Written by Tammy Mark for The Jewish Home.
The expression of creativity and dedication to G-d can be seen as an elusive combination. Artists are considered amongst the free-thinkers of the world and creative arts a form of personal expression, while observance requires a certain level of conformity. Yet, art and observance have been beautifully intertwined throughout Jewish history. With biblical figures such as King David, whose poetry became our Tehillim, and Betzalel, the chief artisan charged with building the vessels of the Mishkan, we see the possibility to integrate these traits.
Yiddy Lebovits is an artist living and working in Jerusalem. He is also the son of the Nikolsburg Rabbi of Monsey, New York. Yiddy moved from Monsey to Jerusalem with his family in 2013 to fulfill his dream of settling in Israel. As he explored the splendor of the Holy Land, he was taken by its beauty in all shapes and forms. From the sights and sounds of the Machane Yehuda Shuk to the convergence of the country’s diverse inhabitants, Yiddy began preserving these sensory experiences through his art.
Even with his devout background and rabbinic lineage, art was a strong part of his upbringing. His father, the Rebbe, would often draw for Yiddy and his siblings. His maternal grandfather was an artist and a rabbi. Yiddy remembers his first set of art supplies, purchased by his mother at the legendary Canal Street shop, Pearl Paint, when he was eight years old. She constantly encouraged him, even sending some of his work off to renowned art and auction house Sotheby’s, where they took the time to respond with a letter of encouragement.
Yiddy had no formal art training but read books to expand his skills. He was always creating art and experimenting with different mediums. “Whatever would leave a mark on a paper, I tried,” he recalls. He now works with a wide range of mediums including charcoal, pastels and digital. His online collection features his famous street scenes but also includes still life and portraits.
Yiddy studied graphic design and web design for close to 20 years ago and worked in that emerging field for many years. He then became a tutor, teaching English and Jewish studies, and giving art lessons to as many as 150 students. He instilled basic art skills so his students would be able to produce art on their own, encouraging them to infuse their artwork with their individual flavor. His art lessons ultimately flowed into life lessons, teaching children about having perspective and the ability to see the “big picture” without getting too distracted by details.
While always a part of his life, Yiddy’s own artwork was not yet a source of income for him. Upon reaching Israel, he felt the artistic spirit to be stronger in the Holy Land. Lebovits believes, “Freedom of thought comes out in Israel.” That spirit, coupled with his passion for the Holy Land, evolved his lifelong interest into something more.
Yiddy had dreamt of moving to Israel for 12 years. While some family members admired his passion, others thought it was a farfetched fantasy. He spoke about fulfilling the mitzvah of settling Eretz Yisrael to his children and incorporated it with each weekly Torah reading. When the time finally came for the dream to materialize, his immediate family was ready and excited. Even his father knew he couldn’t hold him back and has visited twice so far.
Yiddy is extremely passionate in his love for Israel and feels profoundly privileged to finally live there. He encourages everyone to visit Israel and has even persuaded many of his friends who had never thought of making the trip. On a recent visit to New York, he exhibited his artwork at an event called “Painting a Jewish future in the Holy Land” sponsored by Merom
Yerushalyim, a residential complex in the heart of Jerusalem. Yiddy’s cousin, CEO Yossi Waldman, had seen his artwork a while back and asked him to join their event to showcase his Jerusalem street scenes.
While he enjoys his street scenes of Jerusalem the most, Yiddy’s art portrays many facets of Jewish life, such as the shtetls of pre-war Europe and the scenery of the Catskills bungalow colonies. Drawing soldiers alongside rabbis, he celebrates the “melting pot” of Israel. “The brotherhood really exists. There is an underlying way we relate to each other, even with all the politics.”
Yiddy has always been interested in history. He felt a deep connection to the culture of the Lower Manhattan – the stories, the shops and the people – and Jewish and American history in general. At this juncture in his life he looks fondly at those past eras of Jewish history, but in Israel he now feels he is living in the future. “We have to invest in the future and be a part of it,” he says.
Now that Yiddy and his wife and children are fulfilling this vision, he also continues to pass down his artistic legacy. His six children are all budding artists; his 14-year-old daughter showing abundant interest. The family is supportive of each other’s individual talents; Yiddy’s brother Yoeli is a popular Jewish comedian, a badchan. Their father, the Rebbe, enjoys and encourages his talents as well, as he believes that making somebody smile is one of the most important acts a person can do.
Yiddy shared a story of a photographer he met from Tsfat. He was a baal teshuva who stopped taking photos when he started learning Torah, believing it took away from his learning. After he learned about the importance of sharing the Torah one learns, he realized that G-d’s gifts are meant to be shared, and reincorporated his photography into his Torah life.
One of the lessons Lebovits always imparted to his art students was to appreciate and thank G-d for whatever quality or talent they may possess. He wanted them to understand that it’s okay to take a compliment. His advice today is the same, “When G-d gives a talent it’s not meant to be hidden.”