This ark was custom designed and created for the synagogue in Moshav Nov, in the Golan. Prior to designing this piece of synagogue furniture Kimchispent time in the community getting to know the members of the congregation, the two rabbis and the members of the synagogue design and building committee. He also toured the nearby archaeological site Um al-knatir where an ancient synagogue from the Byzantine period has been unearthed and is under restoration. In his design for the ark Kimchi strove to incorporate the threshold motif common to all ancient synagogues in the Golan region. It can be seen as the cross beam which supports the sliding doors. In the middle of the beam he has introduced an additional element, representing the iconic steep ravines of the Golan cutting their way through the landscape towards the Sea of Galilee.
As shown:
220 cm wide x 320 cm high
Cherry
Contact the artist for further information or to commission work:
[email protected]
972-535-4874
Artist’s Statement
Jeremy Kimchi – Wood Artist
Wood artist Jeremy Kimchi (b.1965) grew up in the beautiful, wooded region near Ithaca New York. In 1982 he moved to Israel, where he still lives and works.
Upon completing his BA Kimchi decided to engage full time in what had been until then a growing passion - the art of fine woodworking.
Kimchi returned to the States for a year to apprentice at the Jeffrey Greene Design Studio from 1991-92. It’s safe to say that the intense learning experience he had there transformed both his woodworking skills and his outlook as a budding artist.
After the apprenticeship Kimchi returned to Israel and founded his own studio workshop, but still maintains a warm relationship with former mentor Jeffrey Greene to this day.
Kimchi creates pieces by commission for both the private and public sectors. However, over recent years he has become more sought over as an artist in the unique niche of synagogue furnishings. While Kimchi views every project as an opportunity for growth and artistic perfection, he feels a special sense of significance when creating pieces designed to uplift the spirit.
Kimchi lives in a small community on the edge of the Judean Desert. “I still miss the luscious forests of the Northeast,” he says. “But now the rugged desert landscape that surrounds my home has merged with the scenes of my childhood as a source for my artistic inspiration.”
Kimchi’s uniquely sculpted Torah arks and other furnishings adorn dozens of synagogues both in Israel and the U.S.