My camera and I just returned from our 10th sojourn in Israel since 1999. Why so much Israel? I like the energy. Physical, spiritual, relational, sensual, tribal, mental, gastronomical! Energy that sustains and challenges those grounded in this tumultuous place, and whose strong and subtle visual qualities enable photography as a medium to sample and communicate Israel’s soulful essence.

I organize Israel trips for B’YahadTREX. We try to provide samples of Israel soul to the adventurous. We succeeded with our Bike the Negev™ (soul-on-wheels) and Israel PG13™ (soul-on-location) trips, and we’re going for it again with Zoom In™, a photography exploration for pros, hobbyists, just-learners, and wannabees. Zoom In will challenge you to slow down, suspend belief and bring-your-own lenses and filters to patiently reveal the true grit, grace and authenticity of this very complex place. B-TREX’s Israeli friends are psyched about using this medium to connect us with people (that’s what B-TREX does best) and place, and are waiting to jump in on the learning, fun and friendship.

Our enthusiastic professional instructor will be Irus Rozenfeld, whom I met last month at the earthy Adama dance center in the Negev town of Mitzpe Ramon. Irus has B-TREX attitude and energy for Zoom In. She floated ideas to focus us on grass-roots southern Israel, with camera – dancers, Bedouin culture, African immigrants, development projects – and without (wine, movement workshop, spa). We’ll get close-ups of less-visited Jerusalem areas – Lifta, east-side neighborhoods, Hevron. In Tel Aviv, we’ll visit other professional studios and poke around re-developing Yafo neighborhoods.

We’ll kick back in modest, Israeli accommodations for daily critiques, join local Shabbat activities for those wishing, and keep plenty of time for wandering (shopping) or doing absolutely nothing as Israel wanders by you. If we get it right, we’ll return with some terrific images for our group exhibition, and almost-full bellies craving to return for more servings of soulfulness. Wanna come with? Block out the in-country program dates, April 18 -26 plus a couple front end “arrive & adjust” days, and follow the information posted on byahdtrex.org.  Upcoming Info Sessions on December 3 and December 10, 7:00 at Corner Bar in the Boulderado Hotel – 13th & Spruce.

Pictures from Bruce’s Tenth Trip: