Efim Levin is a master silversmith originally from Kyrgyzstan. He has been creating amazing and unique Judaica Art at Sarah’s Tent since 2011. Many of the techniques he uses were passed down to him from his family who specialized in crafting Judaica. Click here to read full bio.
Efim Levin was born in Kyrgyzstan in 1968. He grew up in an area which is now known as Bishkek – the largest city and capital of Kyrgyzstan. Efim was born into a family of artists and from a young age he began to paint and work with graphics.
He studied art in the prestigious National Academy of Arts of Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek and at the same time became interested in working with metals. A family member trained him in the art of silversmithing and he soon started to work more in metals and less in painting.
His art was influenced by the different cultures surrounding him in Central Asia but he strived to create a mixture between the East and West – he took ideas and influences from the cultures in Northern Africa to Lithuania and all across Central Asia. Many of his metal works include elements from the Arabesque – a form of artistic decoration consisting of surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils or plain lines, often combined with other elements.
Efim was interested in creating Judaica art from his metal works. The techniques and skills needed to make Judaica were a speciality of the family passed down for many generations but due to Soviet rule they were forbidden to make anything of the sort. Everything was done in secret. After Efim moved to Israel in 1991 after the fall of the Soviets he was free to create whatever he wanted and his soul was calling for Judaica.
He worked for many years creating intricate Jewelry and many Judaica items privately before joining Sarah’s Tent officially in 2011. He is proficient in working with all types of metals – silver, brass, bronze, iron and copper and his creations are a mixture of many different cultures and time periods of the world. Some of the techniques he uses are over one thousand years old.
Looking at one of his intricately designed Menorah’s (Chanukiah) one can see small engravings of the Holy City of Jerusalem and above that birds and palm trees specific to Morocco. He likes to combine different parts of the world to give his art that special look.
Today one can meet Efim sitting and crafting in Sarah’s Tent Gallery in Tzfat in his section of the gallery. One can find traditional Shabbat candlesticks, Mezuzah cases and many other beautiful Israel Silver Judaica items there. Please contact us to learn more about Efim’s work.