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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
The Bible, the source and root of the Jewish people, has undergone an artistic arrangement and become a rare creation emblazoned with natural diamonds in an extraordinary work of design.
The OrYahalom company enlisted designers and leading artists from Shenkar College for this unique project. The designers were challenged with creating an exquisite cover for the Bible that would express the principal beliefs of Judaism from a design point of view in their own personal style, using diamonds as a central motif.
A copy of the Bible can be found in nearly every Jewish home, whether religious or secular. Its stories and values are a binding thread that touches upon the birth of the Jewish nation. Nearly every Jew, regardless of age or affiliation, draws inspiration from the Bible. Its deep symbolic meaning leads many people to present it as a meaningful gift during life’s most significant moments, such as bar and bat mitzvahs, army enlistment, milestone birthdays, weddings, or as an eternal keepsake to pass down from generation to generation.
OrYahalom was established by CEO Ronen Priewer and his partner, businessman Ari Wolff. The company’s first product is the OrYahalom Diamond Bible. It brings forth a groundbreaking concept that connects the world of diamonds to the world of the Torah. These two realms, which until now were considered complete opposites, are presented here as one being in which the dimension of light forms the link between the Torah, which is the epitome of spirit, and diamonds, which are the epitome of matter.
The design and execution of the Diamond Bible, which required much research and many attempts, was overseen by business consultant Gillian Golan and Orina Ferrante, Director of Development, both Senior Professors in the Jewelry Design Department at Shenkar. They recruited three Shenkar design graduates, Noy Ben Porat, Yaron Shmerkin, and Anouk Yosefshvili, who approached the design project with a detailed concept brief. The task posed a challenge on several levels, including maximizing the light of the diamonds, incorporating the diamonds into the Bible’s cover through an original method, and creating new artistic techniques.
The Bible covers were inspired by the stories and central motifs from the world of the Torah, including the story of Creation, the Merkava (Divine Chariot), the Splitting of the Red Sea, From Darkness to Light, the Twelve Tribes, and Infinity. They were created using natural diamonds and high-quality light radiance. The Koren Edition Bibles were bound by Shevach Black, a renowned pioneer in the world of high-end Judaica whose work has been gifted to world leaders and US presidents.
Ronen Priewer, the founder of OrYahalom, shared: “We could not think of a more groundbreaking way to connect these two extremes of consciousness – the world of spirit and the world of matter. We understood that a special approach was needed, one that was creative and out-of-the-box, in order to arrive at a unique result, both in terms of design and concept. That is what led us to this particular team of artists,” added Priewer.
Gillian Golan, Professor of Commercial Design in the Jewelry Design Department at Shenkar explained, “The challenge was unusual and complex. I fell in love with the idea [of the Diamond Bible] because of its message and challenge. The intense light of the diamond, which is the supreme natural substance, its spiritual connection to the Torah, and creating a product that conveys this message.”
She continues, “The designers used the Bible as a springboard, along with the concept of light. Throughout the process, we had to blend total creative freedom according to the designers’ artistic vision, with the story of the Bible, while preserving the manufacturing process and maintaining the level of handwork required for something so complex.
“We set the diamonds within the work of a silversmith,” explained Orina Ferrante, Director of Development and Professor at Shenkar. “The challenge in this project was significant, primarily because this discipline mainly deals with gold. The material is softer, polishing and finishing require greater attention to detail. Throughout the long process, we overcame a great many obstacles and created a wonderful jewelry design that emphasizes craftsmanship and combines several elements,” added Ferrante.
International Judaica artist Shevach Black shared, “I’ve been developing techniques and artistic leather bindings for holy books for over thirty years. I’m amazed by this product. It required me to reach very unique levels of precision with regard to the structure, binding, and embossing style that combined different levels of depth and presence. I’m delighted that another new artistic creation has been added to the world of Judaica.
