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POSTED: Saturday, July 17, 2010:

JONO DAVID IN THE NEWS: The Australian Jewish News published a follow-up story about me and my endeavor to document Jewish life Down Under in the July 9, 2010 edition of the paper. I really appreciate the coverage and am thrilled to be following through on my personal pledge to add Australian images to my library.

POSTED: Wednesday, June 23, 2010:

FORTHCOMING JEWISH PHOTO TOUR: It’s official — I’m off to Australia and New Zealand this summer. I depart on July 29th for Sydney and will return home to Osaka from Auckland on September 11th. My full itinerary is as follows: AUSTRALIA — Sydney, July 29~August 5; Canberra, August 5~7; Hobart (Tasmania), August 7~9; Launceston (Tasmania), August 9~11; Adelaide, August 11~15; Melbourne, August 15~21; NEW ZEALAND — Christchurch, August 21~25; Dunedin, August 25~28; Wellington, August 28~September 1; Auckland, September 1~11 (with a few days traveling out of Auckland); back to Osaka on September 11th. I will be visiting each country for the second time (Australia 2000, New Zealand 1996) but the first time for the purpose of documenting the local Jewish life. There is a conspicuous gap in my Jewish photo opus and I am excited to add images to the library from this far-flung region of the world. I am also excited to give my first-ever live presentation. I have been invited by the Beth Shalom Progressive Jewish Congregation of Auckland in Auckland to give a talk and slide show on my work. The date has been tentatively set for Friday, September 3rd.

POSTED: Thursday, May 27, 2010:

PARUR SYNAGOGUE in Paravoor (near Cochin), Kerala State, India will be restored: I received a wonderful email today that this remarkable 400-year-old synagogue, which I had the pleasure of photographing in March 2009, will be restored to its former glory as part of a larger heritage conservation and tourism development project by local officials, according to a news report in the Jerusalem Post. To view my images of the synagogue, click here.

POSTED: Tuesday, May 18, 2010:

JONO DAVID TV APPEARANCE: On April 1st, I appeared on “In Montgomery County”, a local cable show on Access Montgomery TV 19 and TV 21 hosted by my spirited friend, Toby Beach. “It’s not the Today Show”, as Toby put it, but I had a lot of fun talking about my Jewish photo work nonetheless. It was good to be in front of the camera for a change too. The show was broadcast on Comcast Channel 21 in Montgomery County, Maryland (USA), Wednesday, May 5th, 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, May, 8th, 3:30 p.m. (and will likely be aired again on other dates). The show also aired on Verizon and RCN local cable channels. View the full interview (28 minutes; 3 parts) — or click on VIDEOS above (and see May 18, 2010 post). If you don’t have that much time to spare, check out a few SCREEN SHOTS from the show.

POSTED: Thursday, April 8, 2010:

It has been a highly productive and busy spring season photographing in Israel and the USA. Photo numbers include: some 28,000 photographs taken; 7,000 new images filed in the library; 82 new pages on the website including 39 synagogues, 9 cemeteries, a number of yeshivot, Purim events, matzhoh bakeries, and street life.

I was in Israel February 9 ~ March 6 and shot more than 20,000 photographs (of which some 5,000 have been uploaded to my website — please scroll down the page for a complete list of all newly added images). From Israel, I flew back to Osaka for a brief visit home, then on March 12 I took off for a few more weeks in Washington, D.C. and New York City and took another 6,000 or so images. I only photographed two synagogues in D.C. but I had a busy week in NYC photographing half a dozen synagogues in Manhattan and several sights in Borough Park, Brooklyn, including yeshivot and a matzoh bakery. The latter proved particularly exciting as I had never before experienced the rituals of matzoh making.

The main reason for returning to D.C. was to attend the reception (on Sunday, March 14th) for my first-ever Jewish photo show which was held at the JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland (click here for a few glimpses of the show). In short, the entire event was a grand success. My images were well received and my commitment lauded. The reception itself had a terrific turnout. Some of the guests were people I had not seen in years while others were first-time acquaintances. It was an exciting and fun evening.

