Temple Beth Israel is proud to have world-renown artist -- Harvey Kaplan; a.k.a. "Habiru" -- as one of its members!   Harvey's Judaic marble-etchings, found on six of the seven continents of the world, also beautifully adorn our sanctuaries and some of his art is now also being made available through our Gift Shop to help you adorn your homes and offices!   

The following article by Harvey's daughter provides further information and insight about this special individual ...and the article is followed by photographic examples of Harvey's talent.

The Works of Habiru

by Ellen Kessler

Habiru’s career as an artist, philanthropist, and teacher of ancient scripture has been inspiring for many. Since 1966, the artwork of Habiru has provoked high emotions in those who have viewed his work, and at an extreme, there have been a few people so moved that they contemplated and later completed conversion to Judaism and a new spiritual way of life. Through Habiru’s 25 years of exposure at the well-known Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach, California, people of diverse religions and origins have had the pleasure to enjoy and collect his work.

Spanning Habiru’s 38-year odyssey as scholar and artist, he inscribed thousands of meaningful and provocative sayings from a host of scriptures, including Talmud, Song of Songs, Ethics of Our Fathers, Kabalah, Torah, Yiddish sayings, and more. To study his body of work is like a living education in the philosophy of the Jewish people. The works have focused on the ethics of being a good human, a thoughtful parent, a reverent Jew, and being a participant in a true and meaningful life.

Habiru’s artwork and script matured from tenuous strokes to masterful calligraphy and illumination rivaling that of a Sofer (Torah scribe). The artist’s lust for study and discovery burned strong and bright and spilled over into many related areas. Habiru wrote an interesting booklet entitled "Letters Produce Wisdom: The History of our Alphabet." The scholar chose to teach a selection of children (including his own) their Torah and Haftorah portions, emphasizing the ancient musical trope inscribed within the original texts.

In addition, Habiru has taught mini-courses in the art of calligraphy, lectured on the origins of the alphabet and ancient scriptures, and has studied onomatology (the origins of names) focusing on Hebrew. Habiru has helped many people discover their Hebrew name and/or understand its origins. Habiru has also completed a manuscript draft about the origins of artwork.

Combined with his dedication to scripture and art history, Habiru always dedicated a substantial amount of time to his Jewish community and his religion’s rituals. He was a founding father of his temple in Mission Viejo, California -- acting as Ritual Chairman, Gabbai, Lay Rabbi, and Community Liaison.  Annually, a portion of Habiru’s artwork was donated as fundraisers for whatever organization approached him.

It is interesting to note that Habiru has participated in the daily ritual of wearing tefillin since the death of his father in 1975. He wears his elder’s tefillin, which dates back over 100 years. He has made it his commitment to say Kaddish for those who do not have anyone else to say the prayers for them. Habiru’s prayer book holds a list of over 34 memorialized friends and family members, including his own son, Gregg, of blessed memory.

In Habiru’s semi-retirement, currently at the age of 84, he has stayed extremely active and engaged by supporting and leading Yiddish Vinkels (groups involved in studying and reviving the Yiddish language). He also has been a participant in Yiddish folk singing groups. And finally, each week he goes to his community’s craft room and can be found bent over his latest marble Hebrew inscription.

One of the lessons to be learned here is that a life dedicated to your passion is the best anti-aging antidote to be found. Combine passion with the pursuit of knowledge, sharing and living a spiritual life, and the "Ruach" (spirit) is unrivaled and contagious.

It is with this gift of contagious enthusiasm and "Ruach" that I dedicate this retrospective to my dad, Habiru, Harvey H. Kaplan. Yes, Dad, I’ve been listening!

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Examples of Habiru's art and talent...

Photographic Print Donations in Honor of TBI's New Building

Additional Images of Habiru's Works (Click Below)