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.

In Part Three, Yoni took me back to 770 Eastern Parkway, the central synagogue of the Lubavitch movement that came to New York after the war from Europe. it was the day after Passover and the room was full of people doing their morning prayers. I noticed everyone was wearing these little black boxes on their head and arms and Yoni, being Yoni, grabbed his friend who explained to me that these boxes are called Tefillin, and contain extracts of the Torah.

And so Yoni decided to take me to the Hasofer, the Scribe. The rooms were empty as it was the day after Passover, but we had free reign to look at the range of Torahs that sat on the shelves waiting for repair. If one letter is smudged, it means the Torah is no longer Kosher and must be inspected and corrected.

Watch the first video, HANGING WITH HASIDICS here:    • Jewish life in New York: HANGING WITH...  
Watch Episode 2 MEET THE FAMILY:    • INSIDE THE HOME OF AN ORTHODOX JEWISH...  

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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

Meet Yoni's family!
   • INSIDE THE HOME OF AN ORTHODOX JEWISH...  


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
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.