As usual, I have so many people to thank for all that has happened this February and March. I am the guy behind the lens, but I am not the only one behind the scenes. Many generous souls make this photo library possible. Also as usual, there are too many people to thank here so I provide a sampling of some of the players:

First, I extend a huge thank you to Phyllis Altman, director of the Goldman Art Gallery of the JCC of Greater Washington for all she has done to make my photo show a reality. She works indefatigably to organize each and every show — no simple task. It is no exaggeration to say that without her championing my work and for being there to set the show up that it simply would not have taken place. I send her a special expression of gratitude for she didn’t let me down despite some extraordinary times.

In Israel, I am indebted to Tamira Zidkiahu for her enthusiasm and great friendship. On January 2, 2010, just a month before my arrival in Israel, I received a wonderful email from this complete stranger: “I’m so excited,” she wrote. “I do not know how I did not discover your wonderful site before…I am sitting now with tears, you are doing exactly what I’d do if I were younger, and I am so happy that you do such a great project.” I responded with my appreciation, and from that, Tamira offered to help set up no end of appointments for me, including permission to photograph the synagogue inside the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) in Jerusalem. We first met face-to-face over big bowls of humus and piles of freshly baked pita bread in Ra’anana on my first afternoon in the country. She quickly won me over with her charm, her verve, her enthusiasm for life. She and her husband, Shlomo, later welcomed me into their home in Netanya and treated me to a tasty home-cooked meal, and I even partook in Purim events with their daughter’s family in Tel Aviv. Tamira’s time and assistance resulted in photographs and memories that I treasure.

In Haifa, Joel Malkar, secretary of the Shaare Rahamim Prayer Hall, took a day off work to drive me around town to photograph several Indian synagogues and introduce me to several delightful members of the Indian Jewish community there. In Ashdod, Shlomo Dighorkar, also took a day off work to guide me to Indian synagogues there too, plus a yeshiva and a cemetery. Both men were great partners and outstanding companions. They gave me great insight into the Indian community in Israel (comprised of some 80,000 souls in communities around the country).

In Jerusalem, I thank Diane Liff and her husband for welcoming so warmly into their home in the Har Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem to partake in and photograph Purim celebrations.

In Ra’anana, a particularly huge and heart-felt thank you goes out to Stephanie Robinson-Jonas, my dear friend since junior high school, her wonderful husband, Amnon, and their delightful children, Amit, Maya, and Yali, for welcoming me into their home for a total of 15 wonderful days and nights. They really made me feel like a member of the family and I felt very much at home. There is absolutely nothing they did not do for me: they took care of me, fed me, housed me, drove me around to numerous local sights of interest, and embarked on several farther-flung day trips to such locations as Tel Megiddo, Ceasarea, and Apollonia.

On Moshav Beit Gamliel, I thank Orli Robinson-Jacobs (Stephanie’s sister), her husband, Yaron, and their five lovely children, Moriah, Eylon, Eliya, Tehila, and Neriya, for over-feeding me (it would have been more had it not been for a kitchen mishap!) and taking care of me one Shabbat. I thoroughly enjoyed playing table tennis with 13-year-old Eylon despite the fact that he slaughtered me 6 games to 0 (I’ll be back for a rematch!).

In Brooklyn, New York, thanks go out to Judy Liff, director of the Boro Park Y senior center, for once again finding precious slivers of time to help organize a successful visit to Borough Park (she also put me in touch with her sister-in-law Diane in Jerusalem). I am indebted to Joe Schindelheim, Judy’s colleague, for also once again taking time out of his busy day to assist me, guide me, and vouch for me to gain access to a number of yeshivot, synagogues, and even a matzoh bakery. For someone who lives in the midst of Jewish Brooklyn on a daily basis, even he was wowed by what we found behind the doors in the bakery. I am glad I got to share such a special opportunity with this affable man.

