Growing up in a vibrant traditional Jewish home, from a very young age Moshe’s parents encouraged his involvement in art. Toward the end of high school, Moshe began a deep internal search to find his place in Judaism. Unbeknown to him at the time, it was to become one of the biggest challenges of his life. Once enrolled in the University of Michigan School of Art, the more time he was required to spend in the studio on different projects, the more his Jewish soul thirsted for spiritual nourishment.
His ever-increasing quest would take him on an intense journey from the drawing tables and prototyping workshops of an Industrial Designer through the engaging study halls of a Yeshiva student, both in the United States and then across the ocean in Jerusalem. As his immersion in Torah study increased, the more questions arose as to how best make use of his artistic self within the guidelines of Jewish observance. Fortunately, at the same time, he encountered Rabbinic mentors – from across the spectrum – who impressed upon him that his artistic abilities were Divine gifts that were entrusted to him, and that he had a responsibility to use them to the maximum in his service of The A-lmighty. They were to be channeled and used in a healthy way; to reveal G-d’s presence in the world and thus benefit others, and never stifled, Heaven forfend.
Through dedication to Torah study and Jewish growth in the Holy City, all along keeping with the message of his mentors, he was able to fuse together the need for his soul to express the beauty and depth of Judaism and the Land of Israel, together with his art being the mode and vehicle for that expression.
Moshe creates unique landscape and architectural works portraying holy sites in the Land of Israel, creative explorations of Jewish concepts, objects and ideas, illuminated Ketubot (Jewish Marriage Documents), Brachot (Blessings), Tefillot (Prayers) and manuscripts of personal significance. In addition, 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 throughout the world.
Works are created in media such as oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache, pastel, charcoal, papercutting, calligraphy, and are based on canvas, paper and parchment. Ideas are often tempered with classical and contemporary themes together with vibrant use of color. 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. Each piece is then detailed, assembled and finished by Moshe in the studio.
Qualifications and Background
Upon completion of the Honors Art Track in high school, Moshe went on to study fine art at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, earning a BFA with a concentration in Industrial Design. 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 Israel, France, United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Turkey, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, China, Uruguay, Canada and throughout the United States, all to a very diverse audience. 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.