Since our inception, Nekudah Institute has been working toward finding our own location in Tzfat, where we can program activities and welcome visitors. The directors of the historical Kosov Kehillah in the heart of the Old City of Tzfas, nearing completion of a major renovation project, have now consented to allow us to use their historical shul to house the Tzfat Center for Jewish Creativity, a project of Nekudah Institute Inc. It is a premium location, right at the end of the famous “gallery tunnel;” an ideal place to combine spirituality and creativity.

Goals:

Creativity is a priority that secular and religious outlooks share in common. In Tzfas, visitors get a taste of the variety of Jewish creative expression, but they don’t know what’s behind it. When we explore the spiritual approach to creativity, and how it is expressed in a uniquely Jewish way, we can engage Jews of all backgrounds and ages in a process of discovery and enlightenment. Everyone will come away from the experience with a deeper appreciation of the possibilities and opportunities  available, as well as its richness and depth.

What will happen at the Tzfat Center for Jewish Creativity?

1. Events: Lecture/demonstrations by local Jewish creatives: artists, musicians, poets, chefs, garment & jewelry designers
2. Jewish Creativity Training: Sessions will be presented for groups and individuals
3. Come in and interact: maybe catch a bite of an exotic delicacy, hear an impromptu concert, see an exhibition/lecture by a local artist, or just shmooze and share ideas.
4. Multimedia presentations (e.g. the Nekudah Program) on a variety of subjects, at scheduled times, and by appt for tour guides, etc.
5. Exhibits: Various workstations will be set up, each one focusing on a different area of creativity, providing examples of wide variety of ways it is expressed in a Jewish context. The principles of Jewish creativity will be explained, as shown below. For example:
   1. Ritual art: examples of artistic ritual objects, tools to create one
   2. Visual art: examples of Jewish paintings, ideas, simple tools to create
   3. Music: examples and tools (instruments, computer)
   4. Poetry & Prayer: e.g. Lecha Dodi, Yedid Nefesh, etc.: examples and tools
   5. Storytelling – the Maggid, chassidic stories, etc.

The Center will explore methods and techniques for creative inspiration and productivity based on Jewish concepts (the method taught in Jewish Creativity Training. It will work towards developing a “Jewish aesthetic.”

Process:

1. Appreciate
2. Explore
3. Become inspired
4. Create
5. Share with others

Principles:

1. We acknowledge that G-d is the ultimate Creator. That’s why Creation has infinite potential.
2. The world was created intentionally with purpose. That’s why what we create has meaning.
3. We have a reciprocal relationship with G-d. We take pleasure in His creations, and He takes pleasure in ours.
4. We can emulate His creations. Just as His creations have order, structure, and beauty, so do ours.
5. We can learn from His methods of creation to guide our own creations.
6. We use these tools to express our inspirations and insight so others can share in the experience, not just the intellectual understanding
7. After creating, we can, together with the Creator, enjoy and celebrate the Creation. That is the secret of Shabbos.

Creative Process:

1. Keser – Desire to create, irrational, existential, “creative ideal”
2. Chochmah – Unformed inspiration, uniting with source, ultimate humility (Nekudah)
3. Binah – Basic Conceptualization, forming the idea
4. Chessed – Preparing to give: how will this help? What am I contributing here?
5. Gevurah – Limiting, choosing a format. Which tools to use? Where to go and where not to.
6. Tiferes – Doing it.
7. Netzach – Persevering over obstacles, breaking through blockages
8. Hodayah – Gratitude for success, acknowledging the Source of creativity instead of taking credit for oneself
9. Yesod – Sharing it with the world.
10. Malchus – Appreciating how the experience has brought us closer to G-d, using it as a springboard for the next creation.

Visitors will be encouraged to leave their email addresses so we can follow up with them through our website. Various resources will be available for sale, and donations will be welcomed.

How You Can Help

Although we already have some equipment from previous drives, we need funding for additional equipment (e.g. video screen), signage, supplies, stock of items to sell, fliers and promotional materials, advertisements, etc. The more we have, the more quickly and effectively we can reach our goals. Although we can get started with minimum funding, it will definitely make a bigger impression with a broader support base.