Jewish Men All Dressed Up and Ready to be Holy

The Jewish men were surrounding a bell hop at a local Jerusalem Hotel sharing in jokes and laughs prior to their big night with their big furry hats.

“So why the hats,” I asked a local onlooker. It was as if I was from outer space… “Look at how they are combed up, towards God – It gets them closer to God,” was the response I got. While that didn’t tell me much, it did tell me there was a religious meaning to the furry spectacle.

The hat is called a Shtreimel and it is worn by many married Haredi Jewish Men on Shabbat or any festive occasion… you know, when you want that special GQ look. Generally speaking, the hat is worn only after marriage. However, there are exceptions to the marriage rule.

First of all, the special fur hat is not to be worn with everyday Jewish clothing. It is for the dressier gear one would find themselves in at a wedding as the groom to be or at a special dinner event. For the groom to be, it is a tradition for the bride’s father to purchase the costly hat that is often made of real animal fur.

As for religion of the hat itself, it is associated with the holiness of Shabbat and viewed as a crown which enhances and beautifies Shabbat. By the way, Shabbat simply means Sabbath and it is recognized as a day of rest.

A Holy Siesta at the Western Wall

Some pray at the site of the Western Wall… Some catch a holy nap on the Shabbat.

The Western Wall in Jerusalem is also referred to as the Wailing Wall. The site received the nickname allegedly by visitors who watched in silence as they witnessed Jewish people weeping at the location due to the destruction of the Jewish Temple. Jewish people simply call it “The Western Wall” or “The Wall.”  

The wall is the western wall of the Temple Mount. It is also a symbol that God is near us, but a wall representing our sins separates us from him.

Prayer Time in Jerusalem for Muslims

Hundreds if not thousands of Muslims exiting the walls this past Saturday (5/5/18).

The massive walls seen in this photo surround the Dome of the Rock Islamic Shrine that sits atop the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem that first opened in 691 AD. It is considered to be one of the most sacred sites for Muslims around the world.

The rock was said to be the beginning point for Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey to Heaven. That rock is at the center of the mosque.

The location is watched and prayed over by more than one faith. It is also a significant location for those of the Jewish Faith in Israel. It is thought to be the Foundation Stone of where God gathered the dust to create the first human known as Adam on Mount Moriah and where Abraham attempted to sacrifice his son. The Jewish community actually turns towards this location in prayer.  

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Non-Muslims are not allowed to pray on the Temple Mount. It is also against the rules to bring any type of prayer book other than the Koran into the area. Furthermore, non-Muslim followers are not allowed to wear their religious apparel into the area next to the mosque.

Muslims once prayed towards the Temple Mount, but that changed when Muhammad was said to have had a revelation from Allah.  That revelation led to the direction of Mecca for Islamic prayer.

What do you see?

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”

— Isaac Asimov

I captured these photos directly next to a historic site that is visited by millions of people from all over the world. Local residents and tourist alike find the clutter distracting and the trash undermining of the finely kept museum pieces next door. I thought the same until I slowed down to take in my surroundings with a deeper consideration for where I was standing.  

The trash filled passage ways between the homes, the children in the streets without shoes and the field containing the garbage of nearby residents sits within 105 yards of where Jesus spent his final days while on trial prior to being sacrificed.

The neighborhood of the working class was a vivid illustration of how accepting Jesus was of people and surroundings. It was an illustration of his life in so many ways that tourist who want neat and tidy fail to see. It was a reminder that he walked with the unclean, the unhealthy and the unloved. In reality, the perfect setting.

When Jesus was at this location it was known as the Palace of Caiaphas. The High Priest of Israel lived in the palace that was utilized as a court setting for Jesus. Caiaphas presided over the Jewish Council which ordered Jesus be put to death finding him guilty of blasphemy. This is also the location of where Peter denied Jesus in the court of the palace three times.  

It is at this site some 105 yards away from the garbage filled homes that you will find the hole that Jesus was lowered into and held captive.

Today, the Church of St. Peter is built over that jail cell where Jesus was held.

The Basilica of the Assumption

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He was walking down the ancient stone sidewalk that was originally built under John II, Bishop of Jerusalem between AD 387 to AD 417.

The Basilica of the Assumption (or Dormition) is in Jerusalem near the Zion Gate.  The church was hit by warriors in year 614 and destroyed. A new structure was built on the site in the 12th century, but destroyed again in the 13th century. This is a similar story line to many of the buildings, churches, and structures in Israel.

