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Documentary Photography and Photojournalism by Ben Eden

Chanukah '98

September 6 to November 6, 1999 at The Jewish Museum in Prague

Sponsored by the Prague Jewish Community

In 1998, Chanukah celebrations in Prague were preceded by something special: The first Zsadakah Ball since before the occupation in 1938. This charitable ball was also remarkable by its setting: The Rudolph Gallery at the Prague Castle, the Czech Republic's most prestigious official reception hall. The rich, diverse and intense atmosphere of the ball was the impetus for me to go ahead and document the entire Chanukah celebrations across Prague's Jewish Community. It was well worth the effort.

My special thanks go to Petra Vinarova and Stepan Kovarik of the Jewish Museum in Prague for their kind and quick assistance in creating the exhibition.

Prague Chabad Rabbi Manis Barash lights the huge outdoor Chanukiah (Hanukiah, Menorah) on Prague's Male namesti to celebrate the first day of Chanukah (Hanukah).

Menorah Lighting, Male Square

An orthodox Jewish man tenderly whispers in the ear of his wife while they stand in Male namesti, Prague, Czech Republic, waiting for the Chanukiah (Hanukiah, Menorah) to be lit as Chanukah (Hanukah) starts.

Menorah Lighting, Male Square

An older Jewish couple stands on Male namesti, waiting for the big outdoor Menorah to be lit while Rabbi Manis Barash stands in the bacground at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Menorah Lighting, Male Square

A Jewish double base player plays klezmer jazz while two young Jewish women listen, poised on the piano during a Chanukah (Hanukah) ball in Prague, Czech Republic

Charity Ball, Prague Castle
A Jewish young man holds his partner while she lifts her skirt during an impromptu dance at a Chanukah (Hanukah) charity ball held in the Rudolph Gallery at Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle

 		Three young Czech Jewish women smoke Pall Mall cigarettes and chat at a Chanukah (Hanukah) ball given in the Rudolf Gallery at Prague Castle. Shade behind is cast by statue of Tomas (Thomas) Garrigue Masaryk.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle
A pretty Jewish girl stands pensively while her father holds a conversation with a woman at Chanukah (Hanukah) charity ball held in the Rudolph Gallery at Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle

 		A Jewish young man kisses his fiance while his mother watches in the background at a Chanukah (Hanukah) charity ball held in the Rudolph Gallery at Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle
An old Jewish woman queues up for refreshments at a Chanukah (Hanukah) charity ball held in the Rudolph Gallery at Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle

 		Two Jewish women resting, showing their backs to the camera at a Chanukah (Hanukah) charity ball held in the Rudolph Gallery at Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle
Young Jewish woman in a bare-back dress watches a gentleman make a face at Chanukah (Hanukah) charity ball held in the Rudolph Gallery at Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle

 		Three Jewish girls - two smiling and one sad, on the verge of tears - at a Chanukah (Hanukah) charity ball held in the Rudolph Gallery at Prague Castle, Czech Republic.

Charity Ball, Prague Castle
A Prague Jewish boy lifts his hand to answer a Chanukah (Hanukah) quiz question while two smaller boys stand by dazzled.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room

 		A little Jewish boy with long, curly hair, in lace-up jeans pants, reaches at a big antique bronze Menorah while his father holds his other hand at the children's Chanukah (Hanukah) party at the Prague Jewish Community.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room
Two Jewish boys wearing kippa attempt to kick other kids in the behind at a Chanukah (Hanukah) children's party held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room

 		Two Jewish girls hold a confidential conversation during a Chanukah (Hanukah) Party for children in the Prague Jewish Community.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room
Jewish children - two girls and two boys in kippa - play during a Chanukah (Hanukah) party in Prague Jewish community.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room

 		A girl sitting at a table watching the action surrounded by her grandparents at a Chanukah (Hanukah) children's party held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room
Jewish children - twin sisters, a boy and a little girl held by her mother at a Chanukah (Hanukah) children's party held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room

 		Two Jewish boys raising their hands, eager to answer a Judaica quiz question at a Chanukah (Hanukah) children's party held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room
Two little Jewish girls look up with interest at a Chanukah (Hanukah) party, organized by Prague Jewish Community.

Children's Party, Community Dining Room

 		A Czech Jewish Holocaust survivor lights up the Chanukiah (Hanukiah, Menorah) in celebration of Chanukah (Hanukah) at Prague Hebrew Ulpan while students watch and Israeli flags hang around.

Chanukah Party, Hebrew Ulpan

An attractive Jewish young man wearing silver jewellery holds a cigarette theatrically while he's smoking at a table at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Chanukah Party, Community Building

 		A beautiful young Czech Jewish woman with long black hair looks astray while holding two sufganias (donuts) at a Prague Jewish Community Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration.

Chanukah Party, Community Building
An older Jewish couple wearing glasses, the man smokina a cigarette, at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Chanukah Party, Community Building

 		A well-dressed older Jewish couple sitting at a table close to each other at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Chanukah Party, Community Building
Middle-aged Prague Jewish woman smiles in anticipation while a young couple watches in background on the dance floor at a Chanukah (Hanukah) party in the Community.

Chanukah Party, Community Building

 		Older Jewish man in a white kippa holds the hand of his daughter across the table at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Chanukah Party, Community Building
Czech Jewish boy wearing black glasses, carefully groomed and formally dressed holds his fist to his chin as he contemplates the dancing scene at a Prague Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration. An older couple dances in the background.

Chanukah Party, Community Building

 		Two Jewish girls look at each other in the mirror while their photograph is being taken at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Chanukah Party, Community Building
Old Jewish woman looks up from her table at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration held in Prague, Czech Republic Jewish Community's eating hall.

Chanukah Party, Community Building

 		Prague Jewish mother talks to her walkman-wearing teenage son while her other child tugs at her dress for attention at a Chanukah (Hanukah) celebration.

Chanukah Party, Community Building

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