Tbilisi - Initial sketches in B&W

Tbilisi. First time we came here for my son’s wedding, now,10 months later it is to see our newly born granddaughter. Very little else is of interest for the first week, in the second week, we take a few hours to walk around and experience the city. A city worth exploring, to be continued next time. For now, just a few initial sketches in B&W, leaving the color for later.

Beautiful street art

Small bakery dwarfed by a huge Brutalist style building

Remnants of Soviet regime

Old wooden balconies in hidden backyards, waiting to be restored “restoration happens before elections, come in 2024 …” to quote our guide

“The way it used to be”, a preserved interior in a restored building

The environmental crisis depicted by many of the street artists

When the world composes itself into a perfect frame …life and art, art and life

Sellers, mostly women, a lot of them wearing black. Life is not all cherries and peaches.

My freedom is your freedom

“Love thy children”

I was never comfortable watching pride parades on TV. They looked a tad too provocative, I did not understand why should sexuality be flaunted this way? Lately, I had a chance to talk to a couple of people about it and realized that what I see on TV does not necessarily represents what actually takes place, rather a filtered version of it. As someone who photographs for a few years now, I should have figured this earlier …anyway, when hearing there is a pride parade in Netanya, my childhood city I realized this is a good opportunity to experience the actual thing, not the TV version. I am glad I went, the event did not feel even a bit like the ones on TV …

To start with , it was small, maybe a couple of hundred people, mostly youth ( school age), a few families as well. Heavily guarded by the police as Netanya is a pretty conservative city, this is only the 2nd time this parade is organized here. Needless to say, no financial support from the city, all done by volunteers. What truly surprised me was the joyful atmosphere, singing and dancing, an optimism and can do attitude that permeated the crowd. Looking at the little girl who watched the dancing on the stage, sitting safely on her father’s (?) shoulders I could not help wishing that when she grows up, she will be free to be her best self, and fall in love without society passing judgments on her choices.

One of the last speakers was a young gay religious man, who told his story, and his parting words are still ringing in my ears. He said “ As long as there are young men desperate enough to contemplate suicide because of their sexual inclination - the Pride Parade should be held”.

After today, I hope to see the day when these parades are not needed anymore, and may this day come sooner rather than later.

“This is my city too!”

Safe & confident, on her father’s shoulders and on the stage

Happy to be ourselves

“My freedom is your freedom”

Masks & prayers

Praying from the heart

Yom Kippur 2020. The most unusual of days in the most unusual of years. When social distancing is enforced by the law and we close ourselves behind walls to safeguard our health. When masks cover our mouth to keep us and others safe. Given the intolerance towards anyone who dares to think differently - I wonder if we should not wear masks that will make us think and empathize for a minute before we talk.

Yom Kippur 2020, I walk around the neighborhood with the iphone. I want to take the ‘real camera’ but am aware this will look too intrusive. Even the iphone, despite the lack of sound and light when photographing is noticed. A man wrapped in Tallit ( Jewish prayer shawl ) asks me “why do you photograph people praying?”. “Because it is truly beautiful” I answer. He can not see my face as I am wearing a mask, but my tone and the look in my eyes probably convince him, he places his hand on his heart , smiles and says ‘Please forgive me”. It is only then I realize he suspected I take pictures in order to show how the praying people break the social distancing laws. Nothing is further from my mind. I photograph because for the first time in my life I can see the miracle of Yom Kippur. Since it is not advised to congregate and pray indoors, people step outside the synagogue walls and prayers are for all to share, regardless of beliefs. Kids on bicycles and old man praying in one frame. I can’t avoid thinking that praying with the mask on adds a special intent to the prayer. People care about each other. Protect each other. For one day, the polarization, recrimination, hate, fake news and gossip move to the backstage side allowing for a moment of harmony. To me, this is a true miracle.

