Menashe Kadishman (1932 – 2015) was a well-known Israeli painter and sculptor, whose artworks are present in many outdoor public locations and galleries in Israel. The Akedah is a prominent theme in his works. He is famous for, among other things, his thousands of paintings and sculptures of sheep. This particular work stands in the Tel Aviv University library plaza. Kadishman’s website includes images of and articles about his work.

Suggested activity: Study the sculpture together. Ask the students what they see in this work. Are there any similarities between Kadishman’s sculpture and Amichai’s poem (resource #5, above)? What do they think about Kadishman’s choice to work with steel? Is the animal depicted a sheep or a ram? Does it make a difference? And what might be the significance of the sculpture’s setting, in a plaza outside Tel Aviv University’s library?