On Friday, Aug. 18 a very important milestone in our community took place. Sephardic Bikur Holim celebrated the book launch of Legends, a photographic collection by Susan Menashe. All proceeds of the book as well as prints of Menashe’s work will be donated directly to SBH.

Legends: Volume I alongside a plate of mazzeh. Credit: Instagram

Susan Menashe has been a renowned photographer within our community for over thirty years. Over the past 20 years, Menashe has dedicated her talent and time to document and capture the special elderly individuals who shaped our community. Dating back to 1990, Susan took this huge venture upon herself to, “prove they were here”.

The book is dedicated in loving memory of Saul. E Ashkenazi A"H and the event to celebrate its launch was hosted by Mrs. Sally Ashkenazi at her home in Deal, NJ.

Saul E. Ashekanzi A"H, photgraphed by Menashe. Legends was created in Ashkenazie's honor. Credit: Instagram

The event was a memorable one. A large tent covered tables of people enjoying the summer breeze while admiring the work of Mrs. Menashe that was hung upon the outer walls of the back yard, creating a temporary gallery of sorts.

Ricky Esses found his grandfather's picture on the wall during the launch event. Credit: Instagram

There were two bars with refreshments. Waiters held trays of appetizers from Mazza and More as well as fruit on mini skewers. If you were lucky enough to find a photograph of your relative, or even found a portrait that spoke to you, you were able to purchase the print at the center table. The table also had the Legends books for purchase, of course, as well as stunning shabbat packages in which the book came accompanied with wine and large sun flowers. A beautiful gift for any occasion.

Shabbat packages being sold at the event.

Legends: Volume 1 is more than the ultimate coffee table book, it is our community heritage. Only four people featured in this book are alive today to see it.

“We have to hold on to our legends and the ones we have that are still here, we have to appreciate them,” explained Menashe, “These people shaped our community just as we are shaping it today for our children of tomorrow.”

Susan explained of her subjects, “It’s all about attitude and some of these people had attitude that was over the moon, their cups weren’t half full they were overflowing!”

Within its large pages, Susan Menashe tells each individual's stories through her special lenses. The subjects were often photographed in their element or in some cases with a spouse or grandchild.

A gallery of Menashe's work on display and for sale at the launch event.

“We always wished we could keep her forever and now we have this to show of her,” said Melanie Kishk when she came across a portrait of her grandmother in the book.

“This is a book that current and future generations can look through to learn where they’ve come from,” exclaimed Kishk, “The overall beauty of the book and its story is that all the work done was donated to SBH as Susans way of giving back to the community.”

To learn more about this amazing project and to order your very own copy of Legends, please visit SBH's Website.

Frieda Schweky

Frieda@sephardic.org

Frieda Schweky is Sephardic.Org's official community events reporter. For inquiries and to get involved with our site, please contact Frieda via email.