Tobi Kahn is KIVUNIM’s artist-in-residence. Tobi, a distinguished American artist, is our “Director of Seeing,” making it possible for our students to explore and appreciate a visual way of knowing: through museums, architecture, street scenes, encounters with people around the globe, and, of course, nature. By means of his commitment to the visual arts, Tobi creates a deeper and more expansive experience for participants in KIVUNIM, both students and staff/faculty.

On May 17, 2007, Tobi became only the second artist (after Jacques Lipschitz, in 1965), to be awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Hebrew Letters, honoris causa) by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Tobi is the curator (with student assistants) of the annual KIVUNIM exhibition. Our exhibitions have been featured at Beit Hatefusoth, the Museum of the Diaspora in Tel Aviv; at the JCC in Manhattan in New York City and most recently at the ICC of Jerusalem. These collections of the photographs and writings of KIVUNIM students are unique expressions of the sense of world consciousness developed by our students during their journeys throughout the year. In January, 2010 we published a 90-page catalogue. KIVUNIM is very privileged to be able to illuminate our students’ learning with Tobi’s insight, talent and wisdom. Tobi is married to the author, Nessa Rappaport and has 3 children.