particularly

 among the Jewish community, for her innovative, three dimensional original creations which are on exhibit all over the United States and abroad. Traditional Jewish motifs 

appear in all her works and it always touches and hints at the holy city of Jerusalem, and at Israel-her country of birth. Her research and interest in the ancient scrolls of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews and the scrolls of the Dead Sea are the subject of many of her creations.

Orna’s artistic developments started at a young age. She was born in Haifa, Israel to artistic parents; her mother created beautiful drawings and sketches, and her father, in his spare time, sculpted with hard materials, including bronze and other various metals. After graduating from high school, she studied art at the University of Haifa, and served in the Israeli Air force. It was around this time that she met her husband, Ami, and shortly after, they married. She accompanied her husband when he was sent to Iran as an emissary during the period in which the Shah was in power. It was there that she developed her drawing style and also gave birth to their first son, Saar. When the Islamic Revolution began, they were forced to flee to Israel, having no choice but to leave behind all her early works. In Israel, She gave birth to their second child, daughter, Moran.

The turning point in Orna’s career and in her artistic development began when she left Israel for Nigeria the second time. Her husband Ami worked as an agricultural consultant there and they lived in a small United Nations Community. During their 10 year residence on the African continent, there was a serious turn in the way that Orna viewed her art and in her artistic development. She taught art and drawing in the community school, and created many works under the influence of local African motifs. During that period Orna became involved in many local charitable institutes, among them being Chair-person of an Institute for Homeless Children. She continued working on her art, displaying her creations in exhibitions throughout Nigeria, and donating most of the money she earned to charitable causes. The government of Nigeria awarded her the title “Chief” for her public service and her contributions to these needy institutions. While residing in Nigeria, Orna experimented with the processing of synthetic materials with iron and gold dust and synthetic material imported from Central Africa and the Ivory Coast--material that could be processed at high heat.

In 1983, she gave birth, to their third child, Leedor, while on holiday in Florida, and returned to Nigeria with the latest addition to their family shortly thereafter.