Celebrate Your Judaism
JEWISHJOY.co was founded in 2023 to feature the art of Hamsas of Munkatch and other Judaica creatives.
Hamsas of Munkatch
Hamsas of Munkatch is the design studio of artist Channan Tzvi (Kenny Zablotsky); grounded in the belief that Judaism should be woven into the fabric of daily life. He celebrates the beauty of Jewish amulets such as the Star of David, Hamsa, and Evil Eye; utilizing gold and silver plated jewelry charms on mosaic art and sculptural objects.
Unconventional Judaica
Art & objects you cannot find anywhere else.
Channan Tzvi | Kenny Zablotsky
Kenny, originally from suburban New England, found his artistic calling in the dynamic energy of New York City. His journey in the arts began with a focus on architecture and psychology during his time at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University, from which he graduated in 2008. This foundation was further solidified with a Master's degree in Construction Administration from Columbia University in 2013, shaping his deep understanding of structure and design.
With over 15 years of experience in corporate facilities and luxury retail operations, Kenny made a life-changing decision in 2021 to devote himself to his sobriety, mental health, and spirituality. Seeking a more meaningful life, he turned to art as a way to reconnect with his inner #JewishJoy. After distancing himself from religious Judaism for over 20 years, Kenny yearned to reclaim his Jewish heritage and explore it through a broadly inclusive, artistic lens. In a significant personal moment, he began signing his work under his Hebrew name, Channan Tzvi, a name he hadn't used since his time in yeshiva.
As a true multimedia artist, Channan Tzvi combines a wide range of materials in his creations, prioritizing upcycled, reclaimed, and natural elements whenever possible. His work celebrates both heritage and innovation, blending tradition with contemporary expression. Each piece is a reflection of his vibrant connection to Jewish culture, crafted to fit seamlessly into modern home environments. Channan Tzvi’s art is designed to bring moments of joy into everyday life, infusing spaces with a meaningful Jewish connection that inspires and uplifts whenever viewed or used.
Channan Tzvi | Kenny Zablotsky
Kenny, originally from suburban New England, found his artistic calling in the dynamic energy of New York City. His journey in the arts began with a focus on architecture and psychology during his time at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University, from which he graduated in 2008. This foundation was further solidified with a Master's degree in Construction Administration from Columbia University in 2013, shaping his deep understanding of structure and design.
With over 15 years of experience in corporate facilities and luxury retail operations, Kenny made a life-changing decision in 2021 to devote himself to his sobriety, mental health, and spirituality. Seeking a more meaningful life, he turned to art as a way to reconnect with his inner #JewishJoy. After distancing himself from religious Judaism for over 20 years, Kenny yearned to reclaim his Jewish heritage and explore it through a broadly inclusive, artistic lens. In a significant personal moment, he began signing his work under his Hebrew name, Channan Tzvi, a name he hadn't used since his time in yeshiva.
As a true multimedia artist, Channan Tzvi combines a wide range of materials in his creations, prioritizing upcycled, reclaimed, and natural elements whenever possible. His work celebrates both heritage and innovation, blending tradition with contemporary expression. Each piece is a reflection of his vibrant connection to Jewish culture, crafted to fit seamlessly into modern home environments. Channan Tzvi’s art is designed to bring moments of joy into everyday life, infusing spaces with a meaningful Jewish connection that inspires and uplifts whenever viewed or used.
Geographic Location | Why Munkatch?
MUNKATCH represents the figurative center point between the cities where Kenny’s grandparents lived before the Holocaust in the 1940s.
Munkács is the proper spelling, but Kenny has elected to imagine a town called "Munkatch" - one filled with thriving modern enlightened Jewish life. A town where Hasidism, Zionism, artistic expression and inclusion, and an appreciation for nature along the Danube River exist harmoniously.
- Lida, Belarus
- Vasilishok, Belarus
- Zelem, Austria
- Sighet, Hungary
- Slotfina, Hungary
What might have been? What once was?
What would it look like today?
Geographic Location | Why Munkatch?
