Yair Emanuel

{{Infobox
|title =  Yair Emanuel
|image        = [[File:Space holder.jpg|215px|alt=Yair Emanuel]]
|header1 = Born:
|data2  = Kibbutz Shaalvim
|header3 = Lives:
|data4  = Jerusalem
|header5 = Jewish Artist:
|data6   = Commercial Judaica Designer
|header7 = Description:
|data8   = Produces popular contemporary Judaica working in decorated wood and textiles, especially painted silk

}}
Yair Emanuel is a contemporary Judaica artist designer who studied at Bezelel Art Academy and now works from his [[Emanuel Judaica Art Studio|studio workshop]] in Jerusalem. His work is so popular all over the world that it has even been faked.

==Background==
Yair Emanuel was born on Kibbutz Shaalvim, a religious kibbutz in central Israel.  His orthodox family later moved to Jerusalem where he grew up. Even though he now has a more liberal perspective on Judaism, Yair’s religious upbringing still influences his art and design.

==Themes==
Emanuel went to the prestigious ''Bezelel Academy of Art and Design'' to study art.  Since leaving art school he has developed his own style, working mostly in wood and textiles, especially silk. As well as painting on raw silk, he uses appliqué and embroidery to produce the effects he wants. He uses Jewish themes such as the biblical seven species:- wheat, barley, grapes, olives, figs, pomegranates and dates as inspiration for his designs. He is of course also influenced by the fact that he lives in Jerusalem, the city of gold, the holy city.

==Wood and Textiles==
Yair designs both ritual religious objects in decorated painted wood such as Chanukah menorahs, Havdalah sets, Challah boards and Kiddush cups, in addition to regular tableware like bowls and napkin rings. His textiles, like his silk tallits, kippot in a variety of fabrics, and decorative tapestry wall hangings have made him extremely popular. Emanuel is now considered one of the foremost Judaic contemporary designers.

==Illegal Copies==
In fact his work is so popular that it has been faked. In 2006 the Jerusalem High Court awarded Emanuel a substantial award, 140,000 sheckles ($35,000 approx) against a company that copied 27 of his Judaica items, and thereby stealing his intellectual property rights.

==Studio Workshop==
Yair Emanuel is a designer and creative artist producing excellent modern usable Judaica from his studio workshop in Jerusalem. According to tradition, a Jew is supposed to donate money to charity (tzedakah) and contribute to society. One of the ways Emanuel does this is by employing a variety of people in his workshop to help produce his unique Judaic designs who might otherwise find it difficult to find suitable employment. Many of these workers in his studio have mental disabilities or are new immigrants to Israel. Yair also gives a percentage of his profits to charity (tzedakah).

As well as running his successful commercial business from his Jerusalem studio, Emanuel also has an online presence so that people from all over the world can see and buy his popular designs and know they are getting the real thing. 

Yair Emanuel lives and works in Jerusalem.

[[Category:Jewish Art]]