Yakov Hadad Gallery Safed

Ya’akov Hadad was born and raised in [[Safed|Tzfat’s]] Artist Quarter. As a child he wandered around [[Galleries-and-Artists-of-Safed|Safed’s famous galleries]] of the ‘60s and was often called upon to assist the artists with chores and small jobs. He was especially close to one of the best-known artists of the era, [[Moshe Castel]], who maintained a small home and gallery in the Quarter. Castel’s family originated in Castile, Spain, and they immigrated to Israel in the 16th century. Castel himself was born in Hebron. Throughout his life Castel maintained a close relationship with Tzfat, helping to establish the Artist Quarter and staying in Tzfat during the summer months to live and work. Toward the end of his life Castel sold his house and gallery to Ya’akov Hadad with the provision that Ya’akov renovate the property and maintain the gallery as a venue dedicated to Tzfat’s art and its founding artists.

Ya’akov has already renovated parts of the gallery and is in the process of renovating other sections. He exhibits original paintings of Tzfat’s founding artists including Yitzhak Amitai, Moshe Rosenthalis, Rolly Sheffer, Aliza Naor, [[Frenel Frankel Gallery Safed|Yitzhak Frenel-Frankel]], Chava Merzer, Shimshon Holtzman, Chaya Schwartz and, of course, [[Moshe Castel]]. The gallery is small but visitors can wander into the courtyard outside the gallery and view some of the wooden doors which Ya’akov has painted with the inspiration of the artist Rolly Sheffer.