From Genesis to Exodus

LIMINAL SPACE FROM GENESIS TO EXODUS

This year has been weird for everyone, but especially marginalised communities. People are naturally not made to be alone for so long, we need socialisation, conversation, and joy. Communities all over the world have had to change the way they worship and celebrate since gathering in large groups is prohibited. For the Jewish community this meant that the high holidays were spent alone when normally they’d be spent surrounded by friends and family. The synagogues have been closed for months, so how have we stayed connected to our culture, community, and beliefs when everything we usually do has been taken away from us? We spoke to members of the Jewish community all over the UK to discuss how their religious life has changed over Lockdown Georgia’s experience of Lockdown has been one experienced by many people in this country; one of sadness and grief. She lost her Granddad last year, and so her grandmother Audrey had to move in with Georgia so she wasn’t alone. The house Audrey once called home is now frozen in time, from a moment when her husband was still here. Georgia and her mum have been slowly returning to the house to organise things that Audrey has collected years. Through doing this, they found a collection of Judaica; from Shalom ashtrays and Jewish books, to religious jewellery and copies of the Jewish telegraph. Audrey’s house has become a liminal space, but a liminal space with so much history to discover. Each item she has kept has meaning to her, religiously, personally, or sentimentally

An essay by Georgia Taylor

“My relationship with Judaism has mostly been positive. I felt more involved as a child than I do now. I went to King David from the age of 4-18, which is a Jewish school, but I’ve never been religious. I always say that I consider myself a Jewish atheist, because even though I’ve never practiced Judaism I still feel a connection to it. At school we’d dress up every Purim, we had a seder every Pesach, and they gave out amazing doughnuts on Hanukkah. So, I have great memories of celebrating the holidays with my friends. Unfortunately, we would often experience anti-Semitism from the school around the corner which has made me very protective of Judaism. It definitely feels like more of an identity than a religion for me. However, I do have some bitterness towards it as well. It’s a very patriarchal religion when you look at the orthodox values and traditions. My grandma’s dad disowned her when she married my granddad, who wasn’t Jewish. She never saw her dad after that, and he never met my mum before he died. That archaism is the part I’ll always resent.” “My grandma was never religious, but I have some great memories of being in her house and seeing little Jewish trinkets dotted around. Me and my younger brother would go round for tea with her and my granddad quite a lot after school. Clearing out their house has been very emotional and nostalgic, especially since my granddad passed. And especially because he never threw anything away! My grandma let me keep the dressing table from the bedroom I used to sleep in as a kid. I would sit at it and imagine getting ready while I rooted through drawers full of buttons and scarves.”

“It’s strange how the things I used to dislike about the house I kind of love now. The wooden panelling on the walls seemed so dated, and now it’s weird to think someone will rip them off and start over. They had hardly decorated since the 70s. So, in all my memories the house will forever look the same - it’s kind of a collection of memories frozen in time.”

“Those who are worn out and crushed by this mourning, let your hearts consider this: This is the path that has existed from the time of creation and will exist forever. Many have drunk from it and many will yet drink. As was the first meal, so shall be the last. May the master of comfort comfort you. Blessed are those who comfort the mourners.” - Jewish Blessing of the Mourners

Epitaph By Merrit Malloy

When I die Give what’s left of me away To children And old me that wait to die.

And if you need to cry, Cry for your brother Walking the street beside you. And when you need me, Put your arms Around anyone And give them What you need to give to me.

I want to leave you something, Something better Than words Or sounds.

Look for me In the people I’ve known Or loved, And if you cannot give me away, At least let me live on in your eyes And not your mind.

You can love me most By letting Hands touch hands, By letting bodies touch bodies, And by letting go Of children That need to be free.

Love doesn’t die, People do. So, when all that’s left of me Is love.

Photography & Styling: Thalia Traynor. Model: Georgia Taylor