Interview with Moshe Chaim Gress
Location: Tsfat, Israel
“I've been sculpting beeswax candle sculptures in the Land of Milk and Honey for over 18 years, using unique techniques that I developed myself, and am still learning more every day.” --Moshe Chaim Gress
Moshe Chaim Gress is a graphic designer for the Ascent of Tsfat, “ a Jewish retreat and study center offering an experience of Jewish lifestyle and Jewish mysticism primarily for Jews with limited religious background.” Born in the United States, he made aliyah to Israel where he studied prayer and petition, meditation, and Kaballah . He has drawn and designed cartoons, posters, and brochures.
Gress also creates intricately-sculpted beeswax sculptures which feature Biblical and other Jewish subjects such as Noah’s Ark, a soldier praying at the Western Wall, a chess set of Jewish figures, a model of the Temple, and a young David holding Goliath’s severed head. The sculptures are an attraction at the Safed Candles shop in Tsfat where he adds new sculptures every few months. Gress is also the illustrator and co-author of a book for children of all ages, Journeys, published by Marwood Press which publishes Jewish, family oriented comics, comic books, and children's books.
I met and interviewed Moshe at his home in Tsfat. I found him finishing a game of Dungeons and Dragons with the neighborhood children. It turned out that this game is an ongoing tournament which Moshe, his family, and enthusiastic neighbors participate in once a week. Moshe’s Jewish identity is important to his subject matter and themes.