American Photographer Captures Israel's Complex Reality Through 100 Personal Stories

American photographer David Schlecter has released "Hinenu" (Here We Are), a book of portraits and life stories from 100 carefully selected Israelis, aiming to portray the country beyond its news headlines. The project, conceived before the October 7th attacks, was completed during the ongoing conflict, with the final interview conducted while his family sheltered from an Iranian attack. Schlecter, who moved his family to Tel Aviv for two years and became an Israeli citizen, felt a deep obligation to the country that gave him so much. He meticulously chose participants to reflect Israel's demographic makeup across age, gender, religion, origin, and location, a process that took nine months. The book features striking portraits alongside personal narratives drawn from in-depth interviews. Schlecter funded the $150,000 project himself to maintain artistic integrity, printing an initial 3,000 copies. He emphasizes that while trauma and war are present, the recurring themes were resilience and community. He was particularly struck by the strong sense of community and mutual support among Israelis, even in difficult circumstances, expressing a wish to bring that spirit to the United States. The book's English release has resonated particularly with American Jews seeking a deeper understanding of Israel beyond politics and conflict. Schlecter, who recently returned to the US, had the Hebrew phrase "Modeh Ani" (I give thanks) tattooed on his foot as a reminder of his gratitude for his time in Israel and his ongoing desire to learn more about its complex nature.