Last, and certainly not least, in Rockville, Maryland, I thank my mother and father for their instrumental assistance in organizing my photo show and for their steadfast love and support. I also thank my brother, Michael, and sister, Sharon, for coming in from Los Angeles and Chicago (respectively) to attend my photo show. It means a great deal to have had them share in a personal great event.

And to all those other unsung heroes who helped me these last few months, you know who you are. Thank you all so very much.

FACEBOOK: HaChayim HaYehudim Jewish Photo Library is now of Facebook. Become a member!

NEW VIDEOS: For a glimpse of my recent photo work in Israel, please watch my slideshow video, “101 VIEWS OF ISRAEL” (the first video below). For a virtual visit inside the world of shmurah matzoh making, please watch my slideshow video, “18 Minutes” (the second video below). Enjoy! NOTE ON THE MUSIC: You will notice that both videos feature the same piece by Moby. I made the Israel video first and thought the music blended well with the images. When I then made the matzoh video, I decided to title it “18 Minutes” (watch the video to find out the reason for this title), and figured “18″ by Moby to be the fitting choice.

POSTED: Sunday, January 24, 2010:

FORTHCOMING PHOTO TOUR and TRAVEL: Israel, February 9 ~ March 6. My sixth visit to the Holy Land and first in 6 years promises to be full of fun, adventure, visits with friends old and new, and, of course, thousands of new images for the library. Photographically, my goals are two-fold: 1, to document aspects of the Indian Jewish community in Israel and, 2, to capture highlights of both street life and specific Jewish sights around the country.

USA, March 12 ~ April 4: I will be home in Rockville, Maryland (just outside Washington, D.C.) to attend my first-ever Jewish photo show (scroll down the page for details). I will also do some photo work both in the area and in New York City during the week of March 21.

FORTHCOMING PUBLICATIONS: A number of my photographs will be published in three different books in 2010, one of them appearing on the cover.

• “Kalman Aron: The Artist’s Journey After the Holocaust” by Susan B. Magee (publication pending). The book explores the life and art of Kalman Aron (born, 1924 in Riga, Latvia) who survived the war in the Riga ghetto and seven concentration camps before settling in the United States. Click here to visit his website.
• “Looks Good, Tastes Great: Jewish Culinary Favourites” published by Action Duchenne, a British national charity for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is a fundraising recipe book featuring recipes donated by well-known Jewish celebrities and community figures. The book is illustrated with contemporary photographs of Jewish life in Britain. Click here to learn more about Action Duchenne.
• “The Holocaust: A Guide for Students and Teachers” by acclaimed international historian Professor David Cesarani. The book was published by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET), a small charity working for the increase of knowledge and awareness in the U.K. of the Holocaust. A photograph I took at the Memorial de la Shoah in Paris, France in summer 2006 adorns the cover of the book. Click here to view the cover. To learn more about the HET, click here.

POSTED: Saturday, December 5, 2009:

SEPTEMBER 2010 ~ AUGUST 2011 / TISHREI 5771 ~ ELUL 5771 CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLE! This year’s calendars celebrate synagogues of the world. THE SYNAGOGUE and SYNAGOGUES of INDIA calendars complement my forthcoming photo exhibition at the JCC of Greater Washington (see November 21 post below). THE SYNAGOGUE is also available in booklet format. For product details, previews, and orders, please visit STORE.

POSTED: Saturday, November 21, 2009:

PHOTO EXHIBITION: The Synagogue: Architecture, Art, Appeal is a photographic celebration of synagogues of the world including a special feature on the synagogues of India. More than 200 photos from my library will be on display. This show is my first Jewish photo exhibition.

WHERE: Goldman Art Gallery, JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER of GREATER WASHINGTON, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA, tel: 301-348-3770. DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE JCC.

WHEN: February 21~April 15, 2010.

SHOW RECEPTION (I hope to see you there!): Sunday, March 14th, 6:00 p.m.~8:00 p.m. (coffee, tea, cookies will be served).

GALLERY HOURS: Sunday~Thursday, 11:00 a.m.~5:00 p.m.; Friday, 11:00 a.m.~4:00 p.m.; Saturday, closed.

QUESTIONS?: Email me or call Phyllis Altman, Director of the Goldman Art Gallery, 301-348-3770 (during gallery hours), or email her at: paltman@jccgw.org.

FREE ENTRY

SHOW PREVIEW: Watch the video teaser below or visit YouTube. (time: 00:53)

POSTED: Wednesday, September 23, 2009:

MY SUMMER US and MEXICO JEWISH PHOTO TOUR was a grand success. I am home in Osaka now with 3,000 new images, and, thanks to my new digital camera, no tedious scanning of slides to do! New additions include images from Chicago, Washington, D.C. and the Maryland suburbs, New York City, and Mexico City. New photo additions include 30 synagogues, a day care center, a school, a retirement home, and a huge cemetery. For a complete list of links, either see below or click on ALPHABETICAL INDEX or CENTRAL AMERICA incl. MEXICO.

Like all my Jewish photo tours, there are a number of kind souls who helped make the photographs possible. I am most grateful to all of them. They provided their time, interest, and assistance, and in some cases, food and transportation. In Mexico City, there are two wonderful women I would like to thank specifically:

MONICA UNIKEL-FASJA (www.jewishtours.com.mx) is a writer, a historian, a researcher, a tour guide, and a wonderful hostess. I was acquainted with her via email when I visited Mexico City in February 2008. But this time round, Monica responded not merely enthusiastically and warmly to my pleas for help, she also guided me personally to two wonderful synagogues in the heart of town. And more, she welcomed me to her lovely home for a delightful Shabbat meal with her family and friends. When I bumped into her the next day on the Zocalo, the city’s main square, she greeted me like a friend.

Dra. ILIANA CHMELNIK was president of the Ashkenazi community when I met her last year. In our brief encounter, she and her colleagues managed to make me feel more than welcome. I still laugh when I recall Profa. JUDITH BANK’s comment: “You’re famous.” On this visit, however, Iliana and I shared a relaxing two-hour dinner over which she told me about her incredible medical career and her involvement in the community. “When I was president of the community, I didn’t sleep,” she said. “I would go from the hospital to the community offices and eat something in the car.” I was tired just listening to that routine. Even now, with her busy schedule, she carved out time to respond to my numerous emails. She personally saw to it that my needs and requests were taken care of. “When you first contacted us last year,” she explained, “I thought ‘how can we as the Mexican Jewish community not be included in his library? We have to let this guy take pictures’.” Iliana is a true champion of my documentation endeavors. And she is just a lovely and remarkable lady. In response to a message of gratitude I sent her after my departure, Iliana wrote back, “I want you to know that here in Mexico you have in me a good friend.” One cannot ask for more than that.

Additionally, I would like to extend my thanks to JAIME VOLCOVICH. He is a member of the Maguen David community security team. Even though he was hobbled by a recent motorcycle accident, Jaime spent two half days guiding me to three synagogues. He waited patiently for me while I did my work. After our first outing, he invited me to his home where I met his family, including his father, artist Jose “Pepe” Volcovich. And if that were not enough, Pepe surprised me with a gift of one of his wonderful works.

POSTED: Wednesday, July 15, 2009:

FORTHCOMING JEWISH PHOTO TOUR: USA and MEXICO, August 11~September 19. Destinations include Chicago, Washington, D.C. and vicinity, New York City, and Mexico City. I am particularly looking forward to working in New York. Last year, I photographed several synagogues in Manhattan. This time round, I have more appointments there but I will also be venturing into Williamsburg. My trip to Mexico City will be my 3rd overall to that wonderful city. While I found establishing contacts within the Mexican Jewish community very difficult last year, this year things are shaping up easily, all thanks to two delightful individuals who have enthusiastically offered to set up appointments on my behalf. All being well, it seems I will really have little more to do than just show up and get photographing.

This photo tour will also mark a major shift in my photographic equipment: In June, I finally, if reluctantly, went digital. I am a long-time Canon user and went for their 5D Mark ii. I also bought myself Apple’s 13″ MacBook Pro, my first-ever laptop computer. I am excited by the challenges of mastering my new gear. I am anticipating not only taking more images of each respective sight that I photograph, but I also foresee being able to sort, file, and upload new images to my website from the road. While I hate the idea of perhaps never again using my Canon EOS 1V 35mm camera, my trusty workhorse for the last 8 years, I am relieved to have unburdened myself of the tedious chore of scanning thousands of slides. Still, film will be missed.

POSTED: Friday, June 26, 2009:

AUSTRALIA JEWISH PHOTO TOUR SUSPENDED!!! Due to unfortunate and unforeseen events, I have suspended my planned visit to Australia for August-September. The following letter spells out the situation: NOTE: For MEDIA COVERAGE, please see links following the letter, or see PRESS. READER COMMENTS also follow the letter.

To the Jewish Community of Australia –

RE: An Open Letter to the Jewish Community of Australia

June 2009

I am a freelance documentarian of Jewish communities worldwide. My mission is to contribute to the preservation of Jewish communities by documenting them photographically. I recently spent a month making arrangements for a photo tour of Australia’s Jewish Communities (AJC), the first of several visits to document every synagogue, Jewish cemetery, and aspects of Jewish life Down Under. My 80 or so query emails initially met with plaudits and approvals. Then responses turned to “no thank yous” and permission retractions (though not all). I was confounded. Then a few kind souls brought Community Security Group (CSG), an organization that oversees matters of security within the AJC, to my attention. In short, I was ultimately left with no choice but to cancel my project.

This letter has two aims: 1, to highlight CSG’s inflexible policies and underhanded procedures, and, 2, to encourage discussion by ordinary members of the AJC on matters of security, access, documentation, and community image.

“Whilst the CSG does not consider Mr. David himself to be a security concern,” emailed Gavin Queit of CSG Victoria to all Jewish communities, “the subsequent publishing of such photographs does pose a risk to the Jewish Community. As such, it is our recommendation that Jono David be denied permission to photograph Victorian Jewish institutions.” In a follow up email to me (after I had initiated contact), Mr. Queit stated that emails were “sent to all Jewish community institutions in Australia (by the CSG’s in each state) [sic].” A similar email had also been, unbeknown to me, sent by David Rothman, head of CSG Sydney.

There was no reason to inform anyone, much less everyone, that my work “poses a security risk” (Gavin Queit) because there is indisputably no such evidence. In fact, I challenge anyone to name a single incident — worldwide — where photographs played an integral part in an attack on a synagogue or a Jewish institution.

While I have on rare occasion been denied photo requests, I could never have imagined being blacklisted on an entire continent. CSG’s emails at once sabotaged my project and, for all intents and purposes, maligned me, a fellow Jew, as a threat to the AJC. Their words are, in effect, defamatory. I am open to photo conditions. In the extreme, I am happy to document an institution and keep the images safeguarded for at least a generation. But, alas, I was deemed unworthy of even a courtesy email. I fail to understand such treatment.

I am a stranger in every community I document. Naturally, verifying and vetting outsiders is necessary. Jewish community security concerns worldwide are justified and do not need explaining. I do not “map out” synagogues or other Jewish institutions. Nor do I not make images available if an institution has issues with said images. No exceptions. I am aware of a recent rise in anti-Semitic sentiment in Australia. But documenting Jewish life is important even in times of adversity — perhaps more so. By restricting documentation, the AJC is going to wake up in a generation and realize there is no photographic, no film, and no video record available to them. That is a real shame. CSG’s blanket no-photo policy, therefore, is actually a detriment to the AJC. Moreover, a hyper-sensitive security measure is a victory for the terrorists. But by photographing a vibrant community, the Jewish people win.

