Facilitator prompts the group:
- What does it mean to give ourselves and others the “weight” we deserve? When we make light of things, how does that diminish human dignity?
- Thinking about the work we are about to do today, in your opinion, what are the most dignified ways to reduce food insecurity, either at an individual or structural level?
- What might get in the way of exercising human dignity consistently?
After reading the following passage for context, analyze the photographs that follow:
In his photography series, Biblical Stories, world-renowned, Israeli-born photographer Adi Nes, boldly engages with contemporary issues of the day and launches critical examinations of them, drawing upon his own diverse background and experiences.
In his photograph series,
Ruth and Naomi, he draws on the classical Biblical story of two widowed women, displaced from their home, poor, food insecure from famine and loss, who went to glean and gather wheat in the field of a distant relative, who ultimately supports and cares for them.
Nes’ modern depiction of Naomi and Ruth portrays two women gleaning onions at the end of the day in an open-air market in contemporary Tel Aviv.
About the image, Nes says, “the hardened women gather onions from their tears which turn to gold in their hands.”
Facilitator prompts the group:
- Click here and look at the pictures.
- What feelings do these images evoke?
- Is there a recognition of the human dignity of the women in these photos? Explain your answer.
- Does Nes’ accompanying quote (cited above) bolster or reduce the human dignity of the featured women?
*BREAK FOR SERVICE*
Prompt before breaking for service:
As we head into our service together, we invite you to notice the ways that you as individuals in your service today can take concrete steps to honor and recognize the preciousness of each human being. Note them for yourself.
