Dr. Alek D. Epstein Is the New Artistic Director of the Moshe Castel Museum in Ma’ale Adumim

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Alek D. Epstein—renowned historian, sociologist, and cultural scholar, and the author of the article on Oleg Kushnirskiy’s biography in the catalog of his icon collection—has been appointed Artistic Director of the Moshe Castel Museum in Ma’ale Adumim, Israel. This important appointment opens a new chapter in his multifaceted career: he now not only curates exhibitions but also officially shapes the museum’s key developmental directions and curatorial vision. In a recently published interview, Dr. Epstein reflects on his creative path, working methods, understanding of the museum’s mission, and the vital role of philanthropic support in preserving and advancing the arts.

Dr. Epstein describes how his lifelong passion for art and museums began in childhood during family trips along the Volga River, where he visited every museum along the cruise route. During the difficult late Soviet and early post-Soviet years, he collected stamps featuring reproductions of artworks, studied masterpieces of world art through albums, and—thanks to his grandmother—became acquainted with the collection of the A. A. Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, which eventually became a second home to him. In the following years, Dr. Epstein became part of the close circle of many artists, publishing numerous articles, books, and catalogs about their work, and expanding his own collection of their pieces.

Since joining the museum in August 2023, Alek D. Epstein has dramatically revitalized its exhibition and publishing programs. The institution, which previously focused primarily on Moshe Castel’s work, now regularly presents the art of other Israeli artists as well. Over the past two years, he has significantly expanded the permanent exhibition, prepared and published the first comprehensive catalog of the collection in both Hebrew and English, produced a series of catalogs for temporary exhibitions, created a trilingual museum website, and compiled a digital catalog of Moshe Castel’s works. Thanks to Dr. Epstein’s initiatives, the museum has transformed from a local institution into a dynamic space for civic and cultural dialogue on a national scale—despite its small staff, limited funding, and bureaucratic constraints.

Alek D. Epstein at the opening of Dan Livni’s exhibition at the Moshe Castel Museum, March 2, 2025.

Dr. Epstein emphasizes that the museum’s work would not be possible without the support of patrons. Among those to whom he expresses special gratitude is Ilya Kushnirskiy, co-founder of the art logistics company Fine Art Shippers and director of Oleg Kushnirskiy’s icon collection. Thanks to the combined efforts of these benefactors, the museum can open seven to eight exhibitions each year and produce high-quality catalogs. The museum is currently hosting three exhibitions simultaneously: the first dedicated to the memory of Matvei (Mordechai) Lipkin, who tragically died in 1993; the second marking the 125th anniversary of the birth of artist Mordechai Avniel; and the third—The Pearls of Israeli Art—featuring works from the private collection of Dr. Alex Gizunterman.

We wholeheartedly congratulate Alek D. Epstein on his new appointment and are proud to support him in his mission. We are confident that his work as Artistic Director will make an exceptionally important contribution to the museum’s development, the cultural life of Ma’ale Adumim, and the broader appreciation of Israeli art. We are honored to be part of this inspiring journey.