venues

1997: “Dialogues”: The Third International Exhibition, Manege Central Exhibition Hall, St. Petersburg

1998-2006: “Continuity and Change: 92 Years of Judaica at Bezalel”, Binyanei Ha’uma, Jerusalem; Ha’aretz Museum, Tel Aviv; Jewish Museum, Vienna, etc

1998: “Overtones” and “Spectrum: Regional and Personal Influences in Liturgical Textiles”, Convergence ’98, Atlanta, Georgia

1999: “The Scenery of Memory”, Ghetto Fighters’ Museum, Lohamei Hagetaot, Israel

2000: “Liturgical Textiles”: Convergence 2000, Cincinnati, Ohio

2001: “Gerrycan: Vessels”, House of Quality, Jerusalem

2002: Representative of Israel, “18th International Tapestry Symposium”, Graz, Austria

2006: “Civilization and Discontent: 150 Years Since the Birth of Freud”, Begin Heritage Center, Jerusalem

2007: "Body and Mind", Surface Design Association, Kansas City, Missouri

Teaching

1981-82: Teaching assistant, paper-making studio, Bezalel Art Institute, Jerusalem

1982-85: Instructor in design, Department of Photography, Hadassah Community College, Jerusalem

1992-96: Established and coordinated art department, Torah Arts High School, Jerusalem

2004: Instructor, Department of Jewish Art, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan

Grants

1992: P.E.F. Endowment Funds in support of innovative educational projects, Jerusalem

1996-99: Grant Program for Creative Arts, Beit Midrash Elul, Jerusalem

2001-2002: AWE (Artist Workshop Experiment) Workshop, Bronfman Fellowships in Israel

2002-2003: Fellowship Grant, Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, New York

2005-2006: Fellowship Grant, Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, New York

As I wander through the stalls at Agripas 88, Jerusalem – the designer shared space for artists (that used to be the mall-market) I am drawn towards the “Regeneration Studio”. Enormous wall carpets designed on netting hang on the studio walls, beside magnificent colorful and transparent room dividers. Everything conveys a feeling of happiness, airiness and surprise. This display of color is unique, and entails a long story that the name “Regeneration” suits so well. In fact, the name also suits Miri Mass, the artist who filled the corner of the designer space with colors of regeneration and happiness. Miri Mass, an embroiderer and artist During the Intifada Mass worked at the Rabin Center and managed the “Forum for National Responsibility” that formulated the Kinneret Covenant, which tried to find a way of life with mutual consent between the left and right wings, the religious, the ultra-orthodox and the secular. Meeting the left wing’s stronghold that defined the Oslo Agreement was especially disappointing and frustrating. Mass felt that everyone was living inside a bubble full of unbearable hypocrisy and ignorance”. She then joined the Rueven Mass Book Publishers, belonging to her husband’s family, and enjoyed diving into the world of Jewish content. She managed the publisher’s Regeneration Program and established the “Rueven Mass House” that specializes in Jewish literature that deals with inner experiences. About 2 years ago, Miri separated from her husband, Oren.

Born in Israel, Nira was always drawing and painting whatever inspired her, whether still life, landscape or people. She received her formal education in art at Queens College and at the Art Student's League, in New York, under renowned artists and instructors.

She also studied at Escuela Artes Plasticas Cristobal Rojas in Caracas, Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage in Rio de Janeiro, and at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

While living in London, Nira received instruction from Clarence Crawford, one of Britain's foremost portrait painters. At the same time, Nira attended the Institute at Hampstead Garden Suburb where she enhanced her portrait skills at the live model classes.

Having traveled widely, Nira has gained an intimate knowledge of local cultures and colors which have enhanced and influenced her art. Lately Nira has returned to her roots, depicting Israel's special landscapes, Jerusalem's uniqueness and Jewish portraiture.

She has exhibited her paintings in New York City, Venezuela, Brazil, London and Hong Kong. Her works enhance private collections worldwide.

Geula Twersky

Visions Of Redemption

Geula Twersky's art interweaves Jewish tradition, history and the many facets of her own life. The pain she felt as the child of a Holocaust survivor and the national euphoria she experienced as she matured after the 1967 Six Day War have strongly influenced her paintings. Her work delves into the significance of her name Geula—redemption.

