Israeli artists share their talents and culture with the Tucson community

Saraleh Haitman oversees the painting of paper hamsas at the Boys & Girls Club of Tucson. The hand-shaped motif symbolizes protection from the evil eye.
Hebrew High’s Itai Kreisler displays his artwork following a discussion about the history and meaning of the Magen David.

Four artists from Israel — Ada Bouganim, Saraleh Haitman, Yehudit Ogorinsky and Vered Otmy — spent nearly two weeks in Tucson in February 2012, working with numerous Jewish and non-Jewish groups around town. Local artists lent a hand at several workshops and demonstrations. This people-to-people exchange was part of the TIPS (Tucson, Israel, Phoenix, Seattle) partnership 2gether program sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Agency for Israel, administered locally by the Weintraub Israel Center.

Jenna Olgin creates a Shabbat candleholder at Young Jewish Tucson’s Havdallah event with the artists.
Saraleh Haitman oversees the painting of paper hamsas at the Boys & Girls Club of Tucson. The hand-shaped motif symbolizes protection from the evil eye.
Tucson Hebrew Academy’s Emberly Davis with a project. Each K-8 class enjoyed six hours with the artists.
TIPS volunteer Gail Ben-Jamin (left) with artists Yehudit Ogorinsky and Ada Bouganim at the studio of potter Andy Iventosch, who presented them with handthrown stoneware mugs.
Tucson artist and TIPS volunteer Linda Behr (second from right) helps (from left) Eshed Ozeri, Sarah Johnston and Geva Ozeri create a community mandala at the Weintraub Israel Center’s Arty Party.