OrYahalom’s Genesis Collection includes six different Bibles. They can be purchased in fine Judaica stores throughout Israel, including the Hilton Tel Aviv, the Mamilla Hotel, the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel, the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, and the Philosophy store in Tel Aviv’s Kikar HaMedina.
Prices range from $2,800 - $6,000, based on the number of diamonds on the Bible’s cover, the intricacy of the inlay, and the artistic design.
Learn more at oryahalom.com
Photos Silvia Golan
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Six unique statues standing for six leading figures in Persian heritage and culture were unveiled at HIT - Holon Institute of Technology, where they are displayed.
From now on, the Israeli audience will be able to be exposed to the characters of Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam, Jalal al-Din Rumi, Ibn Sina, Hafez and Cyrus the Great
Six statues standing for figures of leading personalities in the Persian heritage in the worlds of poetry, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics and medicine were unveiled.
in a unique ceremony held recently at HIT- Holon Institute of Technology.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the donors: Mr. Manochehr and Mrs. Mahnaz Nazarian, and Mr. Amir and Mrs. Parvin Esmailzade, who came especially to the ceremony from the USA, Miki Zohar - Minister of Culture, Mrs. Gila Gamaliel Minister of Intelligence, Pini Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees - HIT, Prof. Eduard Yaakovov - President of HIT, Shmuel Goldberg, CEO of HIT, Mrs. Sivan Shahab - Chairman of the association 'Iranian Cultural Center’ and many public figures.
For Sivan Shahab, the chairman of the association 'Iranian Cultural Center’, which works to promote the magnificent Persian culture and heritage in Israel, it was important to place these statues in the framework of an important academic institution that is connected in its values to the worlds represented by the various figures, including: Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi, the Persian national poet, Omar Khayyam, a Persian philosopher, mathematician and poet, Jalal al-Din Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet, Ibn Sina, a Persian physician, philosopher and scientist, Hafez a 14th century Persian poet and Cyrus the Great.
Sivan Shahab: “our association, the ‘Iranian Cultural Center’ sees the accessibility of statues of figures of key figures in the glorious Persian heritage to the general public in Israel as an important step in contributing to creating awareness around Persia as a powerhouse of culture and knowledge on various levels, a fact that may have been forgotten in recent years. Hafez, Ibn Sina, Omar Khayyam and their friends are synonymous with poetry, medicine, science and philosophy and I am grateful to HIT for providing wonderful and suitable accommodation for these characters."
Prof. Eduard Yakubov - President of HIT: "As an academic institution, we believe that the promotion of science and technology is the engine for the establishment and strength of the country, and for the improvement of the quality of life of its citizens. A major part of HIT's activity is the promotion of the professions of technology, engineering and the exact sciences. The choice to place the statues of giants of Spirit.
and science that built the pillars of modern science is only natural, and it conveys this important message to the students. The institute boasts six Protome statues, which present and describe some of the most prominent figures brought to us by Persian culture. One of the statues is of the famous Persian king Cyrus who ruled the Persian Empire in 560 -530 BC and was the first in recorded history to provide a declaration of human rights, aka the Declaration of Cyrus, which gave the exiled Jews the opportunity to return and build their home in the Land of Israel, and establish the Second Temple there. HIT is proud to give space, both on the spiritual and physical level, to Persian culture It forms a mathematical and scientific basis for many of the studies and projects that are carried out to this day in collaboration with the students."
Photos Silvia Golan
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The 50th Anniversary of the Yom Kippur War: Ministry of Defense and KKL-JNF to Revamp Dozens of Heritage sites in the Golan Heights, Commemorating Yom Kippur War Victims
Sites to be revamped include: Tel Saki, Emek HaBacha, Tel Faher, and others
Families, Commemoration, and Heritage Division at the Ministry of Defense, in partnership with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and in collaboration with the Golan Regional Council, is launching a large-scale project to renovate and revamp dozens of monuments commemorating the fallen soldiers of Yom Kippur War across the Golan Heights. These memorial sites, erected after the war to tell the story of the battles and the fallen soldiers, will undergo significant improvement; the project aims to complete works by October, when Israel is to mark the 50th anniversary of a war that claimed the lives of 2,689 fallen soldiers.
