Jerusalem 2000

by Rachael Rapp

From Within

At a yeshiva in central Jerusalem, in a study room called the beit midrash, both young and old gather for Talmudic studies. It is not uncommon to find students in many yeshivot studying well into the night.

Morning Prayers

Regardless of weather or time of day, The Wall is never abandoned. On this day the whole city was shut down from a heavy snowstorm, making it the emptiest I have ever seen, but still one can find a friend at The Wall.

Morning Visit

The greatest reward of living in the Old City's Jewish quarter was being able to make frequent visits to the Kotel (Western Wall). On two different occasions last winter half of the city was snowed in, and I found myself with a few lucky others seeking audience at the foot of G-d's throne.

Living in Remembrance

Respects are paid during the Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers at Har Hertzel National Cemetery where fallen patriots are buried.
Sadly, there are always fresh graves.

Rut

I lived with Rut and her family for several months in a tiny apartment in the projects of southern Jerusalem. The Berensteins immigrated two years ago from Cajamarca, Perú.

Silent Passage

This photo was taken atop the roofs of the Old City, near the intersection of the four quarters. Even from up here each quarter is easily distinguishable, each overflowing with monuments and landmarks.

Praise, Blessed

Prior to wedding, the bride sits in a chair surrounded by people who have come to wish her well and ask for special blessings. On a bride's wedding day, her prayers are said to go straight to heaven.

The Strength of Hope

In a private moment, the bride recites her final prayers before being escorted to the chuppah, the canopy for the wedding ceremony. From this moment until the breaking of the glass the atmosphere is charged with unwavering intensity.

Night Gathering

People gather in prayer as a brilliant full moon rises over the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock.

For the Love

He really seemed to beam with joy and compassion that day, as if he were the baby's own father. It was beautiful to see how much he cared for that family and how much he obviously treasured the performing of the commandments.

The Gabbi

Hodeya was celebrating her newborn baby's health with her family. It was a day of intense emotion. Many came that day to rejoice over her release from the hospital as much as the baby's brit, aleha refua shalema. I found the Gabbi watching over everyone, smiling with an aged reassurance.

Eliahu

I met Eliahu at a bus stop one day when I was out apartment hunting and ended up at his wife's 70th birthday party. Although they escaped Uzbekistan decades ago, they still spoke in broken Hebrew. The three months that I lived with them provided ample opportunity to practice my Russian.

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Please send inquiries or comments to: Rachael Rapp at rachaelrapp@hotmail.com