If you daven at Ahavath Torah in Englewood, Israel is coming to you. A collection of photographs of Israel, taken by members of the shul, will be on view for the first time when worshippers enter for Rosh Hashanah services. Naava Parker, Chair of the exhibit committee, said the photos will “beautify the shul and reflect our values as a community.”
To view the photos is to see Israel come to life. I got a sneak preview as I interviewed a few of the committee members arranging the exhibit. The usual iconic photos of the kotel are joined by images of the beautiful coastline, majestic mountains, and Israelis in their daily lives. You can see the vibrancy of Machane Yehuda, and feel the fervor of a man davening with his lulav and esrog. There are photos of ancient buildings and contemporary museums. Even mundane moments captured by a camera feel special, simply for being in Eretz Yisrael–laundry, blowing in the wind on a clothesline, like a flag.
Parker said the committee let people know through the shul newsletter that anyone who wanted could contribute photos and that at least one would be included, unless the image resolution was too low to enlarge. “We asked people to respond to the idea of ‘Israel: What it means to you.’ So to the individual it is personal but the exhibit as a whole represents us as a community.” She added that having a committee ensured that different styles and tastes were represented. “Everyone sees things with different eyes. We wanted a well-rounded exhibit.” The committee includes co-chair Amy Lebovics, Bob and Joanne Stein, Bill Spivak, Sheryl Urman, Susan Greif, and Barbara Treitel.
Lebovics, a professional photographer, said they chose photos to achieve a balance between people, scenery, and different parts of Israel, “We were happily surprised that people came up with things that we all liked.”
The exhibit will be on view for several months. Then the committee will begin thinking about a new exhibit for next year; perhaps another call for photos of Israel, or possibly a new theme such as chesed activities.
By Bracha Schwartz
