This year, I went back to New York and revisited Rabbi Yoni Katz. He welcomed me enthusiastically into his home to meet the family and show me what it takes to maintain and Jewish home.

I also met with Rivky, Yoni's wife who also welcomes people from outside the community on to tours around the neighbourhood. Rivky tells me about how Hasidic Jews meet their partners and the role of motherhood in the religion. She talked about the yearning of a woman holding the family together.

Brocha, Rivky's mother, takes us to her favourite room of the house, The Kosher Kitchen, and tells us what makes food 'Kosher'.

Watch the first video, HANGING WITH HASIDICS here:    • Jewish life in New York: HANGING WITH...  

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Rabbi Yoni Katz takes us on a journey around his Crown Heights, an area in Brooklyn know for both the growing Hasidic community and their newer hipster locals. Rabbi Yoni has chosen a path to "Unite the Beards", taking anyone who is interested on a guided tour around this often seen as closed part of the neighbourhood.

Rabbi Yoni Katz wants to show the true life and character of this neighbourhood and to bring the communities living there closer. On the tour we were taken to the main synagogue 770 Eastern Parkway as well as to local homes and the main streets, interviewing as we went. The tours are run by himself and his wife and teach the customs and traditions to anyone who wishes to join them to learn about their neighbours.

Filmed in New York 2022

Book at tour at:
https://www.jewishbrooklyn.nyc/

Unmask The Secrets of Hasidic Brooklyn — Airbnb Experience
https://abnb.me/H9BHxsilNab

Filmed and edited by Marcus Hessenberg
https://www.hessenbergproductions.com
http://www.marcushessenberg.com

Marcus Hessenberg is a London based British photographer and filmmaker focusing on both fashion editorials and documentaries. Ranging from interviews to fashion films, highlighting the diversity of life in the world.