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Our Vision - Creating a Stage

The Jerusalem Biennale is dedicated to exploring the places in which Contemporary Art and the Jewish World of Content meet. It is a stage for professional artists, who create today and refer in their work to Jewish thought, spirit, tradition or experience, to exhibit their work in Jerusalem.

Mission

The central mission of the Jerusalem Biennale is to facilitate the manifestation of various creative forces in Jerusalem, within the framework of Contemporary Jewish Art. The Biennale strives to exhibit the most updated, challenging, creative and varied selection of exhibitions and events under this framework.

The Biennale explores the idea of expanding the concept of Jewish Art beyond the field of Judaica (though it is certainly possible that works of Judaica will be incorporated in the exhibitions) to mediums such as photography, video art, installation and performance. The Biennale works in a bottom-up approach - we do not attempt to define Contemporary Jewish Art, but rather to discover and stimulate a multitude of creative responses.

Biennale2017 Having received proposals from over 90 curators and groups, 2017 experienced exponential growth. The Jerusalem Biennale showcased approximately 200 artists from Israel, Europe, the U.S, Russia. and even India. Each exhibition shined its own light on the “Watershed” theme through Contemporary Jewish Art. For Jerusalem, this is a watershed moment.

Biennale2015 Expanded not only in quantity of exhibitions and participating artists, but it also presented a broader range of perspectives: The numbers of international artists grew significantly. Moreover, our open platform encouraged the participation of non-Jewish artists interested the Jewish world. These artists and curators shared their own points of view and became part of the discourse the Jerusalem Biennale aims to promote.

Biennale2013 The first ever Jerusalem Biennale, hosted works from more than 60 artists from diverse backgrounds: Religious and secular, established and emerging, Sephardic and Ashkenazi, and from Israel and abroad. All participants conveyed distinct points of view of Contemporary Jewish Art.

“The Jerusalem Biennale does not seek to answer the question of whether there is such a thing as contemporary Jewish art or what constitutes contemporary Jewish art; it endeavors to create a space where the discussion can take place and develop.”

— Ram Ozeri, Director and Founder of Jerusalem Biennale

Advisory Committee

Featured

Emily Bilski

Writer, Researcher and Curator

Bilski is an expert of Nineteenth and Twentieth-century art and cultural history; contemporary art; art and Jewish culture. Bilski has published on modernism and on the interface between art, cultural history and Jewish experience, and on Contemporary Art. She has served as curator and consultant to museums in the United States, Europe and Israel. A graduate of Harvard University, she is the winner of two national Jewish Book Awards. She is currently editing the volume of Martin Buber's writings on art for the complete edition of his work

Sharon Weiser-Ferguson

Curator of Jewish Art and Life, The Israel Museum Jerusalem

Weiser-Ferguson curated many shows and published a few books and articles, among them: "Divine Image: depicting God in Jewish and Israeli Art" (2006), "Forging Ahead: Wolpert and Gumbel, Israeli Silversmiths for the Modern Age" (2012), "Pointing the Way: Women Design Ceremonial Objects", (2013).

Judy Cardozo

Independent Curator and writer

Cardozo, who grew up in New York City as a member of the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue community, has curated shows for the Bronx Museum of Art, the Yeshiva University Museum and more. As Curator of the Cecil Roth Collection at the Beth Tzedec Museum in Toronto, she helped to create the Judaica gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum. She is one of the founders of Toronto's Ashkenaz Festival of New Jewish Culture that showcases the work of leading contemporary artists from Canada and around the world working in music, film, theatre, dance, literature, craft and visual arts.

Nava Disenchik

Senior Consultant for Arts and Culture, Jerusalem's Mayor Nir Barkat

Dissenchik served as the CEO of Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center and a personal Consultant of Tel Aviv's Mayor Shlomo Lahat. After she has successfully completed a few arts and culture major projects in Tel Aviv, Dissenchik was hired by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

Uri Rosenbach

Founder and Owner, Rosenbach Contemporary, Jerusalem

Rosenbach served as the CEO and main auctioneer (licensed in New York) of a leading auction house in Israel. His understanding of the makeup and potential of the US market, led to the establishment of Stein Rose Fine Art in New York. Rosenbach decided to concentrate his efforts on strengthening the conversation surrounding contemporary Israeli Art in Jerusalem and established Rosenbach Contemporary on King David St., one of the only private galleries in Jerusalem to exhibit and promote contemporary Israeli art.

Ram Ozeri

Founder and Director, The Jerusalem Biennale

For bio, look at the Team members.

Team

Featured

Ram Ozeri, Founder and Director

After earning his BA with special distinction in P.P.E (Philosophy, Political Science and Economics) and an MA in Economics, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rami worked for a few years as an economist. At the age of 30 he decided to make a change in his life: He signed up and got accepted to the Fine Art department of Bezalel. A few years later he founded the Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art, and today combines in his current work entrepreneurship, management and writing.

Abby Margulies, Director of Development

11 years in NYC provided Abby with exposure to multidisciplinary arts that has carried her from a career in Food as a Chocolatier and subsequently a Private Chef business to brainstorming and writing tactical grant proposals for a disruptive strategic technology firm. Her inspiration stems from an alchemy in creative magic which weaves together art, ideas and content. In 2008 she pulled roots out of the U.S. and planted herself in Israel. After years of professional palette play, she joins the team at the Jerusalem Biennale, where relationships are catalyzed and partnerships realized. Abby holds a B.A. in Psychology and Religion from Skidmore College, an M.A. in Food Studies from New York University and a Certificate of Pastry Arts from the French Culinary Institute.

Jenna Romano, Tours

Originally from New York, Jenna Romano moved to Jerusalem in 2011. She earned a BA in Museum Studies from ASU's Herberger College of the Arts (2009) and has held gallery positions in New York and Paris. In 2015 Jenna founded CAIJ.co, a growing online guide to Jerusalem's contemporary art scene. She organizes bespoke gallery tours in Jerusalem, ushering a variety of groups through the unique gallery spaces and exhibitions in Jerusalem, as well as introducing them to local artists. Jenna is also a contributing art writer for publications such as the Jerusalem Post, Telavivian and Oh So Arty.

Eitam Tubul, Branding and Design

Eitam is definitely one of the most talented souls in the Jerusalem young and vibrant artists community. With specialization in branding within the arts and Culture scene of Jerusalem and in Web and Print Design, Eitam is involved in almost every project in the city.

Lydia Weitzman, PR

Lydia Weitzman is passionate about Israel and has worked for many years with the international media, promoting tourism, culture and lifestyle in the country. Part of the founding team for the Jerusalem Biennale, Lydia is proud to represent the Biennale2017 as it takes its rightful place on the international contemporary Jewish art scene.

Kobi Frig, Producer

Immediately following his army service Kobi Frig began his career in production and developed his distinctive style for running large scale events in public spaces throughout the city of Jerusalem. Kobi places great emphasis on creating events that are open to the general public, free of charge and include: active partners, the local community, artists and businesses. He is one of the founders of the Wake Up Jerusalem movement, which encourages and provides solutions for young people committed to staying in Jerusalem, is a pivotal figure in the city's cultural scene and has been responsible for multiple groundbreaking events including: street festivals, public weddings and, most recently, the now famous Balabasta Festival of the annual Jerusalem Season of Culture. In addition to his production work, Kobi has been a leading figure in Jerusalem’s cultural and social development for the past ten years.

Chen Horak, Exhibition Designer

An interior designer, a graduate of Shenkar academic B.Des (2006). Has been designing private, commercial and public spaces for over a decade in diversified projects. Owns her private studio for interior design since 2014. During 2016 submitted her thesis in which she researched religious artists in the contemporary art field in Israel for 5 years, as part of her master's degree studies (M.A.) in the Unit of Culture Research at the Tel- Aviv University. Holds privately lectures and courses in design, teaching the History of Art and Design, and have a teacher's certificate in art at Kerem Institution- an institute for the training of Jewish humanistic teachers in Jerusalem. Escorts, promote and mediates Israeli artists with relevant clients in the interior design process.

Danielle Margiotta, Social Media and Website

Danielle Margiotta is a recent graduate from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Studio Arts with two additional minors in Art History and Photography. Over the course of her four years in school she obtained various internships in New York City and on campus jobs focusing on art and culture. Following her graduation, she applied for Onwards Israel and was hired as a summer intern for the Jerusalem Biennale. She mainly handled website and social media. Now Danielle is extending her stay in Israel and will continue working for the Jerusalem Biennale to see the project through.

Nathan Landau, Head of Installation Team

The mind and muscles behind Muslala's famous workshop, now located in Beta Centre, and certificated Tour Guide.

Board Members

Featured

Shaike El-Ami, Chairman

Shaike El Ami was born in July 1959 on the religious kibbutz Sa’ad. He is married with four children. He has a BA in History and Jewish Philosophy from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an MA in Jewish Philosophy from Schechter Institute. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the IDF. He has been the Director of a Community Council since 1998, and of Ginot Ha’ir Community Council since 2001.

Dani Danieli

Dani Danieli has been the director of BEIT AVI CHAI in Jerusalem for 7 years and previously- deputy director of AVI CHAI Israel. Dani is married and the father of three. He has a B.A. and an M.A. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and has studied at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Dani worked for many years as a consultant for educational systems and as a group facilitator. The positions he has held include: director of a central educational unit and personnel development and training officer at Melitz; director of educational planning in the Jerusalem municipal education department; team leader at the Association for the Advancement of Community Education; and coordinator of educational projects for the Jerusalem Foundation.

Bracha Zuriel, Member

Bracha has an extensive experience in growing organizations, working with lay leadership, fundraising and connecting Americans and Israelis. She is a Founding Partner at E.B. Zuriel Solutions, Inc, serving Israeli and US organizations, Jewish federations and non- profits in project management, creating cross cultural connections, improving their fund raising, volunteer development, strategic visioning, etc.

Dov Abramson, Member

Dov Abramson is Jerusalem-based designer and artist whose work explores the tensions in contemporary Jewish and Israeli identity and culture. A graduate of Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, he was awarded the Felheim Typography Award in for his attempt to re-design the classic Talmud page. Dov's work can be found in the collections of the Israel Museum, the Jewish Museum in New York, and The Ein Harod art Museum. He lives in the Katamonim neighborhood with his wife Sarit and their three daughters.

Jonathan Bezalel, Head of Internal Audit

Jonathan is 34 years old, married with 4 children, lives in Jerusalem. He holds a BA in Business Management and Economics (magna cum laude) and a MBA (specializing in Finance and Marketing) both from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Jonathan works in The Ministry of Finance as a senior depute comptroller (International Infrastructure, Energy & Water). He is also pursuing his PhD degree in behavioral finance.