From Neturei Karta to Zionism with art: Interview with Tamar Zeitlin

In this powerful episode of *The Jewish World*, Rabbi Elchanan Poupko sits down with Israeli artist Tamar Zeitlin for an extraordinary conversation about transformation, faith, family, and the Land of Israel.

Born in Jerusalem in 1985 and a tenth-generation native of the Land of Israel, Tamar grew up between Jerusalem and the ancient Jewish community of Safed. But her path took her into the fiercely anti-Zionist Neturei Karta community, where she lived as part of the community and worked as an illustrator for the Neturei Karta movement.

Today, Tamar’s life tells a dramatically different story. She is the mother of six children, three of whom have joined the Israel Defense Forces, and her children proudly identify with Zionism and the State of Israel. Her son recently graduated with excellence from the IDF Squad Commanders Course, a milestone that represents just how far her family’s journey has taken them.

Tamar’s transformation from anti-Zionism to a deep love for Israel is reflected in her art, her family, and her vision for the future. Her paintings celebrate the beauty of the Land of Israel and the richness of Jewish life, showing how Judaism and love of Israel can inspire creativity, hope, and a commitment to building the future.

Rabbi Poupko and Tamar discuss her years within Neturei Karta, what led her to reconsider the ideology she once embraced, raising six proud Zionist children, her sons’ service in the IDF, and how her art has become an expression of her love for the Jewish people, Judaism, and the Land of Israel.

This is a remarkable story of moving from rejection of Zionism to embracing the Jewish state—and of a family choosing to build, serve, create, and celebrate the beauty of Israel.

You can find her art here:
https://jewish-painting.com/about/