From the dawn of humanity, man has favored this stately metal, and owning sterling silver is considered a sign of wealth and abundance.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: MARCH 29, 2018 15:56Hazorfim(photo credit: Hazorfim)
Rare, pure silver artwork from between the olive treesHiddenamong the olive groves in Hevel Modiin is the largest silver studio forsterling silver worldwide. Hazorfim’s workroom holds a rare andbreathtaking sight: dozens of craftsmen working side by side, thedelicate silver responding to their skilled touch and formingexceptional works of art. Hazorfim is a group of artisans active since1952, and each item is passed through more than 30 skilled hands, whichtogether create a perfect piece. Each item begins as a dream that istransmitted to artists who sketch and mold it into reality, andeventually it is cast, beaten, soldered, and soaked, each by an expertartisan in that field.Fromthe dawn of humanity, man has favored this stately metal, and owningsterling silver is considered a sign of wealth and abundance.Thiswas the metal chosen for the holy vessels of the Tabernacle, a metalsynonymous with profitable investment, lusted after by ancient seapirates and which in Medieval Times served as a source of funding forwar and redeeming captives.Kings and aristocracy discoveredthe anti-bacterial properties inherent in silver, and silver has beenused to find poisons in water sources. Eating off silver has long beena symbol for long life.The goal: reinstating silversmithing in IsraelSilversmithingis a traditional vocation passed from generation to generation, aJewish profession since the times of the Temple. Through a tumultuoushistory, scattered among the nations, the Jews have upheld thisancient, disappearing art. The founders of Hazorfim held on to theirvision of returning the art of silverwork to Jewish smiths in the newstate and preserving the craft for future generations.AtHazorfim, a group of artisans works with the same ancient techniques,and every day a new item is formed from pure silver. Hazorfim’ssilversmiths sit at the leading end of current silversmithing worldwide.Threesurvivors of the Nazi inferno, talented smiths in Eastern Europe,managed to bring their tools to Israel. In one of their kitchens, theyset up a small workshop, which they named Hazorfim.YosefMardinger, Michael Steinmetz, and Wilhelm Kerner formed a partnershipand set off on a journey whose end they could not have fathomed.Tothe small kitchen workshop, homemakers would bring family heirlooms tobe mended, and wonderful new items began to be created for the newgeneration.Despite the difficult financial times and period ofausterity, religious customers never went without silver to beautifythe Shabbat, and Hazorfim’s name was advertised by word of mouth.Buyers from Israel and abroad began to flock to the small workshop. Theworkshop expended, and moved to south Tel Aviv, to Kibbutz Galuyot St.Whenthe partners reached the age of 60, they decided to bring in theyounger generation. Yaakov Mardinger, Yosef’s son, tells of his longjourney that began when he was a small child bouncing around thekitchen workshop, until today. “As early as I remember, I wieldeda hammer. When I was 13, I designed two silver pieces, one of which – aspice box – is sought-after till this day. It was a prototype thatbecame surprisingly successful. I worked in the workshop after schooland on vacations, but never dreamed that this would become my futureprofession.”In 1983, the Mardinger family bought out the otherHazorfim partners, and the company remains under their ownership.Unfortunately, Yosef Mardinger passed away shortly thereafter, and his27-year-old son was left to run the company alone. Under his experthands, Hazorfim transformed from a group of twenty artisans to areputable company, employing over 200 smiths. In 1994 the workshopmoved to its current center in Kfar Daniel, in Hevel Modiin.The ArtistsNotfor nothing was Hevel Modiin chosen for the factory setting. Betweenthe hills and olive groves flew the banner of the Hasmonean rebellionagainst the Greeks 2000 years ago, and those hills where the battleswere fought are the view from the windows of Hazorfim’s factory.Hazorfim’ssterling silver Hanukkah menorahs are one of the most sought-afterpieces by art collectors the world over, and are created appropriatelywithin the setting that has become a symbol of the Jewish nation’sstrength, in memory of which we celebrate Hanuka.The art atHazorfim can be found at the company’s chain stores and their onlinestore. Daily, a unique piece becomes rare, and a new work of art isadded.Hazorfim’s artists, led by Yakov Mardinger, design uniquecollections with an Israeli orientation, and above all, each item isdesigned with a special understanding of the nature of sterling silverand of the intricacies of silversmithing. The attractive selection includes candlesticks, Kiddush goblets, Hanukamenorahs, Judaica, and serving dishes that will enhance every any home.
“Design is a like a relay race”, Yakov explains. “You have to makeconstant progress or you fall behind. We enjoy the challenge of complexdesign, not sitting back on our laurels, daring to dream up new ideas.”The dreams of Hazorfim’s artists join the selection of unique silver pieces, creating a perfect gift for the holidays.“At the end of the day,” Yakov summarizes, “when I look at our silvercreations silverwork, crafted in Israel, and know that our pieces willadorn so many homes in Israel and abroad for many long generations, Isee the long process in which many, many artists have taken part, and Icannot help but be uplifted by the honor of participating in such amajestic occurrence: the soul of silver.”This is a sponsored article. The article should not be considered as advice.
