Jewish Artists on Jewish Art Profile #3
Kenny Zablotsky
Kenneth Zablotsky is the creative mastermind behind Hamsas of Munkatch and JEWISHJOY.co. Kenny’s multimedia artistic method is unique: he builds three-dimensional objects covered in mosaics of Jewish charms and amulets, such as metal hamsas, evil eyes, and Jewish stars. Hamsas of Munkatch products range from tchotchkes (as Kenny affectionately calls them) such as coasters, tabletop boxes, and jewelry, to larger sculptural items like menorahs.
Kenny creates beautiful Jewish objects laden with symbols. He describes his artwork as “unconventional Judaica” that is “a bissle ungepatchka” (a little over the top). In addition to selling his own designs through the Jewish Joy webstore, Kenny also features the work of other Jewish artists, particularly those from underrepresented Jewish communities in Eastern Europe.
Menora, Kenneth Zablotsky
A grandson of Holocaust survivors, Kenny grew up in an Orthodox community in New England. The name of his Hamsas of Munkatch brand references a geographic intersectional point between cities in Hungary, Belarus, and Austria, where his grandparents lived before the Holocaust. Kenny is drawn to the hamsa symbol because it represents protection and hospitality and, for him, embodies a spirit of inclusivity that he sees as ideal for Jewish culture.
Kenny’s foray into creating art began as a kind of exposure therapy after distancing himself from Judaism in response to trauma he experienced in Jewish school. In 2021, he left the corporate world to focus on his mental health and sobriety, which launched his journey of connecting to his Jewishness through creative expression. This transformation also led Kenny to redefine his professional identity. He shared with me that making art has been profoundly joyful and healing for him:
“My therapist suggested that I try to create a piece of art about my emotions and I found a vintage 1950s school chair and started gluing hamsa charms onto it. That’s where this all began. Over time, the art form turned my pain into something meditative and healing - and I haven’t stopped creating for the past four years.”
Although it began as a therapeutic exercise, art has since become a meaningful way for Kenny to reconnect with Judaism, after years of being disconnected from religious practice.
“Hamsa Vases” Kenny Zablotsky
What inspires Kenny’s work? Some of Kenny’s Jewish cultural inspiration is drawn from the aesthetic of his bubbe’s tchotchkes and the old family photographs and stories he was surrounded by. Visually, his love for the built environment is evident in his work, tracing back to his undergraduate education in architecture at New York University, followed by a Master's degree in Construction Administration from Columbia University.
When Kenny launched Hamsas of Munkatch, he did not plan on creating Jewish ritual objects. His intention was to focus on celebrating Jewish cultural expression. However, customer requests for Judaica led him to embrace that direction as a way to connect more deeply with others:
“I’ve found myself pulled towards creating certain items over the past year like menorahs, mezuzahs, and shabbat table items. These objects have happy memories from my childhood and I value the heritage and traditions that they represent.”
The artist wearing his designs.