MUNKATCH represents the figurative center point between the cities where Kenny’s grandparents lived before the Holocaust in the 1940s.
Munkács is the proper spelling, but Kenny has elected to imagine a town called "Munkatch" - one filled with thriving modern enlightened Jewish life. A town where Hasidism, Zionism, artistic expression and inclusion, and an appreciation for nature along the Danube River exist harmoniously.
- Lida, Belarus
- Vasilishok, Belarus
- Zelem, Austria
- Sighet, Hungary
- Slotfina, Hungary
What might have been? What once was?
What would it look like today?
Symbolism | Why Hamsas?
Hamsas of Munkatch exists to express the exploration of a modern connection to an ancient past. For our founder, the celebration of Judaism is most comfortable and proudly represented by the HAMSA hand symbol.
Lacking any specific religious connotation, but widely represented in art throughout many generations, the HAMSA inspires hospitality and protection; welcoming inclusivity of many beliefs and observances, a markedly different approach to Judaism than Kenny grew up experiencing.
Symbolism | Why Hamsas?
Hamsas of Munkatch exists to express the exploration of a modern connection to an ancient past. For our founder, the celebration of Judaism is most comfortable and proudly represented by the HAMSA hand symbol.
Lacking any specific religious connotation, but widely represented in art throughout many generations, the HAMSA inspires hospitality and protection; welcoming inclusivity of many beliefs and observances, a markedly different approach to Judaism than Kenny grew up experiencing.
Tradition | Family Stories
Culture and heritage is unique to each family lineage and experience. Jewish customs vary from region to region, but at the root, we share the same culture.
Through his art, Channan Tzvi is uncovering memories of family traditions and working to validate family folklore. “I aim to create objects that encourage and facilitate individuals to spark their own familial memories and discover #JewishJoy via their own experiences.”
Tradition | Family Stories
Culture and heritage is unique to each family lineage and experience. Jewish customs vary from region to region, but at the root, we share the same culture.
Through his art, Channan Tzvi is uncovering memories of family traditions and working to validate family folklore. “I aim to create objects that encourage and facilitate individuals to spark their own familial memories and discover #JewishJoy via their own experiences.”
Channan Tzvi (Kenny)
The journey of a troubled artist to reclaim his Jewish identity
Mental Health
What started as a way to process childhood trauma from sexual assault in religious institutions evolved into a powerful meditative practice for attaining calm and insight.
Heritage
Exploring Judaism through historical art references provided a new way to connect with ancestral culture.
Creative Expression
For nearly two decades, Kenny worked behind the scenes on project management. Now, the ability to explore his creativity freely is truly exhilarating.
Growth
Sobriety led Kenny back to Connecticut, where he was raised. Building this art career and learning something entirely new has been both challenging and rewarding.
SIGHETU & SOLOTVYNO
My Saba Jack often shared the story of how his cousins, Elie Wiesel and my Gramps, Hy Weisel, lived across the river from each other. I never thought to look at a map of Romania until I started my artistic journey, but once I did, the geography came alive in my mind, vividly illustrating the two towns and bringing his stories to life.
After the Holocaust, my grandparents focused on building and embracing their new lives in America, so we didn’t hear much about their life in Eastern Europe. Creating art in my imagined world of "Munkatch" has provided me with a comfortable space to explore and trace our Jewish traditions and heritage that have deep ancestral roots from before World War II.
-Kenny
Hamsas of Munkatch
USE OF CHARMS
The Hamsa, Evil Eye, and Star of David amulets are ancient symbols of protection and prosperity; often featured in the mosaic artwork of Hamsas of Munkatch.
These charms embody the belief that every person, much like each charm, possesses inherent beauty and worth. Though distinct individually, when these elements unite, they create a greater collective force, symbolizing the strength of community in Jewish culture
The jewelry-grade charms, often gold or silver-plated, are meticulously hand-applied by the artist using adhesive and sealed with clear epoxy resin for long-lasting durability, preventing tarnishing and maintaining their enduring beauty.
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