Many eras and cultures enrich Geula's work and technique. Geula finds much of the inspiration for her paintings in the multicultural fabric of Jewish life, depicting Ashkenazik, Sefardik, Yemenite, Bucharin and Ethiopian Jews practicing unique traditions that have survived for millennia. Geula's art captures the beauty of the Land of Israel, and the warmth and vibrancy of Judaism in its many cultures and practices.

In the summer of 2006 Geula fulfilled her lifelong dream of making Aliyah from The United States, together with her husband and their ten children. Artistic visions of this dream, and the inspiration she draws from Neve Daniel, her home in Gush Etzion , led to her receiving Israel's highest grant award for artistically talented new immigrants.

In the Summer of 2007, Geula was chosen from among hundreds of new olim artists who made aliyah within that decade to display her works in the Knesset. The special show was part of a week-long celebration of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorbtion's 30-year anniversary.

In 2010 Geula's paintings were selected for a month long government sponsored exhibit in The Ministry of Absorbtion in Jerusalem in celebration of International Women's Day. Geula's work continues to be featured on the Absorption Ministry's official website, greeting cards, and calendars.

Geula's paintings are sold in galleries around the world, and are sought after by collectors of unique and inspirational Jewish art.

www.geulaart.com

geula@geulaart.com

972-54-2344143

Ruth Rudin was born in Haifa, Israel.The artist's study and career in art started early in her life, and she studied extensively both in Wizo in Israel, and Mass College of Art in Boston. Ruth works in many media, including watercolors, inks, fabric painting, gouache and computer graphics. Her works have ranged from graphic designs such as magazine layouts, catalogs, folders, CD covers, book covers, brochures and more, to calligraphy and illustrations. Judaic themes, Israeli landscapes and cityscapes figure prominently in her work. Ruth captures important Jewish life cycle events through her work; such as Birth Announcements, Bar/Bat Mitzvah portions and most of all illuminated Ketubot. Her designs are always vibrant and original, and are all customizable. To view more of Ruth’s Graphic Design art work please visit:

Biography and philosophy of Avi Lehrer

Background Notes on the Artist

Avi Lehrer paints mainly in oil on canvas and his themes range from landscapes to still life, nudes and portraits. He focuses on color and composition.

Avi's paintings reflect his weltanschauung that life should be full of joy. The fact that there is sadness in the world does not mean that art should be drab and sad. There is also much beauty, both natural and man-made that artists such as Avi Lehrer feel should be captured on canvas. The bright colors in most of Avi’s paintings radiates happiness.

Avi Lehrer was born in London in 1947. His parents escaped from Belgium in 1940 which was then under the occupation of the Nazis. After crossing Belgium, France, Gibraltar and Portugal, they ended up on a boat that landed in England. Many of Avi Lehrer’s relations, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins perished in the Second World War. Avi’s parents, in common with other survivors were intent on building up a family that would cherish their Jewish heritage and appreciate the Jewish homeland.

Avi’s strong connection with Jerusalem and Israel is evident by his own emigration to the city with his wife Angela in 1997. Their four children and all their grandchildren live in Israel, although as is common nowadays, some temporary absences abroad are unavoidable. Avi has two sisters, who with their families both live in Israel.

When Avi was Barmitzvah, amongst the presents he received were books on Impressionism and early Dutch artists. That kindled his interest in art and drawing, which already had a basis since Avi’s father, M.C. Lehrer was skilled in pencil sketches and portraits.

Avi studied at London University and has both a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Law. Whilst a student he was involved in radical student politics. He went to Israel in 1967 as a volunteer but returned to England to complete his studies. He was already active in Soviet Jewry campaigns having been a committee member of the Universities Committee for Soviet Jewry since 1965. He first went to Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in 1970 specifically on a Jewish mission and was there with the late Shlomo Carlebach singing and dancing in the streets outside the main Moscow Synagogue . That was months before the Soviet government decided to start letting Jewish people emigrate.

His link with Art. was as strong as his love of Israel. He has toured art galleries around the world, from Australia and Hong Kong, to Alaska, America, Brazil and Chile.

Avi’s art education started at an early age in his school in London and then took a huge long break until his Aliyah. He has studied art in Jerusalem with amongst others Eldar Farber and Ben Tritt, the latter two teaching at the prestigious art college known as The Jerusalem Studio School under the direction of Israel Hershberg.

