Batya's Safed Pottery Experience
"Listen to the clay," Batya Erdstein tells her students. A cluster of seven and eight-year-olds hover around her pottery wheel, captivated as they watch a once-shapeless hunk of earth metamorphose into an elegant flower vase. As each child gets a chance to try, every one reacts differently: at first, one is squeamish, another impatient, yet another unconfident. Batya carefully guides each student, and, as the class progresses, each overcomes his particular challenges, building self-esteem, patience, humility, and creative expression, as well as healthy group dynamics. "The medium of ceramics is such an incredible tool- as much as we create, we grow and flourish as individuals, as well," she says.
Participating in the Art of Safed
In addition to crafting her own unique ceramic art, Batya teaches both groups and individuals in her beautiful professional studio at her ancient stone house in the heart of Safed's Old City, where she lives with her husband and children. From Bar-Mitzvah celebrations and family retreats to tour groups and company get-aways, people from around the world have enjoyed Batya's Safed Pottery Experience, one of Safed's recently discovered secrets.
Originally from California, Batya, a trained nurse and women's health specialist, realized pottery's potential as she developed her ceramic skills. "Clay is a wonderful teacher. It gives each person a reflection of who they are and how they are empowered to develop themselves. It’s wonderful to see groups, especially multi-generational families, interact, strengthening family dynamics while allowing for personal growth at the same time."
Visitors will find that the Safed Pottery Experience is one of the few hands-on activities that the town presently offers. Besides the ancient pottery shards scattered throughout this historic city, most tourists looking for something to do wouldn't automatically associate Safed with doing ceramics. Batya thinks otherwise: "Safed has always been about improving ourselves, each striving to achieve their unique potential... Earth is the most basic of the elements. I think that's why everyone can relate to it. Professionals, artists, kids, people with developmental challenges...everybody can grow and have fun together with the clay, using it as a means to express their creative potential."
Contact Us
While locals can enjoy courses lasting a few months at a time, visitors to Safed can arrange private sessions of one to two hours. Batya's pottery works are also on display and can be purchased at her home. She often works with her husband, Baruch, an experienced tour guide in Safed. To arrange a session or for more information, call 052-344-5019, or contact baruch@safedexperience.com
