Louis Farkovitz Judaica Presentation

www.louisfarkovitz.com

Louis Farkovitz

Master Artisan and Goldsmith

Modern Day Judaica Celebrating & Memorializing the Survival of the Jewish People


Meet the ArtistBorn in New York, New York in 1957 Louis Farkovitz worked in the fine jewelry fashion industry for over 35 years. As a long term member ofthe Product Development team for Kieselstein-Cord in New York City, his execution of BKC designs have been displayed in elite department stores and boutiques world wide. His own personal designs number in the thousands and in addition to fine jewelry he has developed an exquisite line of museum quality Judaica, guitar embellishments and is currently working on a fine jewelry merchandising project with Broadway turned Country Entertainer Laura Bell Bundy.


Child of Holocaust Survivors Farkovitz is the youngest of three children born to Deszo and Esther Farkovits

who were coupled shortly after World War II, and is the first child of his family born in the United States. Both of his parents were Holocaust Survivors from Hungary who immigrated while pregnant with Farkovitz to New York City during the Hungarian Revolution.

His father who had owned a trimming shop prior to the war had been married with two children who were murdered by the Nazis. Deszo Farkovits survived the war working in Serbian labor camps cutting down trees. Deszo was raised in Vatz, Hungary outside of Budapest.

Esther, the daughter of a Chassidic Scholar renowned for his Talmudic expertise worked in the family owned Kosher Inn located in Budapest prior to the war and had never married. Taking care of her family after her mother died consumed all of her time and energy. She survived the war in Holland using falsified identification papers with the grace of the Dutch gentiles.

Living in New York presented many challenges to the family and their three children. Emotional scars from their war experiences, the unlikely match except for the circumstance of so many Hungarian Jews dying during the Holocaust and the economic challenges they faced in the United States took their toll. Owners of a trimming store in Brooklyn, Esther worked until her death in 1977. Deszo made Aliya, married a third time and lived out his life in Israel dying in 1988.

Farkovitz’ sister Hindy now lives in Northern New Jersey and his brother Joseph died in 1994. Louis Farkovitz continues to live and create his art in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Liora and her three children from a prior marriage.


JudaicaEver since my apprenticeship as a Goldsmith, I loved creating fine pieces of jewelry that people would enjoy. My designs and style kept evolving, but I never felt that these pieces had any meaningful significance. One day I acquired a small lot of silver spoons which I intended to recycle and use the silver to craft new models. But I got bored with the notion and stared at the spoons for a while. I decided to create a Menorah just for the fun of a whimsical change of pace. I displayed the raw vessels in my showcase, and ended up selling it to one of my fellow jewelry exchange vendors.

It made me think about how he would utter words of prayer to Hashem, a Brucha would be made upon it, songs would be sung, and holy rituals would be preformed, joy and laughter would take place while the glow of light from these spoons would burn. It occurred to me that this is something significant and inspiring. This feeling extended to the Mezzuzot I later created that are blessed when mounted, and kissed when passed. These ritual artifacts are meaningful to me, they are beautiful, fun to make, and will very likely outlive me, leaving a legacy of post Holocaust, American Judaica. This contribution is important to me, I hope my pieces will be a demonstration to Jewish perseverance, spirit and beauty through faith in G-d and humanity.

~ Louis Farkovitz


MezzuzotThe Louis Farkovitz

collection of Mezzuzot includes one design for each of the 12 Tribes of Israel as well as many

others.

Prices range from $250 and up.


Oil Shabbat LampsOne of the most beautiful Louis Farkovitz creations is a series of oil lamps designed for Shabbat. The lamps are usually designed to have one wick representing each family member. Olive oil is poured into a shallow dish and cotton wicks absorb the oil, shining the light of Shabbat for an extended period of time. They are timeless and beautiful. Lamps range in price between $360 and $1800.

Prices range from $350 and up. Custom orders available.


The Remaining WallLouis Farkovitz considers “The Remaining Wall” his personal masterpiece to date both in terms of its artistic execution as well as its emotional and cultural significance. This piece more than any other has served as the inspiration to work together with Holocaust Centers celebrating his Jewish heritage and the survival of members of his own family in Hungary, as well as a memorial to those who were slaughtered.

The menorah contains the phrase “A Miracle Happened” upon this replica of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Eight oil wells and a shammas burn brightly throughout Channukah celebrating the miracle of survival for the Jewish People. Standing 18 inches high and 24 inches wide this sterling silver piece took more than 350 hours to construct over several years. Characterized as a museum quality piece by then Assistant Curator Scott Ruby of the Jewish Museum in New York City more than five years ago when he encouraged Mr. Farkovitz to show his work to the world, its time to shine has finally come.

The piece is currently for sale.


Judaic Jewelry

Prices for jewelry are subject to quantity and price of gold. Prices range from $150 and up.


Contact Information Louis Farkovitz

917-689-3516 [email protected]

Liora Farkovitz [email protected]

http://www.louisfarkovitz.com

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.louisfarkovitz.com/

Louis Farkovitz Judaica Presentation

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