Moshe Braun
Combining his love of art with his rich Jewish heritage, Moshe Braun creates paperucts, unique paintings and illuminated manuscripts based on Jewish texts and prayers. His varied works include illuminated ketubot (Jewish marriage documents), Tefillot (prayers) and Brachot (blessings). Moshe Braun takes the beauty and meaningfulness of Judaism and the Land of Israel and gives the viewer a feeling and an appreciation of it. He is also trained as a sofer (Jewish scribe) and writes Kosher scrolls.
Media and technique Using a variety of techniques and media such as pen and ink, watercolor, gouache and paper cutting, he inspires the viewer to embrace and revere Jewish texts and prayers. The intricate papercuts incorporate Jerusalem architecture, both historic and contemporary synagogue architecture, floral and vineyard themes. Often, he creates a piece that is fashioned with both papercut and watercolor. His watercolors are rich colorful scenes from Israel, inspired from classic Jewish sources. Moshe Braun extensively delves into Jewish texts, creating a piece that is rich in both content and style. Pen and ink calligraphy complete the work.
One of Moshe Braun’s greatest achievements in the area of sofrut is his illuminated Megillat Esther. A fully functional kosher megillah, it depicts scenes from the Biblical account.
Moshe Braun studied fine art at the University of Michigan, earning a BFA with a concentration in industrial design. He later continued his professional training in Jerusalem, becoming certified as a sofer. The International Society for the Integrity of Torah Scrolls, Tefillin and Mezzuzot, otherwise know as Va’ad Mishmeret Sta’am of Jerusalem, presents the certification.
Moshe Braun has exhibited his work both in the United States and in Israel. His clients include private patrons as well as organizations. Among then are The Bostoner Rebbe Shlita Grand Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Horowitz, David Shapell College of Jewish Studies/Yeshivat Darche Noam, Midreshet Rachel College of Jewish Studies for Women, Mayanot Institute for Jewish Studies, Shalvah/Israel Association to Relieve The Handicapped Child and Family, and Yeshivat Chochmot Shlomo of Jerusalem. Moshe Braun’s works are in collections in Jerusalem, London, Manchester, New York, Silver Spring, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Milwaukee and Los Angeles. Moshe Braun has lectured about his art and also about the field of sofrut to schools and groups in various areas including Warsaw, Poland.
Moshe Braun lives with his wife Marla and their children in Beit Shemesh, Israel.
