Contact - The World of Photography and Digital Media, "In Spite Of!", September 2006, 4 pages, 11 photos

"In Spite Of!" A documentery photography project within a shelter for distressed young women The exciting story of a group of extraordinary young women with works of art and poems Exhibiting at The Jerusalem Theatre, 1-August to 12-Sept 2006 Grand opening Friday, August 4, 12:00 noon **************************** UPDATE July 17, 2006: The Ministry of Social Affairs and The Jerusalem Theatre have issued a joint press release - “In Spite of!” Hostel for Young Women in Distress Friday, August 4th 2006 at 12:00 a unique photo exhibition will open at the Jerusalem Theatre (http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il). The exciting story of a wonderful group of young women portrayed by documentary photographer Nir Alon and the hostel tenants. “R, P, L, T, S, D, B and S are eight of twelve tenants at a hostel for distressed young women in Jerusalem. During the first half of 2006 I had a unique opportunity to glance within the walls of the hostel as part of a documentary photography project. A professional staff, loving and supportive, helps the girls find inner strengths to cope with their past. But more important, the girls learn to look to their future, soberly and optimistically. These young women have been to Hell. In spite of their past, with great courage, they cope and are successful, each on her own, and all twelve together. They have found employment and go out to work. Some are completing 12 years of schooling and matriculation tests. They cooperate and share responsibility for mandatory tasks in the hostel. The path is not easy – believe me and believe the girls. Loneliness, despair, pain and sorrow are always a part of the process. But, with a caress, a cuddle and a kiss they console and strengthen each other and overcome together. Through stills photography I am trying to convey to the observer the great emotion and excitement I felt during the period I spent with them. I am trying to visually tell the binding story of an extraordinary group of young women in a hostel.” - Nir Alon (http://niralon.smugmug.com/) The Ministry of Social Affairs, under who’s patronage the hostel operates, sees great importance in community involvement, and that of artists and creators, in the girls’ special world of content. The bilateral exposure allows society a peek into the girls’ unique circumstances and enables the girls to see a new and different side of life helping them find new channels for expression and sources of inner strength. The exhibition will be displayed in the Henri Crown Foyer until September 12th, 2006. For additional information please call Shlomit or Noga at The Jerusalem Theatre, +972-2-5605757. ************************************************* UPDATE August 7, 2006: See the full project here: http://niralon.smugmug.com/gallery/1741399