Hasidim: the Unseen
project Statement
Stamford Hill (London) is home to the largest community of Hasidic Jews of Ashkenazi descent in Europe, with approximately 40,000 people. In this London neighborhood, four of the main congregations among the many that exist live out their daily lives: Bobov (originally from Poland, now headquartered in Brooklyn, USA), Belz (Ukraine), Biala (Poland), and Satmar (Hungary).
Black-clad figures always walking back and forth with urgency. Yiddish and Hebrew banners. Dozens of children playing everywhere.
It could be the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem.
Hasidim is an ongoing project driven by the search for understanding and learning from this hermetic and seemingly insular community—one that, once it opens its doors to an outsider, proves to be surprising and unexpected.
With special feasts and celebrations almost every month, life here is shaped by the Torah and the many additional rules established over centuries by different congregations. Every action—or inaction—is guided by the Rabbi, who, depending on the congregation, may issue different rulings. The Sabbath is the focal point of the week; everything revolves around it—clothing, liturgies, permitted and forbidden activities...
What is most surprising about this community is that, despite appearances, they enjoy life in ways that can be unexpected—even shocking—to outsiders. Electronic music, energetic dancing, a rich and abundant social life… Tradition and conservatism are sometimes momentarily overshadowed by a touch of exuberance (within permitted limits, of course) and open, engaging conversations.
Stamford Hill is a neighborhood full of contrasts. As in any society, there are the wealthy and the poor, the powerful and the ordinary, countless layers and diverse perspectives.
The aim of this project is to explore all these layers and challenge the Western-derived cliché of a backward, patriarchal cultural group—to go beyond the surface and reveal the true face of Hasidic Jews.
Black-clad figures always walking back and forth with urgency. Yiddish and Hebrew banners. Dozens of children playing everywhere.
It could be the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem.
Hasidim is an ongoing project driven by the search for understanding and learning from this hermetic and seemingly insular community—one that, once it opens its doors to an outsider, proves to be surprising and unexpected.
With special feasts and celebrations almost every month, life here is shaped by the Torah and the many additional rules established over centuries by different congregations. Every action—or inaction—is guided by the Rabbi, who, depending on the congregation, may issue different rulings. The Sabbath is the focal point of the week; everything revolves around it—clothing, liturgies, permitted and forbidden activities...
What is most surprising about this community is that, despite appearances, they enjoy life in ways that can be unexpected—even shocking—to outsiders. Electronic music, energetic dancing, a rich and abundant social life… Tradition and conservatism are sometimes momentarily overshadowed by a touch of exuberance (within permitted limits, of course) and open, engaging conversations.
Stamford Hill is a neighborhood full of contrasts. As in any society, there are the wealthy and the poor, the powerful and the ordinary, countless layers and diverse perspectives.
The aim of this project is to explore all these layers and challenge the Western-derived cliché of a backward, patriarchal cultural group—to go beyond the surface and reveal the true face of Hasidic Jews.
IMAGES
VIDEO
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Lag BaOmer - Biala Community - Stamford Hill |
Lag BaOmer - Bobov Community - Stamford Hill |
Purim Festival - Stamford Hill