Before emigrating to Israel, Avi practiced as a lawyer in London for 25 years. He is also a member of the Israel Bar.

In addition to art, Avi has during his thirteen years as an Israeli citizen volunteered for Melabev (a group that looks after people suffering from Alzheimers), founded the British Israel Group (an information group about Israel) and co-directed and co-produced a documentary film. The film, a documentary on the state of the Yiddish language in Israel, has been shown at Jewish Film festivals around the world as well as on television in America and Finland.

Born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn in 1954, Izzy moved to Israel in 1978. After discovering pretty soon that Chemistry was not going to be the field that he was going to, in the words of Billy Joel, "write his masterpiece" in, he switched professions to take up the art of the Sofer - or religious scribe. And he has been involved in the field of making letters ever since.

Izzy Pludwinski has been working as a professional calligrapher since 1980, starting out as a certified religious scribe (Sofer STaM) and then branching out into calligraphy and design. After professionally freelancing for six years, he expanded his studies by first studying privately for a short while with Lili Wronker and Alice and then by attending Roehampton Institute for two years under the tutelage of Ann Camp, Gaynor Goffe, Gerald Fleuss and Tom Perkins, completing their certificate in Calligraphy & Bookbinding. He has exhibited throughout Israel and has given two one-man shows in London. His work has appeared in Letter Arts Review (over a dozen of his works have been accepted to the "Annual"), The Scribe, (author of article: "The Experience of the Hebrew Scribe", summer 1989) and The Encyclopedia Judaica among other publications. He was the calligrapher of The Jerusalem Hagaddah (illustrated by Yael Hershberg) and the Moriah Hagadah (illustrated by Avner Moriah). In 2004, Izzy had the honor of being invited to Wales to work on the Hebrew for the St. John's Bible, under Donald Jackson.

Izzy has taught Hebrew Calligraphy in Jerusalem for approximately 15 years and set up the Hebrew Calligraphy course at the Spiro Institute in London. In addition he has lectured at the Emunah College symposium on the Hebrew Letter and has given Hebrew Calligraphy workshops at the Israel Museum.

After teaching many years in various adult educational institutions in Jerusalem, Izzy now teaches via a correspondence course he has established, as well as teaching privately, in addition to keeping up a heavy workload as a freelance calligrapher. His varied commissions have included work for the President's Office, inscription of the dedication page on the Bible presented to the Pope by the Israeli government on the occassion of his visit to Jerusalem, lettering for the Yakar Synagogue in Jerusalem, and wine labels for the Golan winery. He has recently been to Wales to write the Hebrew for the St. John's Bible Project, headed by Donald Jackson. In addition to his own work, Izzy works with many of the top Judaica artists doing the calligraphy for their illuminations and illustrations.

His personal work centers arounds the pure calligraphic presentation of (mainly) Jewish texts. He sees as his main calligraphic challenge, the "unsquaring" of the Hebrew script to allow for more expression. One of the results of his experimentations was the lyrical Hebrew typeface, "Shir", and he has published a limited edition book - The Song of Songs, set in the new face.

He is presently involved in a major project writing an entire chumash (Pentateuch) which is being illustrated by artist and project initiator Avner Moriah. In addition he is working on a book on Hebrew Calligraphy.

He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and two beautiful daughters.

Jonathan Kis-Lev was born in 1985 to Russian Jewish immigrant parents and spent his childhood years in a small village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. As a young boy Kis-Lev demonstrated great talent for drawing and painting, and at the age of five he began private lessons in watercolors and oils tutored by a Russian painter.

As a teenager, Kis-Lev continued his art studies at Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts. At the age of sixteen, Kis-Lev was granted a full scholarship to study visual arts at Pearson College of the Pacific in British Columbia, Canada. There he had studied painting, sculpture, etching and prints for two years under the instruction of Art Brendon.

Upon completing his studies at Pearson College, Kis-Lev returned to Israel to join the Israel Defense Force. During his military service Kis-Lev continued to develop his technique and personal style. While still in the army Kis-Lev held his first exhibition in the Tel Aviv Trade Tower throughout February 2007. In the following years Kis-Lev presented in numerous group exhibitions in Israel, including the Zavta theatre, Apart.Art Gallery, Art And Soul Gallery, Sarah's Tent Gallery, Joi Gallery and others.

