Israel–1998

I was walking through an old artists’ quarter in Sefat, Israel when I noticed a Hassidic man standing in front of one of the shops. I thought this man would make a wonderful subject for a photograph. It was my understanding that Hassidim do not like to be photographed, so I was very respectful and kept my distance. I wasn’t having any luck, so I decided to keep walking, and headed into this man’s shop.

The first thing he said to me was, “Oh, you have a Nikon F3 Camera!” Needless to say this was the last thing I expected to hear. As it turns out, he was not only an artist but an accomplished photographer as well, and he proceeded to show me his own collection of photographs.

Many of the images were of the Hassidic movement in various countries. Knowing the cultural restraints, I asked him how he had come to take the photos. He told me that for some he had received special permission, but for the most part the subjects weren’t aware he had photographed them. Both answers surprised me.

We spent some time talking before I asked if I could take his photo; both our conversation and this image were very rewarding.