/my Wall by Joan Roth.
A Native Returns
With Jewish Photos
JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER
oan Roth has taken her cam-
role of women in Judaism. Shot-ft,-
era around the world, pho-
after learning about p42....topian
Jews, she nw.L....fangements to
tographing everything from
tray' 'v Alma and photograph
bag ladies on the streets of
mem for the first time in 1983.
New York to Jews living iTs
"The Jews of Ethiopia were ex-
Ethiopia.
traordinary," Ms. Roth said."They
Now Ms. Roth in bringing her
are a beautiful people living under
photos, incP-'1g her most recent
pry; ,,_., ., -- Jewish Women," por-
difficult circumstances. Listening
Exalts of Jewish women from
to them read Torah from the top of
around the world —
a mountain and
to the Maple-Drake
watching them
Jewish Community
pray was absolute-
"The Jews of
Center beginning
ly fascinating."
Ethiopia
Feb. 10. She will be
Ms. Roth also
the featured speak-
has photographed
were
er at the opening
Jewish, Christian,
night reception and
Arab and Bedouin
extraordinary."
her exhibit, "Vi-
women in Israel
Joan Roth and Jewish women
sions," will be on
display through
in places like Rus-
March 3.
sia, India and
Ms. Roth, now a New Yorker,
Eastern Europe.
grew up in Detroit and graduated
"What struck me the most was
from Mumford High School. Al-
that women from different cultures
though her original career interests
were all Jewish and followed Jew-
were in film, Ms. Roth felt she need-
ish tradition, but the influences of
ed to "know photography to know
their cultures were also present,"
filmmaking," but became hooked
said Ms. Roth, who photographs
on the single-photographed image.
Jewish women because "when you
She became fascinated by Jew-
see photos of Jews, it's usually a
ish culture, Jewish identity and the
man with a beard."
Photographer Joan Roth
_ Ms. Roth, who began her career
25 years ago, also has documented
the women's movement and wrote
and photographed "Bag Ladies of
New York," which resulted in the
first report on the homeless in 1973
and led to the first government task
force to help them.
Her photos have been displayed
around the world, including Swe-
den, Israel, Paris, New York and
Chicago. ❑