Industrialist Stef Wertheimer, founder of ISCAR, a precision tool company with exports in excess of $300 million a year conceived The Open Museum. He wanted to create a place that promotes creativity in all its forms. Tefen is just one of four such industrial parks in Israel, the others are located in nearby Lavon, Tel-Hai (further north) and Omer, near Beersheba, in the south. Not only is Tefen the site of Wertheimer’s own company, but also over 20 other export oriented companies. Wertheimer is not a proponent of Israeli high-tech, but rather of economic independence that will be achieved via exports.

The outdoor sculpture garden houses art works by a variety of Israeli artists, including: Itzhak Danzinger, Ilan Averbuch, Michael Gross, Micha Ullman, Rudi Lehmann and Igael Tumarkin to name a few. The sculptures are made of stone, bronze, iron, wood, marble, clay and steel as well as combinations of some of these materials. Some are large-scale works, others are small and whimsical many are modern.

On Israel’s 50th anniversary, Wertheimer wrote in the catalog that accompanied the exhibition, Israeli Sculpture 1948 –1998 Milestones, “We believe that environmental sculpture is not only sculpture that integrates with the environment: real environmental sculpture creates an environment and has an influence upon it. Today, the environment that is named ‘Tefen’ is a collaborative creation by both industry and art, to the point that we cannot separate between them."

Indoor galleries at the museum provide changing exhibitions of both sculptures and paintings. On site there is also a small Museum for German-Speaking Jewry – which depicts their history and the contributions that the “Yekkes” made in building the new country and its growing industry.

Those with an interest in antique cars can also visit the special collection of cars that shows the development of the car industry.

You can also visit some of the companies located in the park like , Nahariya Glass and Elana’s Spice Blends and Herbs that have on-site shops.

The Open Museum is located at the Tefen Industrial Park.

Directions: Route # 4 north, until Nahariya. From there continue on Route # 89 toward Ma’a lot. Continue past the main entrance to Ma’a lot, until you reach the right hand turn-off to Kfar Vradim. Do not turn into Kfar Vradim, but continue on the road until you see the signs for the Tefen Industrial Park.

04/987-2977, 04/987-2022 TEL
04/987-2861, 04/987-2940 FAX

Web sites: Open Museums
Sculpture - Tefen Visiting Hours: Sunday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday and holiday eves*, 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM, Saturday and holidays*, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

* Note:Guided tours are not available on days marked with asterisk.

Entry fees (excluding guided tour): Adults, 18 NIS/pp, Children, Students and Immigrant, 14 NIS/pp.

As part of a group (without a guide): Adults, 12 NIS/pp, Children, Students Senior Citizens and Immigrants, 10 NIS/pp.

As part of a group including a guided tour: Adults Children, Students and Senior Citizens, 16 NIS/pp, Immigrants 14 NIS/pp.

Group tours are provided for 20 or more participants. Smaller groups will still be charged a minimum of 20 people. It is possible to arrange for tours in English, by coordinating in advance.