Sip n Slam | Poets at the Olney

The Olney Theatre Center recently staged an evening of poetry mc'ed and curated by Simply Sherri. 

Featured performers were Megan Rickman Blackwood, Black Root, Regie Cabico, and Carlynn Newhouse, Analysis, plus several dynamic open mike performers. 

These folks were on fire. It was an evening of mind and heart enhancing performance and verbal pyrotechnics.

Thanks to Joshua Ford of the Olney for the assignment.

Poets and rare books

I photographed noted poets Annie Finch and Kiki Petrosino reading their work at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Also on display were a set of rare books about witchcraft, including a First Folio opened to the spell scene in Macbeth.

Thanks to Teri Cross Davis, poetry coordinator at the Folger, for this assignment.

Every heart weeps its own sad chorus

From my Polaroid journal, 1997

Consciousness Revealed

From my Polaroid journal, 1992.

Days of Awe/Yom Kippur | Circles Within Circles

I recently completed this new digital collage for the series "Circles Within Circles: Jewish Time Frames" a project done in collaboration with poet Sherri Waas Shunfenthal.

It marks the Jewish practice of humility, repentance, and reflection during the Days of Awe, the period leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The components of the piece are: a chasidic fiddler I photographed outside the Old City of Jerusalem in 2014, roses, daisies, and some purple flower (pachysandra?) from my garden, a lotus blossom from the Aquatic Garden in DC, a friends eye (Mimi Xang Ho), eagle’s wings (nesharim in Hebrew), the Star of David I wear around my neck, a day-glo hamsa I adapted/altered, red thread from a beggar/shnorrer in Jerusalem, NASA photographs of the Earth and some galaxies, fire, a rainbow over Hawaii I made some years back, the words “kadosh kadosh kadosh” in Hebrew (tucked in amongst the daisies), waves in North Carolina from decades ago, a seagull I photographed in Istanbul two years ago, and another seascape. The stone background I photographed a couple of years back. I created the rainbow effect on the fiddler's black hat, also.

Bibbity Bobbity Boo

I encountered this message in the 400 block of M Street NW, Washington DC.

My Shakespeare story / Folger Shakespeare Library

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC has a terrific program in which people share their personal experiences with the Bard.

While on assignment with them recently, I recounted my early memories of hearing Hamlet's "To be or not to be " soliloquy in German, from my father.

And.. thank you to Garland Scott of the Folger for her creative energies and great spirit.

Seniors Got Talent- at the ARC

Some of the performers from the Seniors Got Talent fundraising showcase for TERRIFIC Inc. at the ARC, in Southeast Washington DC.

Talent? Indeed they do.

Love ( new union)

Outtake from a wedding I recently photographed, of Ben and Luana Rubin.

Love.

Herman Taube z'l, Yiddish poet

I had the privilege of photographing the wonderful Yiddish poet, Herman Taube some years ago. Born in Lodz, Poland in 1918, he passed away yesterday. He was a survivor of the Holocaust, and a military veteran of the conflict. He was a totally charming living repository of Yiddish language and culture.

May his good name be remembered for a blessing.

A poem can be found here, and a biography here. His many books are available on Amazon.

"I live on a reserve of burdensome memories amassed in dark times. They are the power that excites, provokes, and stimulates my actions."—Herman Taube

Assignment for Enterprise Community Partners

These photographs of Belarussian-born painter Ludmilla Vaynberg, plus a mashgiach (kosher supervisor) in Far Rockaway, New York, were made on assignment for Enterprise Community Partners.

Among its many missions, Enterprise funds and supports efforts that build community resiliency.

These people's lives were distressed by the ravages of last year's Hurricane Sandy, and live in facilities run by JASA, which cares for many living along the hard-hit Atlantic coastline.

Thanks to Nicole Gudzowsky, communications director at Enterprise, for making this happen, and for caring.

Jerusalem Stories | Linda Zisquit

From the Jerusalem Stories project, July 2013.

Poet, educator, and gallery-owner Linda Zisquit lives in the Emek Refaim neighborhood of west  Jerusalem.

Circles Within Circles exhibition at the Alper JCC, Miami

The collaborative exhibition I have created with poet Sherri Shunfenthal is being exhibited at the Alper Jewish Community Center, in Miami Florida.

Our photographic images and poems explore concepts and practices of Jewish time.

Many thanks to Suzy Breitner of the Alper's Futernick Gallery for her help and support.

Book: Circles Within Circles | Jewish Time Frames

Circles Within Circles Jewish Time Frames by Poetry by Sherri Waas Shunfenthal Photographs by Lloyd Wolf | Make Your Own Book

I have just created a book of poetry and photographs exploring Jewish conceptions and celebrations of time. Circles Within Circles: Jewish Time Frames has been created in collaboration with noted poet Sherri Waas Shunfenthal. 

The book is a collection from our work and the associated touring exhibition. It can be previewed and purchased from Blurb Books, including in an ebook format.

Kotel | Circles Within Circles

I have just created a new image for "Circles Within Circles: Jewish Time Frames," the series I have been collaborating on with poet Sherri Waas Shunfenthal.

This new collage is titled "Kotel 2."

The Kotel HaMaariv ( ותל המערבי ) is the western wall of the ancient Jewish temple in Jerusalem, sometimes referred to as the "Wailing Wall."

Circles Within Circles will next be exhibited at the Alper JCC in Miami, Florida in May 2012.