Zaji chalem was born in Nahariya, Israel in 1959, one year later his family moved to Bogota, Colombia.
After graduating from school in 1974, he took art and drawing lessons at David Manzurs fine art studio.
From 1975 to 1980 Zaji Chalem studied film and visual communication at the Universite Vincennes, Paris VII,
in addition he took courses in animation and special effect techniques at Chambre de Comerce et l´Industrie.
During this time he worked on various animation and documentary films. In 1981-82 he collaborated with
Bogotas Taller Arte 2 Grafico, working on multiple arts works with Cine Abracaribe, as well as on documentary
research for the Columbian Film Archive and on several short animation movies. In addition he realized
multi-media shows for Kodak, Colombia. 1983 saw him working on the greek puppet animation film "Kolibiti";
as well as on various multimedia slideshow presentations for The Sheraton International Center in London.
Since then Zaji has worked for a range of studios and on a multitude of artistic projects and collaborations,
as an exhibition designer and expert for incorporating moving imagery in museum design.