Impressions from our second visit to Ein Hod

Hidden away in the beautiful hills near Haifa, lies a tiny village named Ein Hod.  We arrived midday unaware of the incredible creativity that flows everyday through the air.
From the first encounter we were mesmerized by the skillful metal work of a Japanese artist, Nabuya Yamaguchi, whose fascinating background of culture and religion was clearly influential on his work.
We were privileged enough to be an audience for both his metal work then his vibrant music as he played instruments that he himself had created and taught himself to play.  We also visited several other workshops, including Jonathan a woodworker who makes beautiful instruments of the viola family, jewelers, Maya, Daniel and Irith, a sculptor Dagan who led us through a whole field of his larger-than-life rock creations.
We met a self-taught painter, Uri Gil, who agreed to take precious time out of his working hours to talk to us and answer questions about his influences and techniques. Dina Merhave a sculptress who transfers discarded pieces of 'junk' metal into pieces of artwork. We had dinner at Isris Samra's house.
We ended the evening by separating into our allocated houses in Ein Hod, where the owners had generously agreed to host us for the night.  Some of us too excited to sleep explored the area, namely the beer garden, where we talked with the locals, drinking the delicious home-brewed beer by Danny Shlyfestone and munching on sunflower seeds and pretzels!
We where hosted for the night at: Nadav & Nechama, Tina Berkovits, Roy & Noa, Mara & Giora, Neomi & Zeev, Niv & Anat, Yael & Alan, Raichi & Shmaya, Lea & Dan and Ronni Right. We thank their generosity.
Next morning we had breakfast at Dan and Lea house, a Butoh workshop with Iris and then the group split to do workshops in painting with Ziva Kainer and pottery with Neomi. 
We loved our visit to Ein Hod. Everybody left feeling artistically fulfilled inspired to create our own work. We really hope to visit Ein Hod again soon!

Written by: Young Judaea Year Course Arts Tracks Participants:
Georgia Edell (Canada)
Hannah Gordon Teller (England)
Sarielle Luger (United States)
Shoshannah Buxbaum (United States)