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Stained glass windows made by Malka in the Beit Shean Guesthouse
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The various reforms in the kibbutz movement in general, and in the kibbutzim of the Beit Shean Valley in particular, have made it necessary for many kibbutz members to find independent sources of income. In the present economic situation in Israel, however, it is not easy to find work, so many kibbutz members looking for employment have consulted with MATI Beit Shean about how to establish a small business of their own. A year ago, we joined forces with an international organization that promotes economic empowerment and independence for women. Together, we built a program for the women of the valley's kibbutzim. Dozens of women took part in the program, and many of them have established a small business based on their skills and hobbies. The most prominent of this group of women (for now) is Malka Levi from Kibbutz Tirat Tzvi. A glass artist, Malka established a stained glass business by the name of "Collage" after taking the course, based on a hobby she developed in the recent years.
Stained glass is an ancient art form popular around the world since the Middle Ages. Stained glass uses a variety of techniques to color panes of glass. Two main groups of products use stained glass:
Practical art - this includes a very wide range of products.
Decorative glass for buildings - windows, doors, etc.
Until Malka came to MATI Beit Shean, she only produced practical art, an area with a tremendous amount of competition and, as a result, low prices. We encouraged Malka to work hard to receive her first job of designing large windows for a public building. Beyond the monetary issue of a large job, we realized the exposure would be significant and could open doors for additional work. We helped her analyze potential clientele for her commercial/creative venture, we considered ways for her to market and make sales to institutions and organizations, and we carried out a marketing pilot by giving a price quote to the synagogue in one of the settlements in the valley. Even before the marketing pilot resulted in a work order, Malka received her first significant orders from other clients.
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Malka at her workshop
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Today, Malka's work graces the windows of a Beit Shean synagogue, a synagogue in Moshav Revaya, and many private homes in the region. Her crowning achievement, however, has been the twelve breathtaking stained glass windows she designed for the front of the new guesthouse in Beit Shean. These windows include scenes of the seven species for which the Land of Israel is noted, and which particularly bless the Beit Shean Valley. The guesthouse structure, which is the most impressive building in the modern city of Beit Shean, is also the newest and most modern of Israel's guesthouses. The inclusion of Malka's work in the architectural design of the building will provide her with a good deal of exposure.
Already in the recent weeks, in light of the guesthouse exposure, Malka has been in contact with seven other synagogues from around the country that are interested in Collage's stained glass art.
Sivan 5763 - June 2003