Kangarusski the past in photographs
Kangarusski has launched the photography exhibition of 17-yr-old Daniel Kuczko, 17 with the theme being A Study of the Jewish Métier in Sydney at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
His images told the story of the Russian speaking Jewish community; the Kangarusski community.
Kangarusski is the Russian Speaking Jewish Community (RSJC) department of the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA), engages the Russian speaking members of the community with both Jewish and Israel issues.
Daniel’s exhibition captured his family history; their culture and traditions. It is a story of three generations. His grandfather David Binder, a Holocaust survivor, told the story of his childhood: – “It was a sad story with the happy ending: When I cl
Back row: Robert Binder, Marcia Binder, Ben Binder, Daniel Kuczko, Yury Kuczko, Gabriella Kuczko, Rina Binder – Kuczko, Bella Binder
Front row: David Binder and one of his great grandchildren; Evie Binder
ose my eyes, I often speak to my loved ones whom I lost during the war, but then I hear the kookaburra laughing and I open my eyes. I see photos of my children and grandchildren smiling at me from the wall and the incredible happiness fills my heart. I survived so they could live a great life and achieve their goals.”
The exhibition represents and also celebrates their life. Every image captures members of the Jewish community at work in traditional Jewish professions.
For Daniel, it celebrates who he is as a young man in Australia by exploring the traditions and customs of his parents and grandparents. He says: “My mother’s parents are Holocaust survivors. I come from a mixed ethnic background, my first language is Russian, and Judaism is an important part of my cultural and religious heritage. For these reasons, it was important for me to tell the story of the Russian Jewish community in Sydney, Australia. The Nazis tried to wipe out our family line, but the miraculous survival of my grandparents is the reason that I am here, and the reason that I was able to capture ordinary photos of Jews living their daily lives in their adopted home of Australia. My photographs represent the endurance of Jewish culture. The medium of photography allows us to interpret the meaning behind each face in our own unique way.”
Anna Maylis, ZFA Kangarusski coordinator said: – “It is so important to educate young adults about their Jewish history, where they come from and their heritage and to encourage involvement in community life.”
Daniel Kucsko is a graduate from Waverley College. The photography exhibition was curated by Daniel for his HSC.
For more information about Kangarusski please contact Anna Maylis anna@kangarusski.org.au
The exhibition runs at The Sydney Jewish Museum until March 2019
