Yossi Matityahu

Yossi Matityahu graduated from The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem in 1999. Yossi takes an innovative approach to traditional Jewish objects. His designs are drawn from the desire to create a meeting point between tradition and the means of modern world, characterized by clean and minimalist lines and dynamic elements, the effect of which is the desire to touch or operate the design. Yossi uses silver, aluminum, titanium and other metals. In Yossi's words: "the nature of our modern life is of high speed and ambitiousness, the house in fact becomes a fortress in which we seek to create a calming environment, a haven from every day life. . . . .Tradition is the keystone, the very foundation of progress. A contemporary design does not eliminate the previous ones, but rather builds another level. When I come to design Judaica, I picture the educated, updated, Renaissance man who knows his way in contemporary design along with a strong connection to the culture and heritage of our Jewish ancestors. When such person decorates his household, his "sacred palace", he wishes it to reflect his personality along with his culture. He no longer sees Judaism as ancient history, but rather as an eminent part of his life, full of substance and meaning. That is, in my eyes, Judaism which respect and cherish the heritage of the generation before us, which does not destroys the past, however imbibes from it by building another stature of meaning."