*** PRESENTATIONS MENU ***

(book one or more for a single event)

(list of speaking engagements -- opens on my JewishPhotoLibrary website)

 

For BOOKINGS and INQUIRIES, CONTACT ME.

 

 

THE JEWS OF AFRICA: LOST TRIBES. FOUND COMMUNITIES. EMERGING FAITHS.
Since the time of Abraham and his wanderings in Egypt, the Jewish people have had a presence in Africa making some communities the oldest in the world. This interactive presentation delineates some of that history while taking viewers on a virtual journey through a photographic project that took me to 30 countries across the continent. The presentation spotlights emerging Black Jewish groups in Uganda, Cameroon, and Ghana as well as the historical orthodox community of Djerba, Tunisia, and...wait for it...a yeshiva in the Congo under the supervision of Chabad-Lubavitch of Central Africa in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Viewers are also treated to two short videos featuring synagogues of Africa and Jewish life in Africa.

BOOK (paperback and ebook): The Jews of Africa: Lost Tribes. Found Communities. Emerging Faiths.

 

THE JEWS OF AFRICA: A FUNNY THING OR TWO HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE PYRAMIDS

This presentation takes viewers on a virtual journey through a Jewish Africa photographic project that took me to 30 countries across the continent. This Jewish Africa safari was not without its challenges and moments of amusement. Audience members are treated to several of the many anecdotes behind the photographs. Viewers are also treated to two short videos featuring synagogues of Africa and Jewish life in Africa.

 

LIFE BEFORE THE HOLOCAUST: PORTRAITS OF CHARACTER
This presentation is a photographic celebration of personality and identity that thaws the invariable freeze-frame of history within which survivors are portrayed. Photographer Jono David’s portraits reveal layers of joy, success, and memories that weave a life together. In this presentation, Jono delineates the aims of his project, contrasts his work to that of other photographers, and challenges the audience members to recalibrate their survivor impressions. The audience will also hear directly from five survivors in a short video.

BOOK (paperback and ebook): Life Before the Holocaust: Portraits of Character

A STRANGER WITH A CAMERA: PHOTOGRAPHING THE JEWISH WORLD

On this slideshow presentation, the audience is guided on a visual trek through the backstory of my life as a Jewish photographic documentarian. This virtual expedition shares insights, motivations, and anecdotes behind the scenes of my Jewish photographic work over the last two decades.

 

JEWISH JAPAN: FROM MIDDLE EAST TO FAR EAST
This presentation pulls on the unlikely Jewish threads woven into the silky sleeves of this traditional yet hyper-advanced society. In fact, Japan has been home since 1994. The slideshow/talk includes both historical and contemporary images and commentary.

 

CEUTA and MELILLA: A PART OF AFRICA, APART FROM AFRICA
The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla are politically European but geographically African. This presentation is a journey through the historical backstory of Jewish life in these specs of jealously guarded land contentiously termed Spanish Morocco as well as a glimpse into life there today.

 

DJEWISH DJERBA: AN ANCIENT COMMUNITY VERSUS THE MODERN WORLD
Jews have been in Tunisia since the Carthaginian Empire ruled northern Africa between 814 B.C. and 146 B.C. Today, there still remains a devoutly orthodox community on the island of Djerba, a stone’s throw off the southeast coast of the country. This presentation is a veritable journey back in time to this relatively isolated community that clings to ancient traditions while keeping at bay the encroaching forces of the modern world.

 

ERITREA: A ONE-MAN JEWISH COMMUNITY
Can a single individual maintain the fragments of a once small but thriving Jewish community? Indeed, can one man even be considered a community at all? This presentation introduces Sami Cohen, the so-called “Last Jew of Eritrea”, and his one-man crusade to keep the Jewish faith alive in this obscure eastern African country.

 

 

*** NOTES APPLICABLE TO ALL PRESENTATIONS ***

 

PRESENTATION STYLE: All presentations are informal in style meaning that I will not be giving a "lecture" nor will I speak as an authority on the history, culture, or religion of the Jewish people. Rather, I will present a slideshow "exhibition" and share personal stories and insights about my Jewish photographic experiences and projects. A certain amount of historical and cultural information will be included for context, however. I encourage and welcome audience participation by way of the sharing of their own Jewish travel experiences, their personal knowledge on a relevant subject, and their comments. Q & A sessions can be held at the completion of the presentations.

 

LENGTH of PRESENTATIONS: Approximately 45~60 minutes (plus additional time for post-Q&A).

 

LANGUAGE: English. Simultaneous translations are permitted, however.

 

AUDIENCE: Ages 16+

 

NOTE: Presentations are subject to minor adjustments, but the overall themes and formats will remain unchanged.

 

EQUIPMENT / PROJECTION / SET UP:
- MY COMPUTER: Apple MacBook Pro computer; VGA adapter; remote control switch (to activate the slideshow).

- VENUE MUST PROVIDE: Projection system, electrical power cords and source, extension cords, adapters (if necessary), microphone (if necessary), a podium or suitable place on which to set my computer (the computer must face me within a few feet)

- MUSIC (P.A.): There are brief slideshows with music and/or speaking incorporated into the presentations. Therefore, there must be a sound system to project the music (ideally that plugs directly into my computer headphone jack; this jack may perhaps be attached to the projection system VGA cord). There is no music when I am speaking.

 

FEES: Negotiable. Fees are based on various factors including (but not limited to) who is booking (e.g. synagogue, school, organization) as well as if the event is free to enter or with purchased tickets.

 

BOOKING MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS FOR ONE EVENT: Booking 2+ presentations for one event is possible. Please inquire.

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LIVE EVENT: Zoom sessions may not be recorded. All presentations are live events only.

 

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For BOOKINGS and INQUIRIES, CONTACT ME.