On Yom Kippur, I went to...

On Yom Kippur, I went to a service at Temple Isaiah to photograph

people gathered on the Jewish day of atonement. I had never actually

seen a service of this kind and sat quietly, watching and listening.

I am not Jewish. I wasn’t sure what I could photograph. Some

places say their religious services can’t be photographed. Others say

“take pictures of anything you want.”

I abide by whatever the rabbi, minister, reverend or other faith

leader thinks is appropriate.

I waited and Rabbi Marc Rubenstein gave me the nod. Peter Small

donned a costume of Jonah to perform a special presentation they do

each year. I was free to walk around the church and take pictures,

being careful not to offend anyone.

No one seemed to mind making my job easier as I walked the aisles

and smiled a lot. To line up Jonah and the Star of David hanging on

the wall, I had to kneel right in front. Hopefully, I didn’t offend

anyone. After all, the picture was meant to show the celebration and

contemplation of the holiday.

-- Don Leach