100 GATES - The Fire Ceremony

the ultra-orthodox in Jerusalem lives in a strict community, enclosed in old and narrow streets. this place is called - "100 GATES" lights exist in many religious ceremonies. for example, every Saturday candles are lit to separate the holy day from the rest of the week. but once a year, in the beginning of the summer, the fire ceremony happens out in the open air. the streets are closed for cars for that evening. large elevated fire pits are prepared for hours with curiosity from people all around. children love this holiday. they are singing and dancing with their friends and fathers around the fire. throwing oil and papers to keeps the fire on is highly regarded for good fortune. in some places the celebrations go on all night until the next morning. The religious Jews have an obligatory dress code. even by the fire in hot days, men wear suits and overcoats with felt or fur hats. woman covers everything but their faces with black fabric at all times. like other parts of the orthodox ways of life, here too there is a gender separation. women are not allowed to be active participants, so they are watching from balconies and beyond fences. The camera helped me to explore social habits and reveal interactions, but on the other hand, its presence caused people to hide even more. i was always respectful to the local traditions, but it wasn't always pleasant, because in general, strangers are not that welcome in that closed community, certainly not photographers.