Our space, which houses both our weaving workshops and rug market, has evolved into a vital third place for our flourishing community. Each member of our team makes this possible.
Our Team
Mahmoud Kosyaem
Owner & Master WeaverThe Kosyaem family has been weaving in Aleppo, Syria, for over 150 years, and in Urfa, Turkey, for 600 years prior.
Mahmoud is a world-renowned fiber artist, with tapestries displayed all over the world in museums and galleries. His work is on display at the Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai and the Kadras Contemporary.
As a rug salesman, Mahmoud has collected thousands of handmade rugs and carpets. He knows everything there is to know about the rug trade.
Mahmoud is deeply inspired by each country he has lived in and the communities he has encountered. He feeds his soul by bringing community together and keeping his family tradition alive.
In 2025, Mahmoud launched Sarab in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he created an accessible weaving experience for those new to the craft. Mahmoud constructed a loom capable of hosting twenty weavers at once, fostering a vibrant, community-focused creative and social atmosphere.
Tess Dickstein
Community & Brand DirectorTess is a community organizer, activist and full time university student.
At Sarab, she wears many hats such as managing the weaving workshop program operations and creative directing the Sarab brand. Like Mahmoud, Tess is very community-oriented and focuses on how Sarab’s programs can be accessible to as many people as possible so they may share in the Kosyaem family’s beautiful tradition.
Tess is a member of Socialist Alternative, an international, revolutionary socialist organization fighting for a world where the needs of people are prioritized over profits.
Tess has over a decade of experience teaching art to children and adults. She is passionate about bridging violence prevention efforts with an arts practice.
Tess is currently earning her bachelor’s degree, creating her own major entitled, “The Intimacies of Violence”. She is studying the relationship between state and interpersonal forms of violence. Tess is also earning her public health masters in social and behavioral sciences.
Zoe Bleed
Sales DirectorZoe is a Brooklyn-based multimedia artist. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2024 with a BFA in sculpture. She is currently building her art portfolio and learning about art sales and building community at Sarab.
Leyla Younes
Afterschool Arts InstructorLeyla is a multidisciplinary artist from the NJ/NYC area with a passion for fiber arts, ceramics, recycled arts, jewelry, and preserving dying art practices. They have been practicing art in all forms since as long as they can remember and also loves to garden, make sock monkeys, and spend time in nature. Leyla is also a swim instructor they have been teaching kids for around 5 years. Starting off teaching pottery to kids and adults of all ages, Leyla has since moved on to teach at Sarab!
Being at Sarab has provided Leyla with the opportunity to learn more about their own culture as well as those of others. Coming from a long line of people who cross stitch, weave, make lace, crochet, and knit, Leyla has been fortunate to immerse themselves in community while also being able to teach and share their love for art and creativity.
Madisyn Gudino
Afterschool Arts Instructor