Much has been written about the Jews of Yemen, its ancient original traditions, which date back to period of the second temple in Jerusalem. But the visual documentation is lacking, especially of the great immigration to Israel, after the establishment of Israel.
Knowledge of the culture and history of each Jewish community, regardless of its size, is necessary, if we wish to see, to learn the whole spectrum of Jewish experience. The photographer, Zion Ozeri, a son to a family which immigrated to Israel as it was being established, went exploring his own roots/past, looking for disappearing unique aspects of Judaism, and customs. The second generation, and the ones coming after, grew and became part of the Israeli society, and so have discarded, most of the customs, traditions and their parents’ mindset. This exhibition looks with Love upon the heritage of the Jews of Yemen, and in many aspects, documents the last generation of a bygone era.
