The short film Studio Visit with Avraham Cornfeld is available to watch at the top of the page.
Avraham Cornfeld is a remarkable figure in the world of design, a typographer, graphic designer, and entrepreneur who has taken the sacred Hebrew letter to new artistic heights. Having grown up in the ultra-Orthodox education system, Cornfeld developed a deep affinity for the Hebrew letter, a passion that continues to shape his creative journey. With meticulous attention to detail, he crafts Hebrew letters with sophistication, breathing life into them and bestowing upon each a unique personality.
Within Jewish philosophy, Hebrew letters are regarded as vessels of divine energy, possessing profound spiritual significance. These letters are considered the very building blocks of creation, transcending their linguistic function to embody deep symbolic meaning. In the realm of ultra-Orthodox Jewish education, the study and understanding of Hebrew letters hold immense importance, serving as conduits for connecting with the divine and attaining heightened spiritual awareness.
It is within this rich backdrop that the tradition of “licking the letters” emerges. This practice, common in ultra-Orthodox Jewish education, introduces young children to the Hebrew letters through the sensory experience of tasting honey or another sweet substance. Known as “Talmud Torah b’dvash” in Hebrew, or “Torah study with honey,” this tradition aims to infuse the learning process with enjoyment and sweetness. By engaging the senses, particularly taste, children develop a positive association with the study of Hebrew letters and the Torah, fostering engagement and excitement as they embark on their linguistic and spiritual journey.
Cornfeld’s passion for typography and Hebrew letters led him to establish the AlefAlefAlef initiative, a groundbreaking platform that showcases and sells typography creations. Through this platform, designers collaborate to bring typography to the forefront of visual communication in Israel. The independent graphic and typography designs featured in AlefAlefAlef are inspired by diverse sources, including architecture, mythology, children’s books, and functionality. Each typeface crafted carries a unique narrative and purpose, whether to inspire imagination or serve as legible body text.
Alongside his typographic pursuits, Cornfeld co-founded Untitled online magazine with Talya Seligman. This collective magazine serves as a platform for creators in various design and art mediums, encompassing photography, graphic design, industrial design, fine arts, architecture, and more. Within its pages, Untitled showcases articles and works that encapsulate the vibrancy and creativity of these artistic domains.
In the attached video, Cornfeld provides a captivating glimpse into the world of letter design, highlighting the inherent creativity and innovation that can be found even within the realm of Hebrew letters. Through his work, Cornfeld proves that typography knows no boundaries and that Hebrew letters, too, can be vehicles for groundbreaking design.
With his unwavering passion for typography and the sacred Hebrew letter, Avraham Cornfeld continues to inspire and challenge the artistic landscape, bringing new dimensions and possibilities to the intersection of design, language, and spirituality.
The featured video Studio Visit with Avraham Cornfeld is part of the web series Yotsrim by Shachaf Dekel. Yotsrim includes five seasons and 73 episodes. The series won the Best Documentary award at the NYC Web Fest in 2019.
