About Us

The Association

The Association for Contemporary Metalsmithing and Jewelry in Israel was founded with the goal to develop, establish, and deepen the public and professional knowledge regarding the field of metalsmithing and jewelry in Israel its historical and cultural importance.

Metalsmithing and jewelry are among the oldest practices in human history, through which one can learn about significant cultural, economic, material, technological and aesthetic processes. For many years this field was mainly based on and associated with precious metals such as silver and gold. However, throughout the 20th century and especially in the last decades, the field of contemporary metalsmithing and jewelry has “liberated” itself from these materials and other conventions to achieve greater artistic freedom. The definitions of “holloware” and “jewelry” have expanded and today both are “free” of the preconceived notion of what they used to be.

The Association for Contemporary Metalsmithing and Jewelry in Israel hopes to achieve the spread of knowledge regarding the field of contemporary metalsmithing and jewelry around the world;  will act to encourage municipal and governmental grants and budgets, awards and public support for the local field; to encourage the establishment of new contemporary jewelry and metalsmith collections within museums, galleries and public institutions while strengthening those that already exist; and will encourage the promotion of academic and public research budgets for writing on subjects relating to contemporary jewelry and metalsmithing in Israel.

Einat Leader (Chairwoman)

Born in Jerusalem (1966). A jeweller, lecturer, researcher and curator in the field of metalwork, design and craft. A graduate of the Metalwork department, Bezalel, Jerusalem (BA 1992) and a Master’s degree in industrial design from the Technion, Haifa (M.Sc. 2003). Associate Professor and faculty member in the department of Jewellery and Fashion (head of department, 2005-2013) and in the department of Visual and Material Culture of Bezalel. 

Dania Chelminsky

Mexico, 1966. 1988-2000, Designed jewelry at her own studio and shop. Since 2000, she has been creating Contemporary Jewelry, exhibited in Israel and around the world. 2017-2018, Integrated Design, M. Design, HIT. Metalsmith Studies: 1986-87, Omanit, TA, 1989, GIA,LA, 1991, Kulick Inst., NYC. 1985, Sciences B.Sc., Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem

Tamar Paley 

(b.1991, Jerusalem, Israel) is a Tel-Aviv-based contemporary jewelry artist.  With metalsmithing as her primary medium, Paley assembles forms and materials of personal and cultural significance to create wearable and functional objects, often exploring the politics of religious and gendered identities. Her works are exhibited locally and globally and have been acquired by public collections such as the MFA Boston, and The ‘Anu’  Museum (Tel Aviv). Paley holds a Bachelor of Design from The Shenkar College Department of Jewelry Design and is currently a student of Judaism and the Arts at The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies.

Vered Kaminski

Born Kibbutz Revadim 1953. Lives and works in Jerusalem. B.A. Department of Gold and Silversmithing, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem. M.A. Department of Plastic Arts, University of Paris VIII, Vincennes at Saint-Denis, France. Lecturer at Bezalel, Department of Jewelry and Fashion from 1988, Professor from 2007.

Zakharova Sofia

Born in Moscow, Russia (1990). Goldsmith, teacher, researcher in the field of metalwork, design and science. Graduated from the Jewelry and Fashion Department, Bezalel, Jerusalem (2019 BA). Master’s student in the industrial design department, Bezalel, Jerusalem. Bachelor’s assistant in the jewelry and fashion department from 2020-2023, exhibited at international exhibitions, works at the diamond exchange in Ramat Gan.

Daniella Saraya 

Was born in Tel Aviv, Israel (1988). She is an artist and a curator, completed her bachelor’s degree in jewelry design (2013) and her master’s degree in multidisciplinary design (2017) from Shenkar College (Israel). Her works question the Boundaries of jewelry, focusing on its performative aspects and its meaningful connection to the body.

Kobi Roth (Treasurer)

Born in Tel Aviv (1962) and raised in Kibbutz Negva. A jeweller, curator, Graduate of Bezalel, The goldsmith department (BA hons 1991) Jerusalem. He has been awarded the design excellence prize on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Israel.
Participated in jewellery and design exhibitions in Israel, including the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, as well as exhibitions around the world. works in a jewellery studio in Tel Aviv.

Shirly Bar-Amotz

Born in Israel, 1974 . Shirly is a senior lecturer at the Jewelry and Fashion Department at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem. She holds a BFA (1999), and an MFA (2005) – from the Jewelry Department at Bezalel Academy.  She has been awarded the Andy Prize (2012), the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport Award for Design (2007). She presented a solo exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Gallery Loupe (NJ), and more.

Shachar Cohen 

(b. 1981). Graduate of the department for jewellery and holloware, Academy of Fine Art Munich (2018) and the department of jewellery and fashion, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem (2010). Faculty member of the department for jewellery and fashion Bezalel from 2018

Naama bergman (Auditor)

Editorial team: Michal Oren, Einat Leader
Graphic Design: Aviv Lichter

Partnered of the magazine editorial team in its early stages: Beverly Price