Jewish people are not allowed to have tattoos.This is a documentary about Jewish people who get tattoos in the context of religious prohibition, family disapproval, the Holocaust as a cultural memory, and the idea that they will not be buried in a Jewish cemetery. Tattoo Jew reads between the lines of what it means to be Jewish. This original project covers new ground and enhances what we know about who we are and how we express our individuality.Tattoo Jew examines the growing trend of Jewish people with tattoos within the context of religion, culture and history. This is not your parents’ Judaism. Tattoo Jew reveals a new Jewishness, a unique place where traditional Judaism meets tattoo culture. In interviews conducted across the United States, a variety of interesting subjects convey a deep passion, a sense of humor, and a strong connection to Jewish roots.Tattoo Jew, the book, features beautiful photographs by Justin Dawson that reveal the intriguing range of ink on the skin of the Jewish interview subjects. Accompanying text by Andy Abrams provides context and background for the piece, as well as excerpts from the many interviews completed during the course of the project.This documentary looks at a new way in which being Jewish is cool, hip, and relevant. The tattoos not only represent a connection to Jewish culture, they are a stylish and beautiful representation of a growing aesthetic for the expression of Jewishness. Written or drawn permanently on the skin, these tattoos are the intersection of personal adornment, cultural and political expression, and a unique twist on personal identity in our highly individualistic American culture.Tattoos expressing Jewishness create a clever balance between old and new. The language and icons of Jewish culture are turned on their head while retaining their significance and meaning. Tattoo Jew highlights interesting conversations that chronicle a contemporary dialogue about making sense of religion in a modern world, about battling anti-Semitism, and about remembering the past while looking to a new future.Any people who like tattoos. Any people with tattoos. Jewish people with tattoos. People with Jewish tattoos and/or tattoos in Yiddish or Hebrew.
Go out and Netflix or rent or buy all the documentary films that catch your eye. There are some outstanding films out there. Get your hands on as many as you can. Educate yourselves, get inspired, become involved.
Tattoo Jew