Exploring the Streets of Midcentury New York Through the Lens of Jewish Photographers
Renowned historian and Jewish studies professor Deborah Dash Moore captivated a packed audience at Bowdoin College’s Kresge Auditorium with her enlightening lecture on the rich history of Jewish street photographers in midcentury New York. The event, known as the Harry Spindel Memorial Lecture, attracted a diverse group of attendees, including students, faculty, photographers, and members of the Jewish community.
Professor Dash Moore delved into her latest book, Walkers in the City: Jewish Street Photographers of Midcentury New York, which provides a captivating exploration of the photographs taken by working-class Jews in twentieth-century New York City. She discussed how the advent of affordable cameras provided this section of society with newfound opportunities to engage with the city, armed with the power of the camera.
According to Dash Moore, an intriguing cohort of young Jewish individuals embraced photography and its possibilities during this era. Armed with small cameras and urban wit, they saw the camera’s documentary potential as a way to navigate the streets, capture their essence, and make sense of the city’s traditions and occasional chaos.
During her presentation, Dash Moore spotlighted the works of notable Jewish photographers such as Morris Engel, Sid Grossman, and Helen Levitt, shedding light on the dynamics of gender and the male gaze within the field of photography. She emphasized the skills necessary to excel in this art form, including luck, pluck, patience, and skill.
The photographs examined by Dash Moore depicted a variety of scenes, including New Yorkers observing their fellow citizens, lively gatherings at restaurants and storefronts, and the vibrant ambiance of Coney Island. Notably, these images often captured groups of younger city-dwellers congregating in ways that the urban elite of the time did not appreciate.
Dash Moore pointed out the contrast between reformers’ negative judgment of such gatherings, deeming them deplorable, and the photographers’ perspective. The photographers celebrated these groups, rarely presenting them in a threatening or negative light. This divergence in perception highlighted the photographers’ unique understanding and representation of the urban landscape.
The lecture resonated with members of the Bowdoin College community, including Jill Pearlman, a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Studies and co-chair of the Spindel Lecture fund. As an expert in architecture and urbanism, Pearlman appreciates the impact of Jewish individuals on New York’s urban landscape, making Dash Moore’s work especially relevant to her own teachings.
Reflecting on the decision to invite Dash Moore, Pearlman noted the alignment with several Bowdoin courses, including her own City, Anti-City class and Professor Michael Kolster’s documentary photography seminar. The anticipation of an engaged audience was met, as the attendees keenly absorbed the historical and artistic insights shared during the lecture.
One student, Elias McEaneney, enrolled in Pearlman’s City, Anti-City course, found the combination of history and art in Dash Moore’s talk particularly compelling. It provided a glimpse into analyzing history beyond a purely scholarly lens, incorporating artistic principles and contextual understanding to enhance the appreciation and interpretation of the photographs.
Professor Dash Moore’s lecture reminded the audience of the invaluable contribution of Jewish street photographers in capturing the essence of midcentury New York. Through their lens, they revealed the vibrancy, diversity, and beauty of the city that often went unnoticed by the urban elite. Their photographs serve as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and unique perspectives of working-class Jews, forever etching their mark on the urban landscape.
In summary, Deborah Dash Moore’s insightful lecture on Jewish street photographers in midcentury New York showcased the power of photography as a tool for exploration and expression. Her exploration of the photographs captured the spirit of the city, and her analysis shed light on the rich tapestry of Jewish culture woven into New York’s urban landscape.
