Ark Dimensions: 130 cm x 130 cm x 280 cm high
Materials: Cherry and wenge

The stark simplicity of this synagogue dictated a composition that bespoke both nobility and restraint. The aron kodesh has two doors which open to almost the entire diameter of the piece. The crown was designed to accommodate hidden lighting. The bimah and flower stands also serve to complement and spotlight the primary piece.

Dimensions: 440 cm x 320 cm high
Materials: Cherry, maple and colored glass

This aron kodesh was commissioned by a synagogue located in the Jerusalem foothills. The carvings on the cherry panels, in fact, depict the hills leading up to The Holy City, which  can just be seen through the windows on the horizon. The congregation wanted to stress their connection to Jerusalem and chose this verse from Psalms. The massive central doors slide on runners to reveal the ark above and a separate storage section with additional wooden doors below.

Dimensions: 80 cm wide x 56 cm x 212 cm high
Materials: Mahogany

This portable Aron Kodesh (Torah ark) was commissioned by the Movement for Progressive Judaism. It was custom designed to be easily disassembled for transport to various functions such as retreats, seminars and conferences. An artistic interpretation of the movement’s logo is carved into the doors.

Dimensions: 220 cm x 320 cm high
Materials: Cherry

This ark was custom designed and created for the synagogue in Moshav Nov, in the Golan. Prior to designing this piece of synagogue furniture Kimchi spent time in the community getting to know the members of the congregation, the two rabbis and the members of the synagogue design and building committee. He also toured the nearby archaeological site Um al-knatir where an ancient synagogue from the Byzantine period has been unearthed and is under restoration. In his design for the ark Kimchi strove to incorporate the threshold motif common to all ancient synagogues in the Golan region. It can be seen as the cross beam which supports the sliding doors. In the middle of the beam he has introduced an additional element, representing the iconic steep ravines of the Golan cutting their way through the landscape towards the Sea of Galilee.

Dimensions: 70 cm wide x 54 cm deep x 125 cm high
Materials: Solid bubinga

This Torah Ark, or Aron Kodesh, was dedicated on the happy occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of a client’s son. The Bar Mitzvah took place on the holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish People. Themes of the holiday were incorporated in the hand-carved details, as was a special dedication in honor of the occasion.

Dimensions: 220 cm wide x 90 cm x 320 cm high
Materials: Cherry, maple and purple heart

This Aron Kodesh was commissioned by a boarding school for underprivileged boys. They come from diverse ethnic back grounds, and difficult family situations. Over time they develop a sense of belonging to the community and come to see their schoolmates as family. This is the essence of the carving on the ark: each individual retaining his or her own identity while contributing to the overall sense of togetherness.

Dimensions: 210 cm wide x 70 cm deep x 225 cm high
Materials: Mahogany

Here is an excellent example of how an old, steel safe can be transformed into a spiritually uplifting Aron Kodesh.

Through creative thinking Kimchi can allow even communities with limited budgets to dramatically upgrade their sanctuary space.

Dimensions: 115 cm x 115 cm x 215 cm high
Materials: Mahogany

This portable Torah ark, or Aron Kodesh, was commissioned for a Jewish summer camp, belonging to the “Noam” movement. The Hebrew word “Noam”, meaining pleasantness, is part of the verse inscribed on the cornice above. It is also incorporated into the hand-carved Tree of Life on the doors, which, incidentally, is in the shape of the youth movement’s logo.

Dimensions: 280 cm wide x 280 cm high
Materials: Mahogany

This Aron Kodesh was designed to adorn a Moroccan synagogue in Dimona, in the south of Israel.
Kimchi interweaved the flowing tree-like forms with a hint of North African design motifs.
In addition to the Aron Kodesh Kimchi designed and crafted an accompanying Bimah as well as a podium to complete the composition.

Dimensions:
Ark: 300 cm wide x 85 cm deep x 250 cm high
Bookcases: 70 cm wide
Materials: Mahogany

This Torah ark is multi-layered with four different depths. The piece juxtaposes different surface treatments to create a rich tapestry of textures. The generous overhang of the cornice adds a sense of awe to those who approach the ark.

Dimensions: 120 cm  x 50 cm x 220 cm high
Materials: Bubunga, wenge and stained glass.

This Torah Ark, or Aron Kodesh, was commissioned by a client who recovered from cancer. She donated the piece as a gesture of thanks to the members of her community who supported her through her illness.