Kis-Lev's technique involves painting on a canvas painted in black oil as a base layer. "It enables me to achieve a high contrast between the oil colors", he explains. Most of his paintings are painted, much like Marc Chagall, up-side-down: "thanks to this technique I achieve a naïve look, and the objects are somewhat warped, which gives the painting a unique attitude".

Kis-Lev's colorful and bright paintings are meant to bring happiness to the world. "My goal is to bring happiness, joy, excitement and love to the viewers of my art. Though kitschy, that's where I get my drive from". Kis-Lev's inspirations include Israeli artists Reuven Rubin and Nahum Gutman, as well as internationally acclaimed artists as Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse and the fauvists. As of 2010 Kis-Lev's studio is located in Jerusalem.

Education

2006-2010 Bachelor of Arts and Humanities

Open University, Ra'anana, Israel

2002-2004 International Baccalaureate Diploma

Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada.

Higher Level in Visual Arts.

1999-2002 Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts, Givatayim, Israel

Honors and Awards

2008 President Prize for Excellence, Open University, Ra'anana, Israel

2007 Dean Prize for Excellence, Open University, Ra'anana, Israel

2002-2004 Charles Bronfman Scholarship, Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada

Bibliography

2010 " 'Ancient' Gallery Exhibits Israel", Newspaper Article

Boca Raton Forum, Nov. 17th 2010, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

2010 Naharia My Love, Catalogue and Yearly Calendar 2010-2011,

The Edge Gallery Publishing, Naharia, Israel

2009 Secret Exhibition Catalogue, Esti Drori and Doron Polak,

National Bank Leumi, Israel

2009 Artist Vision, Shiran Shafir, Shorashim Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

2009 Home Catalogue, Rotem Ritov, Apart.Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

2009 Radio interview, Nahon Lehaboker, Galey Zahal, Israel

2008 Radio interview, Kol Rishonim Radio, Israel

2008 "Just Now", LaIsha Magazine, Israel

2008 "Erets-Ir", Yediot Aharonot Newspaper. Israel

Group Exhibitions

2009 B-Sides – Curator: Inbal Drue

Tel Aviv Culture Conference, Zavta, Tel Aviv, Israel

2009 Home – Curator: Rotem Ritov

Apart Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

2009 Secret Exhibition– Curators: Esti Drori and Doron Polak

National Bank Leumi, Tel Aviv, Israel

Solo Exhibitions

2011 Of Gold– Curator: Shiran Shafir

Art and Soul Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel

2010 Portraits of an Eternal Land– Curator: Judith Beiner

Griffin Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

2010 Naharia My Love – Curator: Lee Rimon

The Edge Gallery, Naharia, Israel

2009 Jonathan Kis-Lev – Curator: Shiran Shafir

Shorashim Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

2007 Beginnings: Neve Zedek and Jaffa

Trade Tower, Tel Aviv, Israel

2004 The Adventures of the Awoken Island – Curator: Art Brendon

Pearson College, BC, Canada

Selected Collections

Selected Private Collections

Shimshon Adler, Holon, Israel

Irma Blumenfeld, Tel Aviv, Israel

Reed and Jean Holmes, Jonesport, MA, USA

Jacob B. Kowarsky, Vancouver, Canada

Avishay Levin, Ganey Tikva, Israel

Andrew and Hilary Levy, London, United Kingdom

Gwen Orel, New York, NY, USA

Paul and Sara Sagiv, Kfar Saba, Israel

Rafael and Lily Seligmann, Berlin, Germany

Charles Sitkin, Seattle, WA, USA

Howard and Marilyn Weltman, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Sasha Wien, Herts, United Kingdom

Joe and Aviva Wilder, Spring Valley, NY, USA

Howard and Tova Wiser, New York, NY, USA

David Wolf, Vancouver, WA, USA

Corporate Collections

MM~Law LLC Offices, Tel Aviv, Israel

National Bank Leumi, Tel Aviv, Israel

Permanent Public Collections

Tel Aviv Municipality, Tel Aviv, Israel

Professional Affiliations

2010 Member of the Professional Visual Artists Association, Israel

2009-2010 Board Member – Esperanto League of Israel

2007-2010 Board Member - Keshet HaShalom NGO

2007-2009 Manager and Curator– Maine Friendship House

Museum and Heritage Center, Tel Aviv. Israel

2007-2009 Member of the Academy for the Theatre Prize, Israel