The Artist
Toward the end of high school, Jonathan Kremer turned from idle doodling to purposeful calligraphy. Lettering and illumination classes in New York City, private calligraphy lessons in Jerusalem and practice helped him to become one of the leading Hebrew calligraphers in the United States. Decorated ketubot and other custom commissions were among the artworks to which he applied his rich Judaic background, artistic skills and imagination.
 Jonathan earned an MFA in graphic design at Tyler School of Art, Temple University. For his Master's thesis, he hand lettered and illustrated the biblical book "Eicha (Lamentations)" and later hand printed a limited edition of the work. Subsequently, he provided graphic design services to many Philadelphia-area Jewish nonprofits.
While working as a designer, Jonathan kept at his Judaic artwork. As he was drawn to create new art, he also was being pulled in another direction; Jonathan's desire to learn more about Judaism and to share what he loves about religious observance has led him to study for the rabbinate at The Jewish Theological Seminary. His art is enriched by his learning. Jonathan leads services, leins Torah, offers divrei Torah, divrei tefillah and kavvanot. He composes new melodies for liturgical texts, sings with an a cappella group and plays folk guitar. Nearly every summer, he plants tomatoes hopefully, even though what accounts for his green thumb is usually watercolor or ink. |
