The intention

Photographer John Offenbach briefly explains the genesis of his project to photograph Jewish people from many countries.

by John Offenbach

22nd June 2022

Text only episode

Jewish Multiculturalism

Listen to all episodes

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

"John Offenbach's project for the photography book, Jew, is largely inspired by August Sander's People of the 20th Century."

A number of years ago whilst on an assignment in Brooklyn, New York, in a casual conversation, I discovered to my surprise that there were up to 20 Jews on death row. And while discussing the polemical question, ‘where is normal?’ I realised the answer resided with the ordinary as well as the extraordinary. In order to properly reflect on this group of people it had to include not just the great and the good, but also the homeless Jew as well as the rich Jew. The incarcerated Jew as well as the law abiding, the religious as well as the secular. As much of life’s miscellany as I could.

The project has taken four years and to date I have been to twelve countries including Azerbaijan, Argentina, China, India, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Austria and Morocco. Each portrait is titled not by a name but rather a job or another qualifier. So for example; Spy, Rape Victim, Nobel Laureate, Refuse Collector. An unadorned snapshot that challenges the received view of world Jewry.