Dimensions: 54 cm x 42 cm  x 70 cm high
Materials: Mahogany, gold plated solid silver

This highly detailed aron kodesh is in fact a miniature. It is actually a functional piece of synagogue furniture, designed to house a 17 cm tall Torah parchment. The ark was commissioned as a gift to a well-known philanthropist. The design for this piece drew its inspiration from a 17th century Italian aron kodesh. The gold plated silver castings depict scenes from the western Wall in Jerusalem and the Tomb of the Fathers in Hebron. The design was done in cooperation with Bier Judaica Inc.

Dimensions: 280 cm x wide x 510 cm high
Materials: Mahogany, LED lighting

This Torah ark was commissioned in memory of a Cohen (man of the Cohenic priestly line). The family members were intent on having this be expressed in the artwork. The three arcs above are inscribed with the priestly blessing, and the carved hands on either side reflect the gesture the Cohenim make during the blessing.

Dimensions: 210 cm wide x 65 cm deep x 215 cm high
Materials: Bubinga

This ark ( Aron Kodesh ) showcases some of the most significant and scenic sites in the Holy City and its environs. Hand-carved panel presents a different interpretation of the iconic locations. This piece of synagogue furniture was commissioned by the Ritz-Carlton luxury hotel, in Herziliya Pituach, Israel.

Dimensions: 140 cm wide x 65 cm deep x 230 cm high
Materials: Mapa burl and maple

This Aron Kodesh was commissioned for the opening of the first ever Synagogue in Kibboutz Sde Boker in the Negev Desert, Israel. Sde Boker is where Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion lived and is buried. This kibboutz is infused with Ben Gurion’s vision for settling the desert and bringing it to bloom. The spiritual reawakening that is taking place there among some of its members adds an extra dimension to the thriving of life in the desert. The inscription carved into the crown cornice is from Psalms: “…my soul thirsteth for Thee…”

Dimensions: 55 cm wide x 42 cm deep x 210 cm high
Materials: Cherry and solid silver

In most cases, the aronot kodesh I create are large and dominant synagogue furniture pieces. This small ark was commissioned by a private collector in Toronto to house a unique Torah scroll. The theme of the piece is the Tree of Life. Each leaf was created by sculpting the form and then cutting out a hollow which was then filled by attaching a plate of hammered solid silver. Silver work executed by Bier Judaica Inc. of Jerusalem, Israel.

Dimensions: 250 cm x 380 cm high
Materials: Cherry and maple

The challenge here was to convert an old and rather nondescript synagogue into an uplifting place of worship by creating new synagogue furniture. Working within the confines of the existing stone structure I designed and created this aron kodesh to maximize the vertical aspect of the composition. The sign above has a verse hand-carved into it. The lectern is adorned with electrical lighting coming through the menorah.

Dimensions: 305 cm wide x 70 cm deep x 320 cm high
Materials: Teak

In this monumental Aron Kodesh Kimchi sought to create a sense of uplifting drama through use of the undulating gap between the two halves of the supporting structure. The flowing form of the gap draws the eye upward towards the heavens. As it ascends it is bisected and juxtaposed by the square Torah cabinet which protrudes towards the front.

Dimensions: 220 cm x 280 cm high
Materials: Cherry and maple

This aron kodesh is made of columns of frame and raised panels, with the sculpted motif on the doors taking center stage. The theme depicted here is Mount Moriah and the heavens above. The verse quoted is taken from Genesis, where Abraham sighted the holy mountain from afar. The verse is hand carved with a chisel-textured backing and recessed lighting.

Dimensions: 110 cm wide x 45 cm deep x 140 cm high
Materials: Cherry

Occasionally one comes across a client who really makes the artist look outside the box. This wall-hung aron kodesh is a case in point. The extreme bend of the contours in the form required use of challenging woodworking techniques. Neither was the sculpted front with the door cut into it a task for the weak of heart. In designing this ark Kimchi strove to create a piece that would invite the viewer to an ongoing dialogue. As one continues to observe the carving more and more birds come out of the woodwork.

Dimensions: 90 cm x 50 cm x 215 cm high
Materials: Maple, mahogany and wenge wood

This aron kodesh was commissioned by the Ritz Carlton hotel in Herziliya Pitouach, Israel. This ark is intended to serve the smaller synagogue for daily worship, while the “Scenes of Jerusalem Ark” he made is used in the larger hall for special occasions. This aron kodesh, being located in a rather confined space, needed to be compact, bright and cheerful. By implementing some of his trade mark positive/negative space design and using mainly a light-toned maple, kimchi was able to keep this synagogue furniture piece both practical and light.