Perhaps the AJC ought to ask itself just what CSG is aiming to achieve. Do they wish to see the AJC go underground? Do they desire shutting down community websites which, contrary to their own “advice”, display for the world vital community information such as addresses, names, maps, prayer times, events, even photographs similar to those I wish to take? Does CSG desire stopping the presses too? The Australian Jewish News, and publications like it, is a portal into the life and times of the AJC. It is replete with community news and affairs past, present, and future — information that can be employed by the savvy terrorist. What is the point of “securing” a Jewish community, particularly in a free nation, if it cannot thrive openly? With so much Jewish history destroyed over the millennia, why surrender now? Jewish communities of the world have always been resilient in times of adversity and always emerged stronger because of it.

I am not giving up on Jewish Australia. I hope the AJC is not giving up on itself. Isaiah 41:6 says, “Each helped their neighbor and everyone said to his brother, be strong and courageous.”

— Jono David

MEDIA COVERAGE (also see: PRESS): Australian Jewish News (AJN), Australia’s national Jewish weekly paper. J-Wire, “Australia’s Jewish Community Online”. Galus Australis (originally from The Sensible Jew blog), “Jewish Life in the Antipodes”. The SchmoozeNews, an online collection of Jewish news published in Fairfax, Virginia, USA. San Diego Jewish World, an online paper. The Washington Jewish Week, D.C.’s weekly. In Israel, see The Jerusalem Post and Haaretz. Also, see Jewish Times Asia coverage.

I would like to thank the editors of all these publications for giving voice to my story.

READER COMMENTS:

“Sorry to hear of your difficulties.  Some people have a little amount of power that gives them the idea that they are important.”

“I have to say I am distressed by what has happened. I had not even considered the CSG’s involvement. When I started reading your letter and CSG’s response I immediately thought of the limitation they are placing on recording a time in history.”

“I sincerely hope that you are able to work out an amicable compromise with the CSG in respect to your work.”

“I just came across your site after reading about the Australian refusal article.  What a terrific mission you have set your self and what great photographs you take.  Well done and I hope you will continue to be very successful – Australia notwithstanding. Hope to read about you more.”

“Wow, this is really unfortunate and surprising…You’d never guess Jews are so uptight Down Under.”

“I can’t imagine all of the time and effort you put into this and then see it blow-up in your face this way.”

“How  disappointing for you and for all of us who would have loved  to share with you those Jewish sites.  In our current times, especially after the Holocaust Museum’s recent tragedy, how very narrow-minded of this group to deny you the opportunity to keep these monuments alive for all to see.  Good luck in your future attempts in dealing with them.”

“I just read your open letter, prior to your email below. The permission I gave you stands and you are welcome to come and photograph to your heart’s content. I agree completely with your sentiment in the open letter. The national weekly Jewish newspaper the “Australian Jewish News” actually prints a list of all synagogues in the Melbourne area, together with addresses and phone numbers every week. Even an unsavvy would-be terrorist already knows where every synagogue is and could have taken his own photos already.”

“I did not get back to you immediately, since there was someone on our synagogue’s board who opposed the idea of photographing the premises (due to that CSV (sic) email), and I was trying to work out a compromise. I thought, and still think, that it would be an excellent idea to have our synagogue documented, and I think your project is altogether great! I am also unimpressed both with the paranoia of the CSV (sic) and the cavalier manner in which they sabotaged your project.”

“This is unbelievable. I hope they reconsider.”

“Your letter is GREAT and this article is wonderful publicity for you.”

“You’re going to get a lot of coverage over this story Jono.  If nothing else, I suspect what’s going to come out of this unfortunate situation from your perspective is some really good discussion over the way community organisations like the CSG work and the impact they can have on the community. Perhaps even some change for the better.”

“I am totally at a loss by these organizations in Australia.”

“I symapathise with you and your failure to photo the Australian Jewish community…My best wishes for any future success in photography.”

