A Quiet Moment with Clay: A Visit to Our Studio in Avshalom
Sometimes, a journey to a new place begins without knowing exactly what to expect.
Recently, a guest visited our ceramic studio in Avshalom, with an unusual personal challenge: to slow down, sit with a piece of clay, and simply create.
At first, it almost sounded too simple. No skydiving, no extreme sports, no adrenaline. Just sitting quietly and working with his hands.
But that turned out to be the real challenge - slowing down.
He arrived without a plan, so Yevgenia suggested making a mug. Slowly, a shapeless piece of clay began to turn into something real.
The mug stayed at the studio for its first firing. Later, he will return to decorate and glaze it before it goes through a second firing.
What began as a single visit unexpectedly became a reason to come back.
Before arriving at the studio, he stopped at his former military base, located only a few minutes from Avshalom. The visit brought back memories, thoughts and emotions connected to the past years and to October 7.
Then he sat down with the clay.
His hands were busy. His attention shifted to the smallest details - where to press, what to adjust, and how to gradually transform a formless piece of clay into something tangible.
And for a while, the constant noise in his mind became quiet.
Working with clay can become a form of meditation.
During the visit, we spoke about October 7, volunteering, leaving the area and eventually returning home. We also spoke about the studio - a place that originally grew out of a love for ceramics and later became, for many people, a space for creativity, calm and connection.
This is not necessarily a story about grand or dramatic heroism.
It is a story about creating something new in a place that has experienced so much.
About bringing life back to a place that has known a great deal of pain.
Sometimes quite literally - with your own hands, from a piece of clay.
If you have never worked with clay before, you are welcome to visit us for one session or several.
You can come with a clear idea of what you would like to make.
Or you can arrive with no idea at all.
You may leave with something you created with your own hands.
And perhaps with a slightly quieter mind.
This article was inspired by a Facebook post written by a guest after visiting our studio in Avshalom.
Original post by: Evgeny Fridkin
Read the original post on Facebook