Rachael Cerrotti
Photojournalist
Israel: The Old City
This is my final post from my recent series on Israel. In a little less than two weeks I will be heading back to spend a month and a half doing some documentary work (more details to come). Please enjoy these last images from the Old City.
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Israel: The Western Wall
The Western Wall, also known as the Kotel, is the most sacred site recognized by the Jewish faith aside for the Temple Mount itself. It is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the Western side of the Temple Mount and is a remnant of the ancient wall that surrounded the Jewish Temple’s courtyard. It dates back to around 19 BCE. At this point in time, it is a destination for many Jews to come pray at. At almost any hour of the day, you will find anywhere from a couple of people to thousands praying and connecting with their Judaism.
Next Post: May 26. The Old City
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Israel: Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, has been the most important pilgrimage destination for Christians since as early as the 4th century. It is believed that this is the spot where Jesus was crucified and is now buried. Today the building is shared between several Christian churches and secular entities.
Next Post: May 25. The Kotel
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Israel: The Muslim Quarter
Here are some photos taken in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City in Jerusalem. Full of shops, great restaurants, and culture, this area of Jerusalem is one of my favorites to walk around in. Many of the ancient roads are quiet only spotted with a person here and there and some are bustling, stocked full of storefronts and shoppers. Heading into this quarter, there are two items that I recommend you spend your money on — fresh kenafeh (a Palestinian sweet made of very fine vermicelli-like pastry) and fresh spices.
Next Post: May 21. The Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City
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Israel: On The Streets Of Jerusalem
Next Post: May 18. The Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City
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Israel: Rally Against Racism
My good friend and I were on a leisurely walk through Jerusalem when we came upon this rally. Upon seeing the massive amount of people waving flags and holding signs, we immediately were intrigued to find out what this protest was regarding. What we had stumbled upon was a rally against racism. There is a very large Ethiopian population in Israel, comprising of over 120,000. Many in this community immigrated to the country under the Law of Return during Operation Moses (1984), Operation Sheba (1985), and Operation Solomon (1991). This rally was to raise awareness about equality amongst the races in Israel. It was held on Martin Luther King Day.
Next Post: May 14. Jerusalem Street Shots
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Israel: Har Herzl
I am approaching the final sections of my weekly blog posts about Israel. Lucky for me, I will be back in Israel in exactly a month and look forward to continuing to document the unique country. I have saved the area of Jerusalem to be the final parts of this series of blog posts. Jerusalem, as many people know, is an area of heightened controversy in terms of Israel having peace with her neighbors. Unlike any other place, Jerusalem is home to three major religions and many historically significant spots which sometimes leads to clashing cultures and opposing opinions. Please keep an open mind while viewing the upcoming entries (which will be mon-wed-fri) and remember that I am only showing what I have seen and witnessed. There will always be pieces to a culture that are not being presented and it is important to remember that.
The first entry in the Jerusalem series are photos of Har Herzl (“Har” meaning “Mount” in Hebrew). Named after Theodore Herzl, the father of modern political Zionism, the national cemetery lies on the west side of Jerusalem. Yad Vashem, which commemorates the Holocaust, sits next to the cemetery. Har Herzl has served as Israel’s national cemetery since 1951 when a government decision was made to establish a cemetery for Israeli leaders and fallen soldiers. Three of Israel’s prime ministers are buried there — Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, and Yitzhak Rabin — as well as many other prominent Jewish and Zionist leaders.
The reflection of the cemetery is seen in a pair of sunglasses
Stones are traditionally placed on top of Jewish graves
A soldiers grave
An Israeli soldier walks through the cemetery
A grave illuminated by the sun
Next Post: May 9. Rally against Racism
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Wicked Local: April
Over the past month I have started working for Wicked Local. Here are a few photos from my first few weeks of assignments (some being outtakes and some used for publication).
Maynard softball players march in the Little League Parade which celebrates the beginning of the 2012 season.
Ada Woolston, of Bolton, spins Angora Wool into yarn during the Spring Agriculture Sale at Slater’s. The sale was sponsored by the Bolton Agricultural Commission.
Volunteers in Concord use puppets during the annual River Ceremony which recognizes Earth Day
Josh Burgel and his son Zachary Scopinich-Burgel, 2, enjoy the River Ceremony during Concord’s Earth Day celebration.
Sean Clark, from the Diablow Glass School in Mission Hill, gives a glass blowing demonstration at the Arts & Environment Festival. The Festival was held on the Emerson Umbrella grounds in Concord.
A local man sells balloons and cold beverages during the Patriot’s Day Parade in Arlington.
A local man sells bubbles during the Patriot’s Day Parade in Arlington.
Israel: Camel Rides
One of my favorite tourist activities I have done in Israel is spending a night at a Bedouin camp. On every Birthright trip, the group spends an evening sharing a huge tent in the middle of the Negev Desert. It is by far one of the best nights of the trip for many participants and it adds an extra level of adventure to the 10-day tour. My most favorite aspect of this stop is the camel rides. There is just something about those arrogant animals that thoroughly entertains me.
Next Post: May 7. Mount Herzl
