In this session, we’ll explore the works of painter and installation artist Ester Schneider. Her unique life story and path of studies in the art world has conjured a fascinating body of works that call for a journey through local Israeli culture, mythology, religious imagery, womanhood and more. The first and main part of the session will be led by Shirel Horovitz taking us through Schneider’s works. Then, we’ll transition into a conversation with the artist herself and end with time for Q&A.

Ester Schneider (Born 1978 in USSR, lives and works in Tel Aviv) earned her B.Des and her MFA at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Schneider works mainly in painting and installation. Her work is inspired by a multiplicity of cultural arenas, including Jewish mysticism, Persian miniatures, and Russian modernism. Schneider is the recipient of the Ministry of Culture Award in Visual Arts (2019), the Ilana -Bezalel Prize for Excellence in the Arts (2016), the Givon Prize (2012), and the Young Artist Prize by the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sport (2011), as well as excellence awards from the Advanced Studies Programs at Bezalel and Hamidrasha – Beit Berl College. Schneider, represented by Raw Art gallery, has exhibited extensively in local art institutions and in various international venues, including the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, HerzliyaMuseum of Contemporary Art, Inga Gallery, Triumph Gallery in Moscow, gallery of the American Jewish University in Los Angeles and more. Her works are included in the collections of the Tel Aviv Museum and Ha’aretz, and in private collections in Israel and abroad.

Through sculpting, drawing and sound, Shirel Horovitz’s installations and performances explore the relations between cities and communities. She earned her BFA from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, her MA from the Interdisciplinary Art Program at Tel Aviv University, and has been studying and practicing Zen-Buddhist inquiry meditation since 2007. Her works have been exhibited in museums and galleries across Israel and the US. She is currently working on new works, among them, a sound installation to be exhibited in Ramat Gan Museum of Art in June 2021. Alongside her art practice Shirel leads tours, lectures and is an art consultant with a variety of organizations. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Shirel has adapted her live tours and lectures to engaging online experiences inviting people from around the world to explore the fascinating world of Israeli art. Website: shirelhorovitz.com.

There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.

CSP Partners: Beth Israel (San Diego, CA), Brotherhood Synagogue (Gramercy Park, NYC), Congregation Beth Shalom (Seattle, WA), Congregation B’nai Tzedek (Fountain Valley, CA), Congregation B’nai Israel (Tustin, CA), Jewish Collaborative of Orange County, CA, Shomrei Torah Synagogue (San Fernando Valley, CA), Temple Bat Yahm (Newport Beach, CA), Temple Beth El of South Orange County (Aliso Viejo, CA), Temple Beth Emet (Anaheim, CA), Temple Beth Ohr (La Mirada, CA), Temple Beth Tikvah (Fullerton, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA), Temple Beth Sholom (Santa Ana, CA), Temple Emanuel (Newton, MA), Town & Village Synagogue (NYC, NY), University Synagogue (Irvine, CA), Valley Beth Shalom (Encino, CA) & Walnut Street Synagogue (Chelsea, MA)