Transported

One of my first stops this morning was the main Beit Midrash study room at Yeshiva University (the boys have an abundance of such libraries to study in, the girls get just one small space). It was as large as a regulation basketball court. Students filled evey seat. Stacks of books ten or more high covered every study table. They formed a kind of architecture on the tables, like walled fortresses of bound wisdom. Everyone was in dialog with another student across the table, discussing, arguing, gesticulating and raising a general cacophony in the room.

It took me a long time to orient and make any kind of photographic sense of this. The light, unfortunately, was dull, overhead flourescent, unlike the gorgeous window light of the women’s Beit Midrash. The energy level was many notches more potent than the women’s room as well, where I had felt a kind of gentle introspection. This was not a gentle place. This was a testosterone fueled environment, sublimated to religious and ethical discussion perhaps, but very energetically male.

In the afternoon I stopped by again, and a prayer service was in progress. I made a phone call to ensure that it would be appropriate to photograph, then I entered. This, now was transporting. The quick, mumbled Hebrew. A room full of davening Jews. This was so not my synagogue (to highlight one difference, our Rabbi is a woman). My minimal Judaic experience does not encompass depth of ritual of this dimension. But I felt the energy of a room full of people in prayer, and I rode along. After a couple of photographs I couldn’t shoot anymore (it overwhelmed me that thoroughly, which is hard to do), so I stood and immersed myself in the flow around me.

Comments

[Aliza]

Doug- Spending the last few days with you photographing YU has been a real experience. Not only have I become obsessed with photography, but I think I look at faces and my surroundings differently now. I am obviously no professional but you taught me so much in such a short amount of time. When Matthew told us about you he described you as being in your face and yet subtle. His description was pretty accurate. It was amazing watching you moving around classrooms without anyone noticing- ok maybe that's a lie but you know what I mean. I hope the next time you come to phtograph YU we can work together again. Thank you!!! Aliza