Objects

The photograph documents a wedding in the Solicht family in the town of Petach Tikva in Israel. Despite the closed nature of the Hasidic community, one can see a duality in the approach to, among other things, dress. The couple's family and the groom wear clothing characteristic of Hasidic Jews. Men wear a distinctive headgear - shtrayml (Yiddish: שטרײַמל; also: shtraymel, shtreymel), i.e. a voluminous cylindrical cap covered with fur, and khallat – a long black coat (worn by male family members in the photograph). For women, apart from the headgear, there are no specific, distinctive elements. Dress, however, is meant to express the overriding principle of modesty – a woman, even at a large celebration, should not draw attention to herself. Also, jewellery is limited to small earrings and a single string of pearls. The exception is the bride's attire, who is dressed according to Western standards – in a striking, ornate white gown and wearing a tiara on her head. Despite the tendency of the Hasidic community to separate itself in order to minimise the influence of customs and behaviour conflicting with Orthodox principles - the infiltration of customs from outside the community is present. Note the hands arranged in the shape of a heart, which is clearly linked to Western European customs.

Other photographs from this wedding: MPOLIN-M1557, MPOLIN-M1558, MPOLIN-M1559, MPOLIN-M1560, MPOLIN-M1561).

MBK, AW