Saturday Jun 21, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home Culture

Israeli, Emirati calligraphers collaborate on trailblazing exhibit in Jerusalem

The exhibition, titled "Maktoub," which means both "written" and "destined" in Arabic, features works from 10 calligraphy artists, half from Israel and half from the UAE.

by  JNS and ILH Staff
Published on  11-29-2021 12:15
Last modified: 11-29-2021 12:57
Israeli, Emirati calligraphers collaborate on trailblazing exhibit in JerusalemCourtesy

Jerusalem-based, Syrian-American artist Lenore Cohen Mizrachi (left) and Dubai-based, Moroccan-born artist Chama Mechtaly at an exhibition in Jerusalem, Nov. 20, 2021 | Photo: Courtesy

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Artists from the United Arab Emirates and Israel are displaying their Hebrew and Arabic calligraphic art in a first-of-its-kind exhibition at the Jerusalem Theater, to run from Nov. 20 to Dec. 30.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter 

The exhibition, titled "Maktoub," which means both "written" and "destined" in Arabic, features works from 10 calligraphy artists (five from Israel and five from the UAE), according to a press statement.

The exhibition is co-curated by Chama Mechtaly, who is based in Dubai, and Lenore Cohen Mizrachi, who is based in Jerusalem.

"Lenore is a Syrian-Jewish artist from Brooklyn who worked most of her life on Arabic calligraphy. And I grew up in a Muslim context in Casablanca, Morocco, and lived in the UAE for the past five years but always worked on Hebrew calligraphy and indigenous North African Jewish art," Mechtaly told Jewish News Syndicate.

One of the pieces of artwork on display at the Jerusalem Theater (Jerusalem Theater)

Describing her and Mizrahi's art as "conceptually mirror images of one another's," Mechtaly said their works "express this deep longing for the other side of our culture that has been underrepresented or repressed in our communities and yet completely defined how our cultures evolved, where Islam and Judaism lived in close proximity and nurtured one another."

Following the Abraham Accords, it was Mizrahi who reached out to Mechtaly with the idea for a collaboration.

"Lenore and I met online many years ago as we both work on [Middle Eastern] art from completely different spaces, but when the accords were announced she reached out to me to say that her favorite calligraphy instructors, whom she met in New York City, were from Dubai, and wanted to see if we could create a residency for artists from Israel and the UAE to collaborate physically for the first time," said Mechtaly.

Mechtaly said she expects more such collaborations.

"This was the first grassroots cultural initiative between the two countries, but I know that there is a genuine interest to advance meaningful cultural collaboration from governments, cultural institutions and individuals in both," she said.

The second part of "Maktoub," according to Mechtaly, is a residency program planned for the UAE in 2022 that for the first time will bring Israeli and UAE artists together to work in the same physical space.

"What happens going forward will depend on how committed we all are to deepening the social implications of the peace deals and setting the right foundation for sustainable peace in the region," she said.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The exhibition was sponsored by the British Embassy in Israel, and American philanthropists Jon and Dina Leader.

British Ambassador Neil Wigan said in the press statement: "Calligraphy and the written word have vital importance for Jewish and Islamic cultures and religions. 'Maktoub' is a natural fit to be the first exhibition presenting collaborations between Israeli and Emirati artists, and that's why we at the British Embassy are delighted to support it."

Eitan Charnoff, an Israeli-American who has been exporting medical technology to the UAE for the past four years, helped organize the event.

"'Maktoub' can serve as a reminder for those of us in the commercial space that the Abraham Accords are much deeper than just economic opportunity but are a rich bridge to reconnect our region," he said.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

Tags: artCalligraphyIsraelJerusalemUAE

Related Posts

Caitlyn Jenner escapes warzone through JordanKOKO

Caitlyn Jenner escapes warzone through Jordan

by Eran Swissa

The Hollywood celebrity had arrived in the country last week as a guest of honor for Tel Aviv's Pride parade...

Beach Boys' Brian Wilson dies at 82Casey Curry/Invision/AP

Beach Boys' Brian Wilson dies at 82

by Adi Nirman

The songwriter and producer's creative genius culminated in the groundbreaking album "Pet Sounds", which music critics widely regard as rock's...

Dawn French forced to apologize after Gaza war video sparks massive backlashYouTube

Dawn French forced to apologize after Gaza war video sparks massive backlash

by Inbal Chiat

Beloved comedian removes controversial 40-second clip following backlash over "mocking tone" toward October 7 attack

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • Iran War
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il