Luxury Judaica, Art and Jewelry: Avi Luvaton

When you walk through the doors of the Avi Luvaton Gallery in the 5-star David Citadel Hotel on King David Street and see the stunning displays of exquisite and unique Judaica, jewelry and textiles, it can be a breathtaking experience. For Luvaton, it’s his life’s work.

“Art has been a life-long hobby,” says the 54-year-old designer. “Since I was a child, I used to do sketches, drawing, and painting. I was the one they asked when doing art in school.”

Luvaton started humbly in the 1980’s with a small studio in the art-rich Old Jaffa and gradually expanded with galleries around Tel Aviv. Then, 14 years ago, he opened his first gallery in Jerusalem at the David Citadel Hotel and five years ago, he opened another across the street in Mamilla Mall. This is the most popular shopping area for well-to-do tourists in search of something uniquely Israeli and Jewish that they can’t find anywhere else.

“[My customers are]people looking for something special,” he says. “Some are collectors; others are looking for high-end pieces as a form of Jewish identity in their homes, to reflect their personalities.

“We sell a lot in New York, Europe. My next thing is to open a gallery in New York or Los Angeles, maybe in Europe.  There is no place [there] for quality Judaica.”

Three decades of hard work have seen not only Luvaton’s business develop, but also his passions.

“Most of my work now is Judaica,” he says. “Jewelry is something I enjoy doing, but my passion is Judaica.”

That fact is evident in his studio in Chutzot Hayotser, below the Old City walls, where they make textiles such as talitot, Torah covers, silver and glass work. The collections reflect his personal evolution in design, color, and style, using different materials.

“Now I am working with a master in Venice because glass fascinates me,” he says of his latest predilection.

“I enjoy art. It is basically my life.”