THE GERTRUDE KRAUS MEMORIAL HOUSE
A Historical Archive of the Ein Hod Artists' Village

Gertrude Kraus was born in Vienna in 1903. She lived and created her art works in Austria and Germany, until her immigration to Israel in 1935. Here she continued with her artistic work in dancing, creating her unique expressionistic style, by which she attempted to express the spirituality beyond the material and physical. In 1968 she was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize for her dancing, as a tribute to her artistic achievements. She established generations of dance pupils and was active until her decease in 1977.

Gertrude Kraus joined Ein hod as a member in 1953, upon the invitation of Marcel Janco – founder of the village. Being a total artist, she was a painter, sculptress and musician, in addition to being a dancer, choreographer and teacher. She combined ideology and art with resoluteness and faith in her own ideas.

  
 THE BEGINNING
 MARCEL JANCO
 "YAD GERTRUDE KRAUS"
 HISTORIC MOVIE
 HISTORIC PHOTO ALBUM
 HOF CARMEL REGION
"Yad Gertrud Kraus" - entrance

"Yad Gertrud Kraus" - main hall

"Yad Gertrud Kraus" - Presentation of Gertrud Kraus art

"Yad Gertrud Kraus" - Concert 

"Yad Gertrud Kraus" - the garden

 
Since her house was bequeathed to the village, it has been serving as a historic archive of Ein Hod, exhibiting art works by the village founders, documentation of the village's deceased members, as well as a memorial room for Gertrude Kraus and her tradition. Concerts of chamber music are held in the house for many years, as well as lectures, seminars and other cultural activities.

The Gertrude Kraus House is situated at the village entrance, on the way to the main square. Outside, along the path leading to the entrance, is a small sculpture garden, placed among a variety of unique cacti – nurtured by Gertrude and her companion, the late Elsa Scharf.

The House is managed voluntarily by Ora Lahav-Schaaltiel and Hanna Yunichman, both members of the village since its very first days. They have been recording for the last 50 years all the village events, stories, celebrations and parties – in writing, pictures and photographs.

-- Ora Chaaltiel