“I understand your frustration about the whole situation in Australia…however, I hope you will understand that the synagogues are part of a broader communal structure that takes advice from our Community Security Group. I would still love to meet you and have you shown around our shul while you are here; let us know when you will be in Sydney.”

“I just wanted to reiterate our support for what you are doing. I’m am really disappointed in how this situation turned out, and it’s awful that you had to cancel your trip. I know that our community would love to meet you, and I sincerely hope we have the chance to do so in the future. Thank you for your heartfelt letter to the Jewish Community- hopefully it will help to dispel the mounting paranoia you so justly criticize.”

“I always look forward to your visit whenever that may be.”

“I have read (twice) the open letter to the AJC- and like you I am shocked at their over protective policy that would even think that a photo could be a terrorist risk.  Have they not read the Sydney street directory?  Evey synagogue is listed and every cemetery is listed.  Synagogues are not  easy to miss - so  taking a photo of one would be the same as driving past one.  You must be frustrated by their attitude and annoyed at their over reaction. I hope you have better success when ‘ the dust clears’.”

“I AGREE entirely with the photographer and am incredulous at the refusal.  I have viewed his photos and note that he has photographed in countries where there is significant anti-Semitism and outrages against cemeteries etc., yet he was allowed to post the photos up.”

“I read with great sadness about the problems you encountered in Australia. I was speechless!! It appears that the community “Down Under” has let fear take complete hold of them. Also, one would suspect a bit of a power play as well. I have only encountered resistance a few times, but to be barred from an entire Community is truly sad. Hopefully as a later date they will come to their senses.”

“This person [from CSG] suggested that their concern would be if you took ‘aerial’ photographs that highlight the complete layout of the building.”

POSTED: Saturday, May 23, 2009:

HHJPL VIDEOS: I have had a busy week making (and remaking) a series of slideshow videos to highlight my work. Thanks to an unexpected week off work due to swine flu shutdowns here in Osaka, Japan, I had plenty of time to dig in and get this job done. The videos, posted on YouTube, feature the following themes: Jewish Jamaica, Jewish Caribbean, Synagogues of the World (video volumes 1 and 2), Jewish India, Jewish Asia, Holocaust Remembrance, Jewish Cuba, Jewish Central America & Mexico, Jewish stained glass, and a worldwide collection entitled, A Jewish World. Please visit VIDEOS.

POSTED: Monday, April 27, 2009:

JEWISH INDIA photographs and are now ready for viewing on this website. I came home from my March photo tour with 5,500 images — the largest number from any one Jewish photo tour to date. In the end, I filed about 4,500 of them and have uploaded 3,347 of those to my website. They are divided into 67 photo galleries and includes images of 32 synagogues, 19 cemeteries, and 16 miscellaneous galleries taken in more than 20 locations around India.

To view these images, please see the complete list of Jewish India images below. Alternatively, the images may be accessed by clicking on either of these links: ALPHABETICAL INDEX or ASIA: Central, incl. India.

I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all of those people who helped me. No Jewish photo tour is an individual endeavor; it is a team effort (and there are some 50 people who helped with my Jewish India photo tour — some only via email but many of them on the ground in India). Without their help, their time, their enthusiasm, their warm welcomes, I would have few Jewish India photographs. Their help is a direct and integral contribution to my Jewish photo library. I am grateful to all of them for all they have done. “Thank you” is insufficient, but it’s all I can offer here.

There are a few individuals I would like to thank specifically. Their efforts were well above and beyond the call of duty, enacted with grace, humility, and indefatigable enthusiasm.

- In Delhi and Mumbai, RALHPY JHIRAD patiently answered my many emails with invaluable details and contact information. I had expected to meet him in Mumbai but he instead showed up unexpectedly at Judah Hyam Hall Synagogue in Delhi. In the moment of my confused surprise, I didn’t even recognize his name when he introduced himself! “I am Ralphy, Ralphy Jhirad,” he repeated a few times before it finally clicked. We had a good laugh about that. I had the pleasure of meeting Ralphy, and his lovely wife Yael and their sons, again in Mumbai.

