By COLlive reporter
Seeing life in the holy city of Chevron up close is a rarity, or risk, not everyone takes.
A new coffee-table photo album brings the sights and images of daily life in Chevron for viewing in the safe comfort of your living-room.
70 full color pages are filled with portraits of Israel Defense Soldiers stationed in the volatile city and of the activities of Chabad of Chevron for them and the Jewish residents living under threat.
“Just saying the name Chevron conjures up images of violence, strife, stones and glass bottles,” says Levik Hertzel, the Lubavitcher photographer who is publishing the book and frequently contributes to COLlive.com.
“But this is not the Hebron I know and lived in, on and off for the past few years,” he says. “Chevron Hebron was ever meant to be.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, Hertzel grew up with a strong connection to Israel. After his marriage, he and his wife Feigy(nee Berns) lived in Chevron for 6 months before moving back to the U.S. and settling in Houston, Texas (with a dream to return to Chevron soon).
He notes that the name Chevron is derived from the word Chibur which means unity and connection.
The connection begins with our patriarch Avraham, who purchased the cave of Mearas Hamachpaila there, and it is the first place that Yitzchak saw his wife while he was praying Mincha for the first time. It is also where Yaakov raised his children who would ultimately be the tribes of Israel.
“Chevron is about uniting the spiritual energies out there into one powerful force of good,” he says. “Sadly, however, this is not the Chevron portrayed in the media today. Which is why I set about capturing the sites and soldiers with a few words on what life and Chevron mean to them.”
Part of the proceeds of the sales will be going to support Chabad of Chevron, led by Shliach Rabbi Danny Cohen. During his stay in Chevron, Hertzel assisted Cohen in his activities and says he was deeply moved by his devotion and care.
“I hope readers will enjoy this journey to the holy city with me and take away a newfound understanding and feeling of what Chevron really is,” he says.
For more info and to order the book, visit levikfoto.com
cant wait for my copy to arrive
And it is BEAUTIFUL! Must buy!
Excuse me, but Chevron as all Israel is safe.Eretz Israel is the SAFEST place, that is what it says in the pasuk, if you believe in Divine Providence.
Stop putting nonsense in your articles.
If you have trouble with that then at least don’t spread misinformation.
This book is truly a beautiful portrayal of the real Chevron and the spirit of the soldiers protecting it. This is a wonderful way to support chabad of chevron and the photographer who is sharing the message with the world!
The book is already shipping.
You can order it at Levikfoto.com/store
Thanks
can’t wait to buy the book! keep us posted
Levi is eagerly awaiting your donation for his move back to Chevron.
and return to Tzion with RACHAMIM.
I would love to buy this looks incredible. When will it be available I israel?
Something everyone should be connected to and want to have. Where can one buy this?
so what is Moshiach waiting for?
The pictures are beautiful, and these chayalim are true heros – putting one’s life on the line takes a lot more courage than lip-service.
If you dream of returning to live in Hebron – move. It takes a lot of inner strength to live there permanently (and there’s a waiting list – for people who are ready to move). You can always, settle in Kiryat Arba next door and spend your extra time in Hebron. It’s not a long walk….
Wow super impressed. Chevron will finally be known internationally for positive reasons. #GoLevik