The Quilters
The volunteer quilters who participated as individuals in this project are all members of the Accent Quilters' Guild of Herzliya, Israel, established for Israel's English-speaking quilters. Members of the Accent Guild may also hold membership of the Israel Quilting Association (IQA).
Zvia Strahilevitz-Klein
Zvia was born in Israel and lived for a number of years in Florida, where she was introduced to the art of quilting. She joined the Gold Coast Quilters Guild (GCQG) in Boca Raton, eventually becoming its President in 1997. On her return to Israel in 2000 she joined the Accent Quilters in Herzliya of which she served a term as Chairperson. Zvia has participated in many international exhibitions and competitions and won major awards. As one of Israel’s most prolific quilters, she is also much sought-after as a teacher of the art.
Marlyn Butchins
Marlyn started quilting in 2003 (studying under Zvia Klein) and immediately fell in love with the craft. One of her first major projects together with her friend and fellow quilter Dina Lipsky, was making a quilt as a wedding gift for a family member. They also collaborated in making a “Big Hug Rug” quilt for a close friend who was involved in a serious motor accident. She has also made a number of art quilts, bed cover quilts and quilts for family gifts. Originally from Zimbabwe, she lived a number of years in South Africa and came to Israel with her husband, three children and her sister Gail in 1987. They were followed some years later by their mother Sylvia Bernstein, who was killed with Gail in the Dizengoff Street bombing.
Terry Mowszowski
Terry started sewing in 1977 and enjoyed making craft items. She discovered patchwork which she taught herself from books and magzines. Her quilting skills were learned from a workshop in freehand machine embroidery in 1991. Terry came to Israel from South Africa with her husband and two children in 1992 and lives in Ra’anana. In 1994 she was invited to be the chair of the Accent quilters group and held this position for 2 years. In 1995 she started teaching and particularly enjoys teaching beginners. She has attended a number of workshops overseas with well known quilters. She is also well known for her hand-made teddy bears.
Shulamit Ron
Shulamit was born in Kishinev in the former Soviet Union and came to Israel when she was 10. She studied Architecture and Town Planning at the Technion (the Israeli Institute of Technology) and served in the Israeli army as a construction officer. While working in Israel’s high-tech industry she started quilting as a hobby. She received several commissions for Jewish ceremonial objects, such as Ark curtains and Torah mantles. Shulamit served on the board of the IQA with a term as chairperson. She teaches quilt making and fabric dyeing. Her quilt, Bazaar Rhythm, was a finalist in the American Quilter’s Association show in Paducah, Kentucky in 2003.
Ramona Bachmann
Ramona was born in India, grew up in Israel, and married her husband from Denmark, where they settled for a time and raised a family. They returned to Israel in 1991 and live in Ra’anana. As a teacher in the Danish Jewish School in Denmark she participated in sewing costumes and clothes for many a creative project for school plays and Purim parties. Ramona has always had a "magnet" for the sewing needle and loved to sew. As a child in India she earned a few pennies" during school vacations helping a tailor with hand sewing. Now quilting has taken over, and although it is still a new hobby, it takes most of her spare time. Ramona is also an accomplished cook and has published a critically acclaimed book on Kosher cooking.
Tamaris Pardo
Tamaris has lived in Israel for 36 years, coming originally from the United States. Her family runs the Pardo Nursery at Shdema. Tamaris started studying quilting with Miri Cook in 1995, with whom she did a number of courses. She has continued taking courses on the internet from Quilt University and participates in a number of quilt lists.
Sharon Bernstein
Sharon is the daughter-in-law of Sylvia Bernstein and sister-in-law of Gail Belkin. She was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, and made Aliyah with her family 20 years ago. Sharon has always dabbled in artistic pursuits, and in recent years has enjoyed painting on wood. She is also an accomplished calligrapher, works with ceramics and makes greetings cards. She lives in Hod Hasharon.