Dozens of heritage sites, scattered across the Golan Heights, have become focal points for Israelis visiting the area and participating in battlefield heritage tours. This unique project, initiated by the Ministry of Defense in partnership with KKL-JNF and the Golan Regional Council, is meant to preserve these sites for decades to come. Some of the sites to undergo significant improvement: Tel Saki, Emeke HaBacha, Nati Force, 7th Division (Khativa 7) Memorial, 188-Barak, The Nagmash (armored personnel carrier), Tel Fakher, and others.
Ministry of Defense Deputy Director and Head of Families, Commemoration, and Heritage Division, Arye Mualem: "The Yom Kippur War exacted a high price on the people of Israel. The heritage sites on the Golan Heights commemorating that horrific war have become important focal points for bereaved families, for the general public, and for tourists visiting from all over the world. As the Ministry of Defense prepares for the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, we are launching a large-scale project in collaboration with KKL-JNF and with the Golan Regional Council which aims to honor the memory of those fallen during the Yom Kippur War.
KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski: "The fallen soldiers of the IDF have made the ultimate sacrifice - their lives - for the State of Israel and its people. As a society, we must repay them and their families for this sacrifice. The JNF works tirelessly to honor and commemorate the fallen IDF soldiers. We are proud to take part in this important initiative to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War, together with the Ministry of Defense. This is one of our top missions as a nation, to know and cherish our heritage, our wars, and most importantly - the story of the people who have made our life here possible."
Photo Credit Spokesperson and Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Defense
Video link: https://we.tl/t-5W7R9n2jCZ
Video credit: Spokesperson's Office and Public Relations, Ministry of Defense
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
In honor of Israel's 75th Independence Day, KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited the entire diplomatic corps in Israel to plant 75 trees, a symbol of growth, development, and the deep connection with the land of Israel, at a special ceremony held today (Wednesday) at a KKL-JNF Forest, near Yad Vashem Museum in Jerusalem.
75 ambassadors and diplomats from countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, India, Japan, and Bahrain, among others, attended this exciting event hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen and KKL-JNF Chairwoman Yifat Ovadia-Luski, During the ceremony, before the ambassadors planted the trees, a special tree-planting prayer was read by the head of the diplomatic corps, H.E. Martin Mwanambale, Zambian Ambassador to Israel
The tree planting, initiated jointly by KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is meant to emphasize the deep connection and collaboration between the State of Israel and the diplomatic corps representing the various countries. There is no better way to connect people to the land of Israel than planting a tree in the soil of the holy land. the planted trees are not only symbolic, but will grow to become mature trees and help preserve and develop Israel, creating a lush sustainable environment in the area.
Eli Cohen, Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Planting 75 trees together with the ambassadors to Israel symbolizes the Jewish people's deep connection with the Land of Israel, as well as the State of Israel's strength and prosperity, on the 75th anniversary of its independence. I would like to express my gratitude to the ambassadors who took part in this project, giving expression to the friendship and international esteem Israel has gained around the world."
Yifat Ovadia-Luski, KKL-JNF Chairwoman: "In Leviticus, the Bible says: "... Come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food...". The best way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel is by planting trees that symbolize development, life, growth, and the abundance of the Israeli nature, right here, near the Yad Vashem Museum. Seeing ambassadors from different countries, who represent the deep bond between Israel and its friends around the world, planting trees in the land of Israel is very exciting. This symbolizes the warm relationship Israel has with its friends - one that grows closer as the years go by. I am proud to lead an organization which actively combats the climate crisis, in collaboration with international organizations and a host of countries which, together, are creating a better world. KKL-JNF protects nature all year round and works to develop forests for the benefit of the Israeli public. I welcome the ambassadors who honor us with their presence today, planting a tree in honor of the State of Israel."
