. Documenting the ultra-Orthodox Jews is something I love doing. They have their fascinating ancient traditions and rules which they meticulously maintain. But what really interests me is their lack of awareness of the camera which gives one the opportunity to capture authentic moments and unself-conscious glimpses into their world. Modern Israel by Abir Sultan An Ultra Orthodox Jewish man walks past vandalized posters showing women, in Jerusalem, Israel, 14 December 2011. Media reports state that in parts of the Israeli capital, women have been forced to use different pedistrian routes and services than men. Women have been made to use seperate buses, clinics, and even the Israeli military have thought of moving serving female combat personel because of objections by religious men serving alongside them. The changes are due to ultra-Orthodox rabbis attempting to distance themselves from the change of lifestyle in a modern Israel. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Bride holds a strip of cloth attached to the brother of the groom as he dances during a traditional wedding ceremony in Bnei Brak, Israel, 09 August 2012. Ultra Orthodox Jewish men dancing with their children around a bonfire in the neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel, 09 May 2012, as they commemorate the holy day of Lag Ba'Omer. The day marks the anniversary of the death of a famous sage some 1,800 years ago when the secrets of the 'kabbalah, ' or Jewish mysticism, were revealed. It is also connected to the Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans. An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man kneads the dough in a Matzah Bakery, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood, Jerusalem, 28 March 2012.  'Matza,' or unleavened bread is used in place of bread during the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover, which begins on April 6 and commemorates the Jews exodus from Egypt in biblical times. An ultra Orthodox Jewish man asleep at the Yeshiva, Mea Shearim neighborhood, Jerusalem early on 29 July 2012 marking Tisha B'Av. Religious Jews stay up all night and sleep at the Western Wall as they recite lamentations focusing on the destruction of the ancient temple that was located on the other side of the ancient wall, on the Temple Mount. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Bride holds a strip of cloth attached to her husband during a traditional wedding ceremony in Bnei Brak, Israel, 27 June 2012. Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews participate in a prayer rally and protest in the neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem against the government's intention to recruit Yeshiva students to the army and civil service. 25 June 2012. Ultra Orthodox Jewish children waiting for their Rabbi to light the bonfire in the neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel, 09 May 2012, as they commemorate the holy day of Lag Ba'Omer. Ultra Orthodox Jewish men waiting for their Rabbi to light the bonfire in the neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel, 09 May 2012, as they commemorate the holy day of Lag Ba'Omer. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish kids watch the kneading of the dough in a Matzah Bakery, Mea Shearim neighborhood, Jerusalem. 28 March 2012.  Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men holding each other after drinking too much wine in the street, Mea Shearim neighborhood, Jerusalem, 09 March 2012, during celebrations of the joyous holiday of Purim. Purim is a celebration of the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. During this holiday, many religious Jews drink openly. An Ultra Orthodox boy looks at an Ultra Orthodox man as he mourns during the Tenth of Tevet fast day at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, 05 January 2011. Tenth of Tevet is one of the four Jewish fasts and commemorates the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II (588 BC) and the destruction of the First Temple. A group of ultra-Orthodox Jews wearing prison uniforms from the Holocaust and yellow Stars of David with 'Jude' written on them sit in a truck with bars during a protest in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood. 31 December 2011.  They were protesting against what they called the 'media campaign of incitement' being waged against their community, especially where it refered to the separation of men and women in the ultra- Orthodox Jewish society. Behind, the placards refer to a Jewish state without Zionists. An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man passing candles during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood. 20 December, 2011. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important Jewish holidays and is celebrated by Jews worldwide. An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man swings a chicken over his family, later to be slaughtered as part of the Kaparot ritual, in which it is believed that one transfers one's sins from the past year into the chicken.  Mea Shearim neighborhood, Wednesday Oct 7, 2011. The ceremony is held before the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which starts on Friday. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish child watching chickens being slaughtered as part of the Kaparot ritual in which it is believed that one transfers one's sins from the past year into the chicken. BACK ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2012 Back to current issue