SIR2024-25
Workshop #1 (Two Hours) - “Home” as a Theme for Creativity
In this workshop Kobi will explain the basics of his manual metal wire bending technique. He will demonstrate how to make connections and ways to create with this material, using pliers and a wire cutter. Each participant will construct his/her own wire creation, responding to the theme of the workshop – Home. What is a Home for you? Pick one item that reminds you of Home. Maybe it’s a figure? Or an abstract idea?
Workshop #2 (Two Hours) - Freestyle Metal Wire Creation
In this workshop, Kobi will explain the basics of his manual metal wire bending technique. Through the workshop he will give demonstrations of connections and ways to create with this material, using pliers and a wire cutter. Each participant will create his/her own unique wire creation, with Kobi’s help and guidance.
Lecture #1 (One Hour including Q/A) - Three Decades of Metal Wire Creativity: the story of my material and spiritual journey in the metal wire world
In this lecture Kobi will talk about his long and interesting creative journey through the years with this magical material. He will talk about specific art and design pieces that he created along the way, describing the process from initial concept to creating the actual sculpture.
Lecture #2 (One Hour including Q/A) - Design and Art Exhibitions through the Years
In this lecture Kobi will talk about the exhibitions that he has taken part in through the years. He will talk about art and design exhibitions, recounting his personal experience of forging a connection with the curators from the concept stage up until the final exhibition. This will include discussion of both solo exhibitions and group exhibitions.
*Koby Sibony was born in Haifa, Israel, and as a young boy in Kiryat Motzkin (a suburb of Haifa), he began to play with thin copper wire, bending and shaping it with his hands. As he grew, he discovered a thicker metal wire which he continues to use to this day.
Koby graduated in 2011 with a degree in Industrial Design from the Bezalel Art and Design Academy in Jerusalem. After graduation, he opened an art and design studio in Kibbutz Lohamei HaGeta’ot.
In addition to 1 mm thick metal wire he uses electronic parts and discarded objects in his work. His tools consist of pliers, a wire cutter and his hands (no welding or soldering used). He identifies himself a “Designer/Maker”, and he considers his creations to be a bridge between the worlds of Art and Design. While some of Koby’s creations have a specific function, such as a transistor radio or light fixture, others have a more artistic, aesthetic character.
For much his work, nature is a main inspiration.
Koby lives in Kibbutz Lohamei HaGeta’ot with his wife Yael Ben Aaron and his son Nuri.
Hadas Kaldaron is currently serving as the artistic director of the National Youth Theatre. She is the granddaughter of renowned poet Avrom Sutzkever and she has been on a journey to keep her grandfather’s memory alive. To do this, Hadas had been involved in three projects: as the associate producer of the award-winning documentary "Black Honey, the Life and Poetry of Avraham Sutzkever"; as the producer and main character in the new film “Who Will Remain” and as the producer of the play “The Witness.”
Hadas will perform and work with students in the area of Holocaust remembrance and education.
Israel Lecture Offerings
Lecture #1: The Arab-Israeli Conflict
In this lecture, Avi will give an overview and an update on the current Israel-Gaza (Hamas) war. He will help participants understand the larger Arab-Israeli conflict (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Iran) and its wider global implications, including the role of the U.S. in the current conflict. Finally he will speak to Israel's post-war agenda and touch on possibilities related to the settlements over the Green Line, and the Temple Mount.
Lecture #2: Israel - General
The historical and religious ties of the Jewish people to the land of Israel spans over 3,000 years. However, today Israel’s democracy faces significant challenges, with current threats to its democratic system of governance, ongoing struggle is the definition of what it means to be a “Jewish State” and the complex nature of Jewish identity, which continues to evolve. Within Israeli society, the Ultra-Orthodox community plays a prominent role, with their distinct vision for the future of Israel, while the National-Religious group also offers its own perspective on the country’s direction. Additionally, Arab citizens of Israel, who make up a significant portion of the population, bring their own unique experiences and challenges to the broader Israeli society. In the realm of archaeology, Israel has seen a decade of groundbreaking discoveries that have greatly expanded our understanding of historical events, shedding light on the ancient past and its relevance to modern times.
Additional topics that Avi is available to present include:
Antisemitism Today Lecture Offerings
- The origins of Modern Antisemitism - from Antiquity to the Holocaust.
- Teacher seminar on dealing with Antisemitism – how to identify and confront the phenomenon
- Antisemitism & Anti-Zionism: Are all anti-Zionists anti-Semites? Are all anti-Semites anti-Zionist? Unpacking the “Israel-piece” of the rise in global antisemitism
- The rise in global antisemitism: Why now? How have governments responded? What can we do about it?
- Jewish-Christian reconciliation after the Holocaust
World Jewish Heritage
- The Jews of Greece: Origins, History, Customs, Contemporary Lives
- The Jews of Spain: Origins, History, Customs, Contemporary Lives
- The Jews of Italy: Origins, History, Customs, Contemporary Lives
- The Jews of Morocco: Origins, History, Customs, Contemporary Lives
- The Jews of Poland: Origins, History, Customs, Contemporary Lives
- The Jews of the United Kingdom: Origins, History, Customs, Contemporary Lives
- The Jews of France: Origins, History, Customs, Contemporary Lives
Seminal Jewish Figures Throughout History
- Four ancient personalities make their mark: Moses, Isaiah, Ezra, Simeon Bar-Kochba– historical contexts and impact
- Four personalities from the Middle Ages to the early Modern Period make their mark: Samuel Hanagid, Maimonides, Dona Gracia, Spinoza
*Avi Ben-Hur, a Brooklyn native, relocated to Israel in 1983. From 2003 to 2008, he served as the Director of the Archaeological Seminars School for Israeli Tour Guides. In 2008, Avi played a key role in reworking the curriculum for the National Guiding courses under the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. As a Scholar in Residence, Avi has lectured, taught, and facilitated workshops in the United States, Warsaw, Prague, Berlin, and Greece. Between 1996 and 2000, he was a faculty member at Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies. Avi's expertise as a guide has been focused on working with organizations addressing political issues, such as AIPAC and CIJA, interfaith programs, and Holocaust studies. Currently, he serves as an examiner for the Israeli Ministry of Tourism Licensing Boards and as the ongoing Scholar in Residence for Classrooms Without Borders.