The following is a preview of the Pilgrimage art book.
You can get the full version on Apple Books and Google Play. Accompanied by the author's commentary, the comprehensive art book contains 60 high-quality images, 50 of those exclusive.
The Grave
Once a year, the Hassidic Jews from USA, Israel and Eastern Europe gather at the tomb of David Biderman — the founder of the Hassidic Lelover dynasty. The tomb was originally erected in 1814 in Lelow — a small municipality in southern Poland, which boasted boasted a 50-60% strong Jewish community up until the XX century. After the holocaust the remnants of the Lelow Jewish cemetery were liquidated and a communal cooperative's shop was erected in its place. The surviving traces of Lelow's Jewry were either forgotten or purposefully dismantled.
Things changed only recently; on the initiative of the Jewish Nissenbaum Family Foundation the extensive research conducted has been able to confirm Biderman's remains. Finally, in 2008 the area of the former cemetery was handed over to the Jewish community in Katowice following erection of the new tomb.
Things changed only recently; on the initiative of the Jewish Nissenbaum Family Foundation the extensive research conducted has been able to confirm Biderman's remains. Finally, in 2008 the area of the former cemetery was handed over to the Jewish community in Katowice following erection of the new tomb.
The FIre
The prayers at the tomb are followed by the commemorative fire outside. Dancing and cheering, the Hassidim pour oil into the flaming barrel as the local firemen stand in a distance, recording the scene on their mobiles.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is tiny. Two Mashgiachs make sure the food for the evening banquet is prepared in accordance with the strict rules of Kashrut. The cleanness does carry way in the Hassidic world, although, the emphasis lies on the spiritual end of the spectrum.
The kitchen resembles a train station: the Hassidim get in and out quickly through the second exit. Everybody knows better and everybody makes sure his input is heard and appreciated by the ever-patient Mashgiachs.
The Banquet
The Hassidic crowd quickly consumes the mashed-up rations in the minor-tent, adjacent to the kitchen. Everybody smokes at all times - at least as far as I can tell. The revellers belonging to different Hassidic denominations crack jokes a socialise.
Soon the whole company moves over to the main tent. After the short prayer the party starts. The Hassidim sing aloud jumping up and down the scaffoldings arranged on both sides of the tent. The religious hymns layered with heavy electronic rhythms blast from the speakers. The dead remain remembered, and live goes on.
