Our Emissary to Antarctica: The Devout Photographer Spreads Judaism on the Frozen Continent

A Different Journey: Imagine being required to fly to a different destination each month as part of your job, sometimes without even the most basic living conditions or kosher food. Would you be ready to pack your bags, say goodbye to the familiar, and stamp your passport at checkout? For the devout photographer, Meir Alfasi, this has been routine for 10 years. Peru, India, Chile, Albania, Brazil, Italy, the Floating Islands, Iran, and recently, Antarctica. Alfasi returned from his travels, armed with experiences and, undoubtedly, a wealth of photographs.

Interested? View Meir Alfasi's photo gallery

The Frozen Blue

Alfasi, a Chabad chasid, fell in love with the camera twenty years ago, at the age of nine, when he first tried photographing. He shares that beyond photography, he has an interest in different cultures and languages. "I suppose the combination of all these elements creates my love for the profession."

Isn't it difficult?

"I love what I do. Nothing can replace that feeling. When you love something, you don't truly feel the difficulties or the discomfort you go through while doing it. Besides, the Lubavitcher Rebbe instructed his followers to print the Tanya and distribute it wherever there are Jews."

As for the obvious question, what does Chabad have to do with Antarctica? Alfasi joined a group of researchers sent to the location and, indeed, Jewish travelers also reach there. "For me, reaching Antarctica is a dream come true," says Alfasi. "I used to read a lot about it and one day just decided to go." To realize his dream, he had to secure funding of 40,000 shekels. "After securing the funding, thank God, we flew to Ushuaia in Argentina," Alfasi shares. "There we stopped at the 'Jewish House' organization, which provided us with suitable food and essential equipment, and from there we boarded a ship to Antarctica. The voyage took about ten days, and we were ten Jews, so we were set for a prayer quorum."

Fulfilling the Rebbe's Directive: Tanya Books Printed on the Ship

The entry to the ice continent was accompanied by quite a few challenges, primarily due to the plunge in temperature, especially the further south you go. Hence, it's challenging to sustain life there.

 Do you photograph wildlife, like the polar bear?

"I'd be happy to photograph, if you just show me where they are," he says. It turns out that unlike the Northern Antarctic where the polar bear, reindeer, foxes, dolphins, and more inhabit, the Southern Pole is a different story. Due to freezing conditions, animals do not survive there. Although there is a station permanently manned by researchers and maintenance personnel.

Special Views

Alfasi fulfilled his promise to print the Tanya on the ship. During the voyage, the books were distributed to all the Jewish delegation members and Israeli travelers.

How was Shabbat?

"It was truly like the world to come. We welcomed Shabbat with everything white and quiet around us. As we made Kiddush, a few Gentiles watched us as if we had landed from the moon; they didn't understand what we were doing. But the overall feeling was very good. Since Shabbat in Antarctica concludes late at night, at 23:30, we even enjoyed its taste for longer and could extend the enjoyment."

What are the strongest impressions from this journey?

"First of all, you learn to appreciate what you have. You learn to say thank you. Being in such a place and not returning with impressions doesn't make sense. In a place like this, I preferred to capture everything with the most advanced camera I have – my eyes. I heeded the captain's advice who said: 'Look closely around, with your eyes. Anything else you have, money, status, sweets – all can be taken from you. What cannot be taken from you is the feeling and experience you're having at this moment.' He was right. There are views you can't translate into a picture, so at least enjoy the experience."