However, the foundation of the original building left behind was staunch enough to stand a rebuilding in 1899. The Catholic Diocese of Cologne, Heinrich Renard, sought the reconstruction and moved forward with the project after a brief visit to the Holy Land.  

In just ten years, the massive structure was complete and dedicated to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in year 1910 under the Catholic Church.

The property was extremely important to save as this was believed to be the site where the “Blessed Virgin Mary” died or as many refer to her passing as, fell asleep. It is also near the location of where “The Last Supper” was believed to have been held.

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Sadness in the streets

There is a great divide in Jerusalem that I did not hear a lot of talk about. If you are not a part of the Muslim, Jewish or Christian community you will fear very alone. It not a welcomed alone feeling, but one of desperation, sadness and pain.

Jerusalem is divided into multiple areas with large walls that are similar to the walls that once stood in Berlin. However, these walks you can walk around to exit or enter. Regardless of entry or exit, the walls continue into the subconscious to where you know that you may not be welcomed after entering.

“I think that humans have a huge capacity to carry pain and sadness. There are things that haunt us our entire lives; we are unable to let them go. The good times seem almost effervescent and dreamlike in comparison with the times that didn’t go so well.”

— Henry Rollins

Watching Lag B’Omer in Israel

It was the night of Lag B’Omer and events were being held throughout the city of Jerusalem by different Jewish Communities.

At this event, a stage was the center focus lined with Jewish teenagers with adults nearby. In other areas, bonfires within the city roared to life constantly fed by oil to keep the flames alive. 

Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, which is a period of 49 days between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuot.

Some of the traditions on Lag B’Omer Day include three year old boys receiving their first haircut, Jewish weddings and of course, bonfires, food and singing.

Life and the Many Faces

Camera in Hand: When you approach a total stranger with a camera in hand, they never know what to expect. The “Why my photo” is usually the first thought that comes to mind. I often wonder if the person I photograph at first feels anger in the their thought of – “He is going to take my picture to be mean.” If so, it is interesting to watch their expression change as we begin to talk. Frame by frame you can see their 43 facial muscles relax. It is as if a relief falls over their fear.  

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It has Happened: Before I ever had a chance to talk I have had cold coffee thrown at me. Luckily, I stepped back before I was hit by the flying liquid. One time I had a man take a swing at me after assuming I thought he was from Mexico as opposed to Puerto Rico – even though I never said a single word to him and was actually photographing someone else.  Regardless, he missed and I smiled as I told him to have a good day. I have been cussed at – one “F” word after the other. In that case, I later served the man lunch while volunteering at a day shelter in Washington, DC.

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It seems as if 99% of the time, most of those that I meet on the street leave with a smile and an urge to share their story with others. Those who don’t want to talk – don’t. That does not mean I don’t leave them with a sleeping bag or another item that is needed to survive. It just means that we don’t use the camera and their story remains locked up tight inside their vault.  

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen. ”

— Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)

Are your eyes focused?

Sometimes we see things that we think are in front of us because our mind is telling our eyes what to believe.

However, we are often wrong when we judge a person for the clothing they wear, the place they call home or even the children they raise.

What we think we may see of the shaggy clothes that drape from a mans body are perhaps the only clothing he has. In seeing those tattered rags, we may come to the conclusion that he is on drugs, an alcoholic or mentally mad. While all three of those ideas could be 100% spot on, do you ever ask what caused such? 

If we stop to find out what caused madness and / or addiction and recognize them as symptoms as opposed to the main problem - then we start to understand more and see a much larger picture. Then... our eyes become focused as our imagination takes a pause. 

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”

— Mark Twain

On stage at Starwood in Nashville, TN

“Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.”

— Ludwig van Beethoven

I took this photo of a friend of mine a couple of years ago on what was once the stage at Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville. The outdoor concert venue was alive with sound and people not to far in the past.

More on Starwood:

(1985 to 2007) What was is no more: Starwood opened in 1985 to the sounds of Van Halen, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, and Motley Crew, just to name a few. Today, it looks like an epic ghost town of broken concrete, asphalt paths to nowhere, broken tiles that once lined the greenroom and overgrown grass.

Over the years, the concert venue changed names about three times. Up until 1999 it was called Starwood Amphitheater. The name changed in '99 to the First American Music Center. The First American name only lasted for one year. In 2000, it was renamed the AmSouth Amphitheater. It also closed with that name of "AmSouth" in 2007.

Life in Tennessee

LIFE: He grew up in Murfreesboro and has always called it home. 

He has never been married... did he ever find that true love? He has never had children... but did he want any? 

He was kind and enjoyed our brief conversation. He talked about his school days at McFadden and later Central High School, which is now Central Magnet School. 

His brothers... he spoke highly of. He smiled, "Are you taking pictures for a class," he asked me. I then explained to him that I simply photograph people and tell their story. 

Next time I see Mr. Haley, I will ask more questions. He has stories to tell and the luxury of time to tell them. 

"Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify." - Henry David Thoreau

Magic...

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.”

— Roald Dahl

The simple things

He goes by the nickname of John John and lives in the small town of Shelbyville, TN. He was standing near the gas pumps when he approached me, “Sir, could you buy me a Coca-Cola?” I smiled and said, “Sure.” Then, “Could you buy me something to eat?” I laughed and responded, “Sure, pick out something here.”

The gas station clerk looked at the man and said, “John John, we are out of your favorite popcorn.” She told me, “He likes the cheddar popcorn, but we run out quick because he buys all of them when we get them in.” Apparently, the small filling station only gets five of the cheddar popcorn’s in as John John seems to be the only customer for them.

While paying, “Sir, could you take me to Burger King and get me a burger?” I chuckled, “How about this candy bar and chips?” He quietly said, “Okay, that is good.”

He then walked away into the darkness. He lives in a small trailer park in Shelbyville and hangs out at the filling station when not at work.

"What's fulfilling is being happy and being able to help other people. The simple things." - James Arthur, British singer-songwriter

“What’s fulfilling is being happy and being able to help other people. The simple things.”

— James Arthur, British singer-songwriter

The bare feet of Hippie Hill

August 2017: Hippie Hill is known for bare feet and hippies. While it is true that not everyone on the hill is barefoot, the hippie ideals of accepting others has always been alive in the small community.

“On stage, I make love to 25,000 different people, then I go home alone.”

— Janis Joplin (1943-1970, died at 27)

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The future of the hill is somewhat up in the air as far as living arrangements go. It appears as if the government has been cracking down on their use of campers verses tent living.

It all has to do with zoning and it being called a primitive camping area verses a campground that allows for long term RV parking, etc.

Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture… Government getting too involved.

While rules are rules, it makes sense to allow for special permits when many who would normally be on the streets are currently living in a community where they feel safe. It is hard to feel safe under a bridge by yourself.

Fly Away Rocky

Some of you may recall Rocky. She once lived in a closed down and decaying motel in Nashville. No running water, no electricity... only the shell of a motel with mattresses and headboards fixed to the wall.

After moving back to her home state, reuniting with her daughter and getting sober... she found that her life was against the ticking clock.

In her last remaining days she was cared for by her daughter and her ex-husband.

Rocky passed away this past Friday shortly after midnight. She died with her daughter holding one hand and her ex holding the other.

Despite that title of "ex," he wanted so badly to see her feel good, to see her laughing with their daughter - - and he did.

"We must be conscious of this; one day, the life we have, will be gone." -Lailah Gifty Akita

R.I.P. Rocky 3/2/2018

What are your thoughts on the words racial tension?

Five people with three from Tennessee, one from New York and one from Colorado... One question asked: "What is the first thought into your head when you hear the words Racial Tension?”

“In the biological sense, race does not exist.”

— Abhijit Naskar, famous Neuroscientists and advocate of global harmony

Cold winter nights

Cold rainy nights on the street… a large moving blanket was the only warmth.

“In the morning my eyes were so vacant and my face so dead, that the people I met may not even have seen me.”

— Arthur Rimbaud

It's Okay

“It’s okay to be homeless,” he told me with dripping wet hair in the midnight rain, his shoulders covered with a moving blanket.

Words spoke aloud to another are reassurance that we are normal, we are okay, we are surviving – it is a way of handling one more night on the streets.

His words were similar to an alcoholic saying, “One day at a time.”

Following his cue while handing him a new sleeping bag I said, “It is okay to be homeless… Some travel the world while homeless.”

“I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.”

— Mother Teresa (1910-1998)