A window to Excellence

Taken from "Art and Judaica"

WHEN Ely Levisohn opened Judaica Heirlooms in the mid- eighties, Jerusalem was already a center for Judaica with scores of people working in Jewish art and ritual items. Many shops were selling industrialized ritual items. But, despite the growing number of artists and crafts- men working in Judaica - there was no gallery or store dealing seriously in artistically designed, hand- crafted Judaica. The artists themselves had to do their own promotion, which led to a situation where they and the collectors were virtually groping in the dark to find each other. Into this setting Ely enters.

At that time the range of items was limited mainly to Sabbath candlesticks, spice boxes, mezzuzot and Hanukkiyot. Ely encouraged silversmiths, designers and artists to work on totally new items. An example was the design of the yahrzeit candle by prominent artist zelig Segal. Other innovative items initiated by Ely Levisohn were contemporary marriage cups, Sheva Brachot cards, textile and museum quality ceramic artifacts.

In comparison with the prices of factory-made ritual items, the handmade Judaica pieces were unaffordable to most people. Contrary to advice, Levisohn acted as a bridge. Instead of ordering just one item, he would order half a dozen, thereby enabling the artist to lower his prices considerably, and encouraging more purchases.

Ely's gallery in the shopping arcade of the Inbal Hotel displays the works of some of the world's finest designers and craftsmen, such as , Zelig Segal, Dan Givon, Avi Biran, Yacov and Boaz Yemini and Menachem Berman. Ely Levisohn also gave many emerging Bezalel graduates a chance to reach the public. He has one condition - excellence. This is the immediate impression that strikes the visitor to Judaica Heirlooms. Dozens of items of Judaica ritual items, haggadas and illuminated megilla manucripts are on display. Each bears the unquestionable hallmark of master craftsmanship. Many artists who have acquired fame in their respective fields owe their careers to Ely Levisohn who introduced their in work to the community of collectors and aficionados in this country and abroad. In his quest, he has traveled extensively in Israel and abroad searching for fine Judaica. A significant aspect of Ely Levishon's work has been the promotion of Russian immigrant artists. One way of doing this was by creating illuminated manuscripts. Half a dozen outstanding immigrant artists were given employment creating these rare hagadas, megillas and ketubas.

Judaica Heirlooms has also focused on fine sculpture, displaying works by internationally known artists such as Mane Katz, Boris Schatz Reuven Rubin and others. Currently, Judaica Heirlooms is sponsoring the well known sculptor - Danny Kafri, creating biblical and Jewish motifs out of stone, silver and bronze, which are beginning to be acquired by museums and some of the finest art collections throughout the world.

In the last two years Ely has been focusing his efforts on two major projects:

A- A new collection of 80 silver and gold Judaica sculptures by the renown designer and artist, Zelig Segal. A retrospect of Zelig's Judaica functional art pieces , many of which were scetched on scrap paper and discarded for the last 40 years, now seeing the light of day for the first time.

B- The Schottenstein- Levisohn Haphtarta- a unique faccimile of the Haphtoras being read throughout the year, in an exclusive leather bound,limited edition.

Despite its huge scope, the premises of Judaica Heirlooms is rather small. Every inch is crammed-albeit tastefully-with art and Judaica. It is the sort of place where every step you take, you encounter something unique. One thing is clear – by any international yardstick Judaica Heirlooms is a serious Gallery, both in the scope and standard of exhibits, and the expertise and amiability of the staff.

Judaica Heirlooms is at the shopping Arcade of the Inbal Hotel and at 18 Shlomtzion Hamalka St. 2 minutes from the David Citadel Hotel.

For private appointments Ely can be reached on his cell phone 052 525 9613 or at the gallery 02 675 6657.