Ofir Barak: The Streets of Mea Searim

Photographer's Profile:
Ofir Barak is a photographer from Jerusalem, Israel. After living in the USA and abroad for several years, he returned to his hometown - Jerusalem, in order to photograph a multi layered project that would display the city and its people through his eyes. Barak’s work has been featured in numerous galleries in the US , Europe and the Middle East.

Photo Description 1:
Passover is a Jewish holiday where The Jewish people commemorate their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. Seen here is a type of book that residents read from while performing their religious customs.

Photo Description 2:
For Passover, large centres in different locations gather groups of residents. They burn their old bread to make room for a type of bread especially for Passover, named “Matza”.

Photo Description 3:
Purim holiday. A small group of children allowed me to spend time with them during the Purim holiday. It’s the only time of the year their parents allow them to smoke. When I asked them why, they said that they follow the rabbi: he won’t smoke all year long but only at Purim.

Photo Description 4:
Lag BaOmer: the Jewish holiday is celebrated on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer (the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar). Large bonfires are held. A child from an extremist family that opposes the Israeli state is burning the national flag. In 2016, Israel passed a law whereby those burning the Israeli flag will face up to 3 years in prison.

Photo Description 5:
Purim holiday. We see a doll representing ‘hamman’ hanging from a balcony. ‘Hamman’ is the main villain from the book of Esther. Some residents will hang a ‘hamman’ doll which has adjustments showing modern day politicians, as a sign of protest.