- In Mumbai, DANIEL DAVID PEZARKAR became my right-hand man. He spent hours sending me detailed information about Jewish India via email, and then once in Mumbai, he reserved fully 2 days to guide me literally all over the city, aiding access to synagogues and cemeteries and saving me hours of time. He proudly showed me the beautifully maintained Etz Haeem Prayer Hall which his family is so admirably committed to serving. More than that, he spoke so much not only about Jewish life, but what it means to live in Mumbai. Daniel, it is fair to say, you are my brother.

- Also in Mumbai, MENASH CHORDEKAR took time out of his busy schedule to guide me to Kurla and Thane in the northern parts of the city. His spirited chatter and friendly disposition kept me not only informed, but entertained for the entire day. I am ready to return the favor when he comes to Japan in November this year.

- In Atlanta, Georgia, USA, JAY WARONKER fed my already eager appetite for Jewish India by revealing details I would have likely missed otherwise, particularly in and around the Kochi/Ernakulam area. His precise accounts of synagogue details and contacts in the area were invaluable. When at last I reached all the synagogues he directed me to, I fully appreciated just how amazingly spot on his remarkable watercolor renditions of the synagogues are. He has a great artistic talent and a deep commitment to his work. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Jay personally as yet, but he might just be making a stop in Japan soon.

- In Kochi, THOUFEEK ZAKRIYA is a Muslim with a deep and honest interest in Judaism and a talented calligraphist. He is particularly skilled at writing Hebrew and has transcribed numerous portions of the Torah into handmade scrolls, such as the one he gave me. Thoufeek spent a very full day with me photographing in Mala, Chennamangalam, and Parur. His presence proved an invaluable time-saver as he was able to negotiate directions with our driver who spoke little English. His companionship that day was much appreciated.

- In Ernakulam, ELIAS BABU JOSEPHAI welcomed me like an old friend even though I showed up with only a single phone call two days in advance. He provided access to 2 synagogues and 2 cemeteries, plus took me along to an engagement party. When I met Babu, he was busy at his business Cochin Blossoms, a tropical fish store and gardening nursery in the heart of Jew Town, housed in the former yeshiva building of the Kadavumbagan Synagogue. Elias spoke very frankly about Jewish life today and shared his candid feelings about the challenges the community faces. But of all his words, I remember these most vividly: “The [old] cemetery will make you cry. It’s in terrible condition.” I have photographed many cemeteries in dire shape. But Babu was so right. I truly was choked up at the sight of fetid garbage and broken glass, fires (for clearing the brush), barking dogs, snakes (yes, snakes! — thanks for the warning, Jay!), and the dilapidated state of many graves. Despite the fires and the morning sun, I felt a real chill on my skin. I couldn’t wait to get out of there!

- In Pune, ADEN PENKAR graciously answered an inquiry letter I sent by post requesting permission to photograph Succath Shelomo Synagogue and the cemetery. Little did I know that he would feature as a cornerstone to my Konkan excurion. Aden provided not only key information about his community, but vital details about the surrounding area that is so rich in Jewish heritage. In Pune, his wife and family warmly welcomed me into their home and treated me to a tasty lunch.

- Last, but certainly not least, in Pune, MOSES PENKAR, father of Aden, deserves the biggest thanks of all. He spent 3 very full, very hectic, and very fruitful days and 2 nights guiding me around Konkan (south of Mumbai). And he did so for nothing more than the adventure of it all. Aden had, in a sense, volunteered his dad’s services to me. “My dad is a very down to earth person,” he wrote to me on March 4. “The time he spends with you is a learning experience for him, and I am sure he shall enjoy it.” I sure hope he did. For me, Moses felt like a long-lost dad, the kind of person with whom you share a thought only to be taught something in return. There is no one else I can think of that I would rather have with me on that journey again than Moses.

Again, thanks to all of you!

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