"Home" was the chosen theme for the fantastic art exhibit and cultural evening run by the Ellah Valley Artists Forum on Thursday, December 24th at Moshav Givat Yeshayahu.

The artists, who received a special grant from Partnership 2000 Beit Shemesh -
Mateh Yehuda - Washington - South Africa of the Jewish Agency, took over a structure on the Moshav and turned it into an art gallery. Over a dozen artists took part in the exhibit to the theme of "home". On display was photography, sculpture, ceramics and paintings. Outside were vendors selling local wine, beer, goat's cheese and beautifully made chocolates.

The second part of the evening included a lecture by Professor Yair Zakowitz on the theme of building one's home - from the book of Proverbs. This was followed by dramatic performance by local dancers Eva Elkayam and Batya Buber. It was a very moving performance from their play "Bayit Shtayim".

The last act of the night was a concert by local talented musicians Yoni Jehasi, and Tal Ben-Or who played original music. The hall was packed and the crowd received the blessings of Regional Council Chairman Moshe Dadon who said he would take the steps necessary to make the gallery permanent and to give the artists a place to exhibit their high quality works of art. Up till now the artists have always exhibited in their own homes or studios and have not had a shared home that could be called a gallery.

 This new gallery is a  much welcomed addition to the Mateh Yehuda region which can draw in additional tourism from Israel and abroad.

Kol HaKavod