The shuk (marketplace) on Agripas Street, in the northwest end of Jerusalem is captivating with its aromas, colors, sounds and expressions. Many are the faces streaming by – to shop or just to feel the pulse of the people. And it is a universal ground – where people buy, yell, bargain with and help one another. The unarguable fact is that the fruits and vegetables’ taste is rich and satisfying, and one leaves – full – in one way or another.

The Sigd – the special holiday of the Jews of Ethiopia, connects renewal of the covenant during the Return to Zion in ancient times and the longing of Ethiopian Jews for an end to their dispersion and to reach Jerusalem.

On the 29th of Cheshvan Ethiopian Jews gather together for a prayer gathering and celebration. According to an Etiopian woman who I met at the Promenade in Jerusalem, where thousands of Ethiopian Jews flocked to on this date, this a type of minor Yom Kippur – celebrated by Etiopians the world over. The beauty in color, passion, and variety was everpresent – and the contrast between the modern and ancient was striking. I look forward to next year’s celebrations here in Jerusalem.

Have a look at my albums on Facebook, my blog http://rebeccakowalsky.blogspot.com/, and of course feel free to visit www.imagesthroughtime.com

“…who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this moment.”   -  Shehecheyanu Blessing
A baby is G-d’s opinion that life should go on. – Carl Sandburg

Until this day I have not used this forum to post family photographs or personal events. That all changed on November 18, 2009.   I had the privilege to be with my daughter at the birth of her first child, our first grandson…. And I could not resist the desire to share our joy with all of you.

We offer thanks to You, L-rd our G-d, for having given as a heritage to our ancestors a precious, good and spacious land.

- Birkat Hamazon (Grace after Meals – paragraph 2)

To see the Birkon in its entirety and in high quality

http://www.ImagesThroughTime.com/birkon

The process of creating this work was the compilation of many hours by many people.  My goal was to present a religious functional piece, with the highest artistic standards; and one that all could use AND get pleasure from.  Photography, and my passion for it enabled me to build the bencher together with state of the art graphics, printing, and binding .  This birkon can be viewed in its entirety at the following

After producing our first bencher\birkon – and selling out the first edition, we decided to create a whole new version – new design, many new photographs, and upgraded printing and binding. I wanted to show just a few sample pages – though the best way to really see the bencher is by going to the following link:

http://www.imagesthroughtime.com/birkon.html

I would love to hear your comments – and – if you like it pass the word on to people who might be interested in ordering the Birkon.

Many of the photographs I had taken over the years and some of them I had to go out to ‘get’ for a specific page that did not have an appropriate photo. Enjoy!!

]]> http://www.imagesthroughtime.com/2009/11/12/land-of-israel-birkon-by-imagesthroughtime/feed/ 0 http://www.imagesthroughtime.com/2009/11/08/the-color-of-change/ http://www.imagesthroughtime.com/2009/11/08/the-color-of-change/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:04:49 +0000 Rebecca http://www.jackreichert.com/imagesthroughtime/?p=398 New York City and Stamford Connecticut

Color is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment.
- Claude Monet

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way–things I had no words for.   Georgia O’Keefe

My journey to the United States was informative, enriching, and simply beautiful. The colors of Connecticut, the hustle and bustle of New York City and the view of the world far from where I now live brought back wonderful feelings and memories.

Imagination is the highest kind of kite one can fly
- Lauren Bacall

Every Chol Hamoed Sukkot the settlement of Pnei Kedem in Gush Etzion hosts it s annula kite festival.  people flock from all over, park their cars and buses shuttle them to the hilltop of Pnei Kedem where all the color is seen flying in the air.  Come next year and enjoy the festivities!

]]> http://www.imagesthroughtime.com/2009/10/10/kite-festival-pnei-kedem/feed/ 0 http://www.imagesthroughtime.com/2009/10/06/sukkot-unfolding-5770/ http://www.imagesthroughtime.com/2009/10/06/sukkot-unfolding-5770/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:23:57 +0000 Rebecca http://www.jackreichert.com/imagesthroughtime/?p=384 The Time of our JOY

…a holy gathering to you…

- Leviticus 23:36

Birkat Kohanim Kotel

The festival of Sukkot is full of colors & variety -  in people, their cultural customs,  the environment, and the articles of the chag.  Any festival of pilgrimage is composed of elements both spiritual and material, as you can see in this brief photo-essay showing the ways in which people express their connectedness to our rich tradition and to each other.  It is miraculous to wrap oneself in the tapestry of this chag and to live in its complex beauty.