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Family Affair Reli Avrahami & Avner Avrahami For ten years, Reli Avrahami and Avner Avrahami have wandered throughout Israel, photographing random families and questioning them about their daily lives, about their dreams and beliefs, their origins and their relations. She takes photographs, he writes; she navigates, he drives; she’s a wife, he’s a husband. They visited hundreds of families in their private homes – and others who live under one roof. Their portraits appeared regularly in the weekend supplements of Haaretz (and later Maariv), week by week, becoming a routine for Israeli readers. Encounters with a variety of people, born in the country or immigrated, Jews and Arabs, Muslims, and Christians, coming from Europe, Africa, and Asia. The format was always the same: a colourful photograph and a very personal text. The traces of tensions in the Israeli society, national and religious, social, political or ethnic, are visible in the ambience of everyday life, in the environment of living rooms and family stories. Of the hundreds of families and their stories, about 80 were selected for this exhibition. 80 portraits of families and other groups living under one roof in Israel, in a country that is still searching for an identity in which their diverse people can find together, 80 insights into diverse heritages and traditions, family stories and visions for the future. Each family stands alone, but together they create a sort of group portrait of Israel in the first decade of the 21st century. This exhibition is offered for travelling by the Jewish Museum Hohenems. The artists are ready to adapt the exhibition to the needs of different locations. Curated by Galia Gur Zeev Matzav Mishpachti Eretz Israel Museum, Tel-Aviv 2012 Familienaufstellung Jewish Museum Hohenems, Austria 2013 Family Affair Castrum Peregrini, Amsterdam 2015

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Family AffairReli Avrahami & Avner Avrahami

For ten years, Reli Avrahami and Avner Avrahami have wandered throughout Israel,photographing random families and questioning them about their daily lives, about theirdreams and beliefs, their origins and their relations. She takes photographs, he writes; shenavigates, he drives; she’s a wife, he’s a husband.They visited hundreds of families in their private homes – and others who live under oneroof. Their portraits appeared regularly in the weekend supplements of Haaretz (and laterMaariv), week by week, becoming a routine for Israeli readers. Encounters with a variety ofpeople, born in the country or immigrated, Jews and Arabs, Muslims, and Christians,coming from Europe, Africa, and Asia.The format was always the same: a colourful photograph and a very personal text. Thetraces of tensions in the Israeli society, national and religious, social, political or ethnic, arevisible in the ambience of everyday life, in the environment of living rooms and familystories.Of the hundreds of families and their stories, about 80 were selected for this exhibition.80 portraits of families and other groups living under one roof in Israel, in a country that is still searching for an identity in which their diverse people can find together, 80 insights into diverse heritages and traditions, family stories and visions for the future.Each family stands alone, but together they create a sort of group portrait of Israel in thefirst decade of the 21st century.This exhibition is offered for travelling by the Jewish Museum Hohenems. The artists areready to adapt the exhibition to the needs of different locations.Curated by Galia Gur Zeev

Matzav Mishpachti Eretz Israel Museum, Tel-Aviv 2012Familienaufstellung Jewish Museum Hohenems, Austria 2013Family Affair Castrum Peregrini, Amsterdam 2015

How they met: The Golani Junction, 1996. She was ayoung army officer serving at the Safed command poston her way to Tel Aviv for a tribute performance onbehalf of the Ethiopian community (after the blanketdisposal of Ethiopian blood donations became publicknowledge and caused a scandal). He happened topass by in his parents’ Subaru station wagon – “a realclunker” – on his way to a bar mitzvah of former pupilsin Pardes Hanna. His colleague in the passenger seat said,“Let’s give the soldier a ride.” Sigal boarded the car andon the way they stopped at the Kadoorie AgriculturalHigh School where he used to teach; they were soonsurrounded by children. She was intrigued when sheheard him chatting with them in Amharic, and thus begana conversation that led to a wedding four years later.“We were just friends for the first two years.”

March 2012

From left to right: Shahar (10),David (35), Harel (7), Sigal (35)and Maor (3 ½)

THE KANOTOFSKI-WUBA FAMILY

YEMIN ORDE

How they met: The Golani Junction, 1996. She was a young army officer serving at the Safed command post on her way to Tel Aviv for a tribute performance on behalf of the Ethiopian community (after the blanket disposal of Ethiopian blood donations became public knowledge and caused a scandal). He happened to pass by in his parents’ Subaru station wagon – “a real clunker” – on his way to a bar mitzvah of former pupils in Pardes Hanna. His colleague in the passenger seat said, “Let’s give the soldier a ride.” Sigal boarded the car and on the way they stopped at the Kadoorie Agricultural High School where he used to teach; they were soon surrounded by children. She was intrigued when she heard him chatting with them in Amharic, and thus began a conversation that led to a wedding four years later. “We were just friends for the first two years.”

How their families reacted: “My parents were impressed with her character and the fact that she was a religious person,” David says. He discovered a few surprises in the wider circles around him: “I had a friend who made racist remarks.” According to Sigal, “I wasn’t the first in the family to date a franji – an Ashkenazi.” David, she says, was received naturally.

Fighting and making up: “I didn’t marry an ethnic group,” David says. “I married Sigal.”

Yemin Orde: A youth village serving mainly the children of recent immigrants and located south of Mount Carmel, close to the Nir Etzion farming cooperative. Established in 1953, it was named after Orde Charles Wingate, a British Christian supporter of Zionism during the 1930s and World War II.

March 2012

THE KANOTOFSKI-WUBA FAMILY

YEMIN ORDE

From left to right: Shahar (10), David (35), Harel (7), Sigal (35) and Maor (3 ½)

How they met: Saliman and Nuha have known each othersince they were children. Their parents are related and liveclose to each other (“20-30 meters apart”). There weren’toriginally supposed to marry. Saliman had someone else inmind. One day a good friend suggested he look closer, butSaliman didn’t get the hint. Only later did he understand,and then he asked her father to work on the matter. Ittook several months. Nuha’s father was in no hurry to givehis daughter’s hand in marriage (“he said, ‘better to thinkon it first’”). This turned out to be a sophisticated way ofmaking sure that Saliman was confident about his choice(“and that I wouldn’t complain later”). Saliman and Nuhadid not exchange one word during their courtship. Theirfirst conversation took place after the wedding ceremony.

Happiness (on a scale of 1-10): Saliman 6-7 (“because ofthe house demolition orders”), Nuha 10.

May 2004

From left to right: Saliman (28),Nuha (26), and Hassan (5).Shakar (3) rests on the mat.

THE ABU ZAID FAMILY

EL JAR VIA

A Bedouin village (not officially recognized bythe Israeli government) near Be’er Sheva.

How they met: Saliman and Nuha have known each other since they were children. Their parents are related and live close to each other (“ 0 30 meters apart”). There weren’t originally supposed to marry. Saliman had someone else in mind. One day a good friend suggested he look closer, but Saliman didn’t get the hint. Only later did he understand, and then he asked her father to work on the matter. It took several months. Nuha’s father was in no hurry to give his daughter’s hand in marriage (“he said, better to think on it first’”). This turned out to be a sophisticated way of making sure that Saliman was confident about his choice (“and that I wouldn’t complain later”). Saliman and Nuha did not e change one word during their courtship. Their first conversation took place after the wedding ceremony.

Happiness (on a scale of 1-10): Saliman (“because of the house demolition orders”), Nuha 10.

May 2004

THE ABU ZAID FAMILY

EL AR IAA Bedouin village (not officially recognized by

the Israeli government) near Be’er Sheva.

From left to right: Saliman (28), Nuha (26), and Hassan (5). Shakar (3) rests on the mat.

His background: Born into a secular Jewish family inBerlin (“we attended synagogue on holidays”), theyoungest of three siblings. His mother was a hat maker(“a seamstress in someone else’s business”); his father(“a World War I pilot”) made a living selling industrialproducts (“glue, for example”). They lived in the suburbof Johannistahl (“a lovely and pleasant place”). When theNazis rose to power, they were forced to relocate to thecenter of the city, and “then it was all over.”

Hers: Born in Baghdad in 1932, the fourth of 10 children;her father owned a printing shop and bookbindery. Thefamily was well-to-do and lived in a large home (“threefloors, 1,200 square meters”) on the shores of the TigrisRiver. Despite the family’s sound financial situation, herparents decided to leave Iraq any way they could (“youcannot imagine our fear as Jews”).

How they met: 1951. One day Rina’s brother Zvi broughthis friend Herbert (“through the dunes”) to his parents’home in the immigrant camp in Bat Yam. Their tent wasextremely crowded, but Herbert was attracted to itswarmth as well as to Rina. On the spot he asked Rina’sfather’s permission to date her (“in those days oneusually wasn’t interested in vus-vus [derogatory term fora European Jew]”).

February 2011

At the dining table:Rina (78) and Hebert (86)

THE NOSEN FAMILY

NETANYA

His background: Born into a secular ewish family in Berlin (“we attended synagogue on holidays”), the youngest of three siblings. His mother was a hat maker (“a seamstress in someone else’s business”); his father (“a World War I pilot”) made a living selling industrial products (“glue, for e ample”). They lived in the suburb of ohannistahl (“a lovely and pleasant place”). When the Nazis rose to power, they were forced to relocate to the center of the city, and “then it was all over.”

Hers: Born in Baghdad in 193 , the fourth of 10 children; her father owned a printing shop and bookbindery. The family was well to do and lived in a large home (“three oors, 1, 00 s uare meters”) on the shores of the Tigris

River. Despite the family’s sound financial situation, her parents decided to leave Ira any way they could (“you cannot imagine our fear as ews”).

How they met: 1951. One day Rina’s brother Zvi brought his friend Herbert (“through the dunes”) to his parents’ home in the immigrant camp in Bat Yam. Their tent was e tremely crowded, but Herbert was attracted to its warmth as well as to Rina. On the spot he asked Rina’s father’s permission to date her (“in those days one usually wasn’t interested in vus vus derogatory term for a European e

February 2011

THE NOSEN FAMILY

NETANYAAt the dining table: Rina (78) and Hebert (86)

Nesting: She always had a boyfriend but never dreamed of a wedding. “I don’t know why,” Shiri says. “And I’ve never felt the need to please others.” All her girlfriends, she says, married and then gave birth, but she did not.Living alone: “There is a difference between being alone and loneliness. Some people live with others and are very isolated.”

December 2010

Shiri with Roni on her lapand Nikka (on the floor)

THE HOLLANDER FAMILY

BAT SHLOMO

Shiri with Roni on her lap and Nikka (on the floor)

Nesting: She always had a boyfriend but never dreamed of a wedding. “I don’t know why,” Shiri says. “And I’ve never felt the need to please others.” All her girlfriends, she says, married and then gave birth, but she did not.

Living alone: “There is a difference between being alone and loneliness. Some people live with others and are very isolated.”

December 2010

THE HOLLANDER FAMILY

BAT SHLOMO

The cast: Reumi (38), Anat (38), Nadav (11), Noga (9), Naama (7) and Ayelet-Ora (3.5).

Recycling: All the food leftovers go to the chickens, the gray water (from showers, laundry) goes to the fruit trees, the kitchen water sustains the vegetable patch and the drainage runoff nourishes the passion flowers.Livelihoods and occupations: Reumi is vice principal of the Ziv Democratic High School for special education in Kishorit (a village for people with special needs), where about 50 people with serious mental disorders, aged 15-21, are living.Anat: A social worker, on Mondays and Wednesdays she works at the community oncology institute in Nazareth, and on Sundays and Tuesdays she visits sick people in Migdal Ha›emek and in Jezreel Valley communities, as part of a home-hospice program (“I don’t call them ‹terminal,’ because the end is also a beginning, only we don’t know of what”). Yodfat - A Galilee community of more than 100 families ,founded in 1960 by Dr. Yosef Schechter and his pupils (“the Schechterites”), who preached Jewish farming and spirituality.

January 2010

THE AGMOR FAMILY

YODFAT

Batya Feder (94) and Judith Suza (35), her Indian caretaker

Batya’s history: She was born in 1914 or 1915 (“I have two birth certificates because I was born during the war and there was no time to register me”) in the city of Bilgoraj in Poland (“near Zamush”). Many of the 5,000 Jews in the city were Hasidic: Belz, Sanz and Gur. Isaac Bashevis Singer was born there. (“I knew him, they called him Bashevis after his mother, Batsheva”). She had a brother and sisters. Another five siblings died in their childhood. (“Whoever caught pneumonia would die; there weren’t any antibiotics.”)To support the family, her family traveled every week to Lamberg (Lvov) to sell wax. Later, he opened a printing shop “and he died from this, because of the lead.”The Holocaust: “In 1947, we still didn’t know. I named by daughter Nehama and not Hannah, my mother’s name. I thought that any minute the door would open and she would enter. We didn’t believe.”Faith: “The Holocaust didn’t affect my faith. Perhaps some questions arose about justice, why such righteous people died, how could they kill Mother?!”

October 2008

BATYA FEDER

BNEI BRAK

In the two countries, Austria and Holland, where the exhibition

wandered from Israel, there were one or two local families that were

photographed and interviewed by Reli and Avner Avrahami and joined

the exhibition beside the Israeli families.

Here are Rinderer family from Austria and Gould-Kemperman family

from Holland:

Participants: From right - Ada (47), Maya (17), Noa (14) and Reinhardt (50)

The house: In the center of town, close to the river, three levels, detached, flat roof. The garden with roses, herbs in the front and vegetables (zucchini, cucumbers, and lettuce) behind, in the back. Biographies: Ada from Ramat Gan, Israel. Her mother from Syria, her father from Hungary, a Holocaust survivor (Auschwitz). Reinhard born in Gotzis, Austria. Both of them studied architecture. Ada at the Technion in Haifa (after serving in the army), Reinhard at the University of Innsbruck.How they met: September 1992, Paris, by chance. It happened in the unique building of the “Cite de la Musique”. She continued her journey to the US, he followed her. After living in Israel, they moved to Austria and got married at 1994. “Life is good”, Ada, “but I am still here on a trial basis”.

February 2013

THE RINDERER FAMILY

DORNBIRN, AUSTRIA

Participants: Adi-J (39), Diego Alonso (42), Tom-lee (almost 8) and Mio (almost 5)

The house: “West Amsterdam”, attached to the ground, with garden out front and yard in the back. Origins: Adi Lev was born in Beer-Sheva, Israel, Diego Alonso Weisbaum was born in Buenos-Aires, Argentina (“but I lived in Israel for 9 years”). They met in Holland in 2000 (“we worked together at El-Al”).Occupations: Diego is an interior architect - Diego Alonso Designs (“mostly bars and restaurants in Holland, and recently in Casablanca”), Adi-J - a DJ and home stylist (“because of Diego”).DJ: plays weekend sets in Holland and clubs abroad (“at least three times a month in countries such as England, Germany, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Israel”), defines her music as “Drum and Bass” influenced by Funk, Afro-Beat, Break-beat, and Reggae. Started her clubbing career at the age of 14 at the “Forum” in Beer-Sheva (“I used to host artists”), spinning records for 19 years, loves her job (“Mad about it”). Happiness (1-10 scale): Adi-9, Diego-8.5.

December 2014

LEV WEISBAUM FAMILY

AMSTERDAM

The Installations

The exhibition presents altogether 81 Photos: 72 family portraits (40x40) in combination with a short version of the interviews, 7 big prints (100x100) with unusual family formats (communities, soldiers, dormitories…) and to wallpapers (200x200), combined with living room installations, where TV reports on the project run on a Screen and a library invites to further study. The two wallpapers present a Jewish-Israeli and an Arab-Israeli family.The exhibition can be adjusted to the local space.

Technical information:

76 photographs (format 40x40 cm), mounted on Forex 72 photographs (format 40x53 cm), mounted on Forex 72 text panels (format 40x40 cm), mounted on Forex7 photographs (format 100x100 cm), framed6 text panels (format 20x20 cm), mounted on Forex2 photographs (format 200x200 cm – have to produced for each location)2 text panels with texts by Avner Avrahami and Galia Gur Zeev (53x70 / 53x48 cm) 1 reproduction of Haaretz (with translation)4 wooden cubes, white (70x50x40 cm)2 audio stations (two ear phones each, for long version of two interviews) 1 videoscreen (TV report about the project on Israeli TV)2 bookshelfs2 sofas

Wooden racks for the installation of photographsJewish Museum Hohenems, Austria 2013

Familienaufstellung Jewish Museum Hohenems, Austria 2013

Family Affair Castrum Peregrini, Amsterdam 2015

For contact:

Dr. Hanno Loewy - [email protected]

Galia Gur Zeev - [email protected]

Reli Avrahami - [email protected]

Matzav Mishpachti Eretz Israel Museum, Tel-Aviv 2012