Praying

Yom Kippur 2020

Same lights, a different point of view

A peek at the Ponevezh Yeshiva, Bnei Brak Israel

Less than 3o minutes driving distance and a world away. Bnei Brak. How often am I mad at the orthodox Jews infringing on what I feel is my right to live as I choose? Weekly (on a good week …). How often do I take the time to look at “their world” without judgment? I am ashamed to say this does not happen. This Hanukkah was an exception to the rule, and for a couple of hours we wondered through the poorest, and most populated city in Israel - Bnei Brak. The 8th night of Hanukkah and hundreds of Hanukkah menorahs lit the narrow streets. The traditional ones, with olive oil, not the convenient candles we use at home. Most menorahs are in a glass “house” - something I see for the first time. I walk on a main street in the very center of my country, and it feels as if I am on Mars. Shops for men only (have you ever seen a shop filled with black male shoes?). “Kosher” phones (no internet access), every street corner filled with donation boxes, our guide tells us that on Friday you can see packages left on street corners for needy people to take. The streets are dirty but on these streets, a mom can leave her toddler in a stroller unattended - without worrying. A sense of community I have not seen anywhere else. Walking through the winding alleys filled with people dressed in their own dress code, living by their own rules I am reminded of the words of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic Judaism (many of the Hasidim live in Bnei Brak) about us judging others, and what does it say about us. “ …should you look upon your fellow man and see a blemish, it is your own imperfection you are encountering - you are being shown what it is you must correct within yourself”. Worth keeping in mind next time I judge others. Maybe some of the Hanukkah light penetrated deeper this year ….

Olive oil Hannuka menorah on a stone fence, Bnei Brak, Israel 2018

The poorest city in Israel bathed in Hanukkah lights

Black shoes for man only!

Every kid lights his menorah, the more light - the better

A post that starts with green doctors and ends with a song

Forever living young, Venice, CA

Saying my goodbyes. To the beach, the gardens, the art and the streets. This time, I took my camera (testing the new Pancro 400 film) to Venice. About 45 minutes walk from Santa Monica and light years away. The ultimate blend of Van Gogh murals and Green doctors, public opinion on display ("f**k Trump" shorts ???) alongside "The Shul on the beach". Homeless and muscle beach. Loneliness, dreams and living art. Farewell Venice, will miss you, stay well.

Loneliness or private moments in public view?

Skateboards (with cellphone??) and art. Venice, CA

Starry night in the middle of day and one unhappy dog (he's really barking)

Shall we end this with a song?

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

The year is almost ending and the holidays are just such a good time to feel thankful, and it seems I'm best at expressing myself camera in hand. On the first Hanukkah night, despite still being down with the flu, I could not refrain from photographing. No big celebrations, just small everyday moments I am thankful for. The well dressed snowmen puppet I got as Hanukkah gift, our funny, loving cats and their gifts (no, we did not buy them gifts, our friends did. It seems we have now five different types of mice toys scattered all over the house. )

This was a good year, I learned a lot, created quite a bit, grew up as a person. I am truly thankful for all the people in my life that made this year so special, love you so much!

Looking forward to a great 2017, and meanwhile - happy Holidays everyone!!!

Peek-a-boo!!!

Untitled :)

The Hanukkah gift

A morning walk

No place is boring if you have a pocket full of unexposed film, said Robert Adams. Or maybe just an iPhone....

I usually do not photograph on my morning walks. After all, this is the only exercise I get, I'd better try to keep up a good pace and burn some calories. Once in a while, my solitary walk is replaced by a more leisurely walk & chat with my friend Patti. On these occasions, we walk the length of the Palisade park overlooking the beach and the adjoining streets. Beautiful but nothing extraordinary. Until you take a second look. 

The memorial plaque under the bench - who was Marion? Who loved her enough to have her immortalized in the rose garden? A hidden gate leading from the front garden - to where? A tiny plant the color of the Mediterranean sky, a lion head at the bottom of the wall. Why is he there? How can one not smile at Lulu the dog or at Moses who is lying on the bench, his head on his owner's lap?

No place is boring, and not because of the unexposed film or iPhone in the pocket, but because having them makes us look rather than see. And once we look, we notice the details and realize what great photographers said a long time ago: no place is boring. And photography - its not really about the equipment...

A hidden gate

Lulu and the red sneakers

Just a tiny plant ...

Moses, resting.