Cave Man
by Esther Buckareff added on 4 July 2015, Comments Off on Cave Man , filed under Artistic Process (Israel)Photos: Caves from Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park
On April 22nd, 2015, I embarked on a mission in search of caves. It was Israel’s Independence Day, a national holiday, so I checked the web before heading out to make sure that Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park was open until at least 5pm. After visiting Avshalom Cave (also known as Soreq Cave or Stalactites Cave), I arrived at Beit Guvrin around 3pm and was greeted by 4 or 5 park attendants. One of the guys leaned out the park shack window and told me they were closing the park at 3:30pm, which made it too late for me to enter. Disappointed, I pleaded with them, pointing out that the website didn’t mention a different closing time – and that it was my birthday. “Pleeeeease?” I begged. One of the young park attendants suggested I visit a different park, ‘Hirbet Midras’ at Park Adulam, where he said I would find some interesting caves and ruins. It was approximately fifteen minutes away and didn’t close until 10pm. A fair compromise, I handed him my phone so he could GPS the location for me. I then turned the car around and set off on a hunt for some ruins dating back to the second temple.
Before exiting the park, I sent my good friend Shmuel in Canada (an Israeli/Canadian who is also my Hebrew teacher, tourist guide, and educator on Jewish customs) a text message on Viber telling him my change in plans. I included the GPS marker. He replied with a voice message that irritated me as over-protective and paranoid. So I ignored it.

Click arrow to listen to message
I followed the GPS until the road narrowed into a dirt road and came to an end. There was no ‘visitor’s center’, park authority shed, parking lot or directional signs beyond a park sign that I had passed a few minutes earlier. I turned the car off, locked it, grabbed my back pack, bottle of water, and started hiking toward the GPS marker along a dirt path.
About 250 feet from the car, a young goat herder emerged with a flock of goats. He looked about 14 years old. I asked him if I could take a photo of him with his goats and he obliged. In broken English, he asked me where I was going and I told him I was hiking toward some ruins. He then offered to take me to the ruins but I politely declined, mentioning that I had the GPS to guide me and that it didn’t look like they were too far away. As I turned my back and started walking away from him, he jumped me from behind and tried to wrestle me to the ground while attempting to kiss me on the lips. Startled, I shrugged him off my back like a tissue. He was thin, light, and shorter than I. As I picked up my sunglasses, which had gone flying off the top of my head, I yelled, “NO!” and held my arm out in a “Stop” position. He started moving toward me again, and again I yelled, NO! Not knowing if he had a weapon, or if he would try to jump me again, I aborted my mission and walked backwards toward the car.
After exiting the park, I pulled over, got out, leaned against the hood and pealed an orange while I contemplated – How did Shmuel know? And if Shmuel can predict something like