Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on October 3, 2014

Starting today, the Brooklyn Library is featuring photographs from 1990s Brooklyn, depicting Hasidic Jews in Crown Heights, from Chie Nishio.

Nishio, who was born in Japan, told DNAinfo that she had been "curious" about Orthodox Jews after seeing them in the Diamond District: "When she married a non-observant Jew, she became even more interested in New Yorks Jewish communities. She tried making contacts in Williamsburg to photograph the Orthodox community there, but had no luck. Then, a friend suggested visiting Crown Heights where, she was told, the Chabad-Lubavitch community was 'more open to outsiders.'"

Nishio, now 84, spent two years documenting the community. The library says, "This exhibition is part of a portfolio of over 200 prints, beautiful and inviting photos that often capture life of the Hasidim from a distinctly female point of view. The black and white images include thoughtfully composed formal portraits along with lively documentations of a broad range of daily life and ritual. Although the sensibility is distinctly sympathetic and sensitive, one discerns a certain crisp detachment and humor as well."

The exhibit is at the Brooklyn Library's central branch at Grand Army Plaza, right inside the entrance.

See the article here:

Photos Of 1990s Hasidic Life Exhibited At Brooklyn Library

Category: Hasidic
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