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Jacob Kessler

Jacob Kessler is a freelance journalist from New York based in Peru. In addition to his reporting covering Latin America for JTA, his work has appeared in Al Jazeera, the China Project and the Washington Blade. He also reports on breaking news from South America for CBC Radio.

One of Mauricio Avayu's 40 murals depicting key moments in the Torah is displayed at the Jeffrey D. Schwartz & Na Tang Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association center in Taipei. (Photo/JTA-Courtesy of Avayu)
Posted inCulture

A Chilean-Jewish artist strives to capture the entire Torah in massive murals

by Jacob Kessler December 21, 2023December 21, 2023

(JTA) — As a child, Mauricio Avayu wasn’t allowed to pursue art — his father thought he should study something more practical, like math or engineering. Avayu grew up in […]

A view of a street in Pisac, Peru. (Photo/JTA-Jacob Kessler)
Posted inTravel

Israelis flock to this tiny town in Peru for vacation — and psychedelic spirituality

by Jacob Kessler May 31, 2023

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