"When My Brother Fell in Battle, I Knew I Would Take His Place, Then My Second Brother Was Killed Too"

A blend of cheerfulness, joy, and optimism is vividly present in the remarkable Judaica artworks of artist Michael Elkayim. He presents them before our eyes one by one – an ornate ketubah, designed mezuzah cases, illustrated Esther scrolls on parchment, and above all – Passover Haggadahs, which are in special demand these days.

All these items are characterized by so much zest for life that it's hard to believe what led to their creation, and perhaps to Michael's involvement in Judaica, were actually heavy tragedies that struck his family.

No More War

"We are a bereaved family," he begins, "My eldest brother was killed in the Yom Kippur War, leaving behind a wife and two daughters. A few years later, in the Lebanon War, my younger brother was severely injured. For a long period, he lay in the hospital unconscious, and only afterward did the end come. During that period, my father passed away; he couldn't bear the pain. My mother passed away shortly after my brother died."

Two things followed these events. "Shortly after my elder brother's fall, I officially started engaging in art," Elkayim says. "It was so natural and meant to be, because my brother himself was a very talented artist. He worked with copper reliefs and unique designs. As a child, I received some paints and materials from him and started creating. When he passed away, it was clear to me that I would continue, and since then, for almost fifty years, I haven't stopped for a moment."

After the second brother's death, something else happened. "I began getting closer to Judaism," Elkayim recalls, "It was during the time I was saying Kaddish for him and my father who had passed, naturally leading me to frequent the synagogue, where I found myself participating in prayers. I especially connected to the prayers asking Hashem to spread peace, like in the conclusion of the Amidah prayer, in the blessing 'Sim Shalom', and in other places as well. During those days, I also launched a large exhibition called 'No More War', where I presented a series of paintings created from the heart, which toured all the 'Yad Lebanim' houses across the country. The exhibition also featured a category of paintings related to the sacred items one leaves in the world and their holy legacy. "This is how I was drawn into Jewish art," he explains.

Day by day, Elkayim continued to draw closer to Judaism, and his creations also began to focus more on the field of Judaica. "Today I am particularly involved in Jewish art," he explains, "I have numerous projects that I am promoting in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, through which my paintings are distributed with content about Jewish holidays across the Jewish world. I also create mezuzahs, cups, and various Judaica items from different materials."

Can you talk about a painting you particularly connect with?

"I have three categories of works that I really connect with – there are paintings belonging to the series 'The Jewish Home', there are paintings from the life in synagogues, and then there's my Judaica products, the scrolls, and the Passover Haggadahs I produce." He pauses for a moment and then remembers: "I once created a painting of the Exodus from Egypt, and found that it magnetically attracted everyone. It always receives warm reactions and generates considerable interest. Recently, I also painted a long series showing Noah's Ark from all sides and angles. That too has succeeded in capturing and entering the hearts of many people."

When we talk about religious art, is it usually only of interest to religious people?

"It may be surprising, but not only does Judaica interest Jews from all sectors, I've found over the years that it also fascinates people who are not Jewish. It frequently happens that I travel abroad to present exhibitions, and often those who are the most impressed are actually non-Jews."

No Biblical Portraits

Elkayim has rules and guidelines he isn't willing to break. For instance, in Biblical paintings, he makes sure not to paint portraits of the characters themselves, which he says is definitely challenging. "But I strive to pay special attention to the paintings, understanding that I can't just paint what's below or only what's above, but need to combine everything together. This is my aspiration – to bring to the public paintings on a different level, in terms of the content and message they convey."

Some time ago, Elkayim launched a new project called 'My Childhood Landscape', where he invited people to send him pictures of the landscapes of their childhood, and he painted them artistically. "Every painting in this project turned out completely different from its companion, even when it involved similar places," he notes.

By the way, student groups who wish to view his paintings often visit his studio. "Sometimes they come and see how within a short hour I paint an entire painting, in other cases, groups come and see that I barely complete pencil sketches. I explain to everyone that in the world of painting there are no rules; there are quick paintings, and conversely those that take months to complete. And no, you can't know beforehand how much time the current painting will require."

What's happening these days? Is there a special painting you're working on?

"Among my people I sit, and I see that during this time what mainly interests people are the Passover Haggadahs. I have Haggadahs of all kinds, some designed for collectors since they are especially elaborate, some initially created for groups ordering a specific design, and some suitable for the general public."

Alongside the Haggadahs, he also presents sculpted handwashing cups suitable for Passover, as well as a Passover Seder plate, cups, and a matzah plate. "My goal is to raise awareness of Jewish art as much as possible," he explains, "I feel this is entirely a mission."