Rafael Ben-Ari was born in Israel in 1971. His stated mission is to “photograph the mysteries of life through the land, up to the sky and into the depths of the oceans in a driven passion to find the equation between reality and imagination”. Rafael studied photography in the New York Institute of Photography and he has won several awards, including twice the Excellent Artist in Photography from the Israeli government and had his photo published in Doubletruck Magazine "World's Best News Pictures 2007". He is currently freelancing for Israeli and overseas newspapers and magazines and is distributed through Newscom, Xinhua and Zumapress. Please refer to his web site to read his full and captivating biography which includes childhood experiments with all sorts of visual contraptions, a miraculous escape from a lethal brain tumor, a trip to Mt. Kenya, a term as Aerial Photo Analyst in the Israeli Air Force Intelligence and a world trip from which he picked up strenuous meditation practices! Together with his partner to life, Rafael also runs an independent photography service called Chameleons Eye. Rafael Ben Ari is also offer one-on-one private workshops and lessons in Israel with the aim to help any photographer capture great images in a relaxed atmosphere.His Photography tours in Israel are custom designed courses exclusively for photographers on all levels who are serious about their craft and wish to improve their photography skills while experiencing a unique photo adventure in Israel. Check out www.israelphototours.com
Visit photographer's web site

Israel: Black Hebrew’s Village of Peace
By Rafael Ben-Ari
Posted in all, features, greater middle east on 30 January 2009
Stats: 3,396 views and 1 Comment

Since 30 disciples followed him to Israel in 1969, the community has established and grown from only 109 original leaders. Weary of ghetto life in the United States, they followed the charismatic leader to Dimona in the Negev, the desert region of southern Israel, establishing a community and forging a new identity. All photos by [...]