H.E Martin Mwanambale, Head of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Zambia to Israel:" I feel honored and privileged to take part in this tree planting event, together with my fellow Ambassadors. It's a very symbolic act, as it expresses our collective good wishes for the future of Israel and its people. It's significant that this event is taking place during Israel's Seventy Fifth Independence Anniversary".
Photo from right to left:
Israel Goldstein chairman of the Kekel workers' union.
Yitzhak Vaknin Co-Chairman KKL JNF
Eli Cohen Minister of foreign affairs
Ms. Ifat Ovadia-Luski Chairwoman:
H.E Martin Mwanambale, Head of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Zambia to Israel:"
Mati Cohen, project manager of 75 years, minister of foreign affairs
Photo Credit: Yossi Zamir, KKL-JNF
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan & Stella Szpira
On April 16, a special project to connect Vietnamese and Israeli cultures, the Viet-Taam restaurant garden, was opened. The restaurant offers Vietnamese Kosher Lemehadrin cuisine in a Vietnamese garden in the heart of Netanya - miniature Vietnam! The Embassy of Vietnam in Israel in coordination with the Viet -Taam restaurant wants to raise another sign in the multicultural road of Netanya that welcomes all cultures.
Viet-taam makes all efforts to provide impeccable service and a delicious, Vietnamese culinary experience that is also Kosher Lemehadrin. Viet-taam is not only a restaurant but also a cultural place for a wide spectrum of ages and interests, a place to relax after a day of work, a place to hear music and promote culture, tourism, also brings each other together and ties friendships.
Viet Taam offers a truly authentic experience that keeps clients coming back. A talented team works around the clock with passion to offer a mix of fresh flavors in a delectable atmosphere and an excellent service. The guests at the opening event visited the Vietnamese Restaurant, run by owners Mrs. Naomi Fettmann and Rabbi Jean Pierre Fettmann, and tasted the magical and delicious flavors of the far-east.
At the event, the Ambassador’s wife Mrs Trang Pham taught the guests how to prepare Vietnamese delicacies. Ambassador Ly Duc Trung announced that he plans to hold cultural events in the garden, including Vietnamese-style cooking classes, Vietnamese language courses, lectures on tourist sites, and more.
The project was opened in the complex of the Vietnamese restaurant "Viet-Taam" on Tel Chai 1 pedestrian street (corner of Herzl Street) in Netanya. The restaurant is strictly kosher under the supervision of Rabbi Mahfoud. The great demand forced the owner of the restaurant, Asher Patman, to expand it. Therefore, he rented the yard in front of the restaurant, decorated and designed it with Vietnamese paintings and decorations such as round straw hats, colorful paper lanterns, paper umbrellas and the like. Tables and chairs will be placed in this area for the diners, and there will also be a permanent stand of the Embassy of Vietnam with promotional materials and tourist brochures that will be distributed free of charge to those interested.
The refreshments on the opening night last night were based on delicacies from Vietnamese cuisine. The ambassador's wife demonstrated how to make a Vietnamese crepe from rice flour, and then offered the guests who surrounded her a taste of the delicacy she had prepared. It was a sort of first lesson within the cooking courses that will be held here. The ambassador pointed out that Vietnamese fast food is the fastest in the world, but it is usually available only at food stalls on the streets. According to him, a Vietnamese meal in a restaurant takes longer than ours, because the Vietnamese usually talk to each other and to the owner of the restaurant.
Among the distinguished guests were: Netanya Mayor Miriam Fierberg, ambassadors of Colombia and the Dominican Republic and representatives of the embassies of the Philippines, India, Japan and Sri Lanka, the Netanya Municipality, Efraim Bulmash, Deputy Mayor in Charge of Tourism & Foreign Relations and Olga Lurie, General Manager of The Netanya Association for Tourism, and many Israelis who have working relations with Vietnam. Ambassador Trung announced that he also welcomes other embassies to use this place for their cultural events.
Address : Tel Hai 1, Natania
Photos Silvia Golan
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