37. March 18 – April 1, 2009
Jews in Arab Lands: A Living Legacy – Photographs by Jordan Cassway
Jordan Cassway began his photographic career as part of his Masters studies focusing on children and childhood in the Middle East. Subsequently, in 1996, he was invited to return to Israel to be an Artist-in-Residence at the Arad Arts Project in the northern Negev desert of Israel where he focused on photography and poetry.
While at Arad Jordan was involved in three group shows; in Arad, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Jordan’s photographs were the focus of a museum show for the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies on Arab-American Immigrants in Philadelphia, in 1999-2000. He is a free- lance photographer, is married and is a father.
DESCRIPTION: The Temple Judea Museum has gathered objects, from its permanent collection, that reflect Jewish Life in Arab Lands. In addition, photographer Jordan Cassway will display photographs from his visits to Tunisia and Israel and will speak about his adventures.
Since the time of Abraham, the Jews have been known as a Wandering People. Throughout history we have made our homes in many foreign lands. These sojourns among different peoples and cultures have had an influence upon our own traditions, art, and music. For many generations Jews were permanent residents of Arab lands, however, since the establishment of the modern State of Israel we have witnessed the exodus of Jews from these long time havens. The best known migration was Operation Magic Carpet from Yemen in l949. Other Jews from Arabic countries have been forced to flee their homes in Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Kurdistan for resettlement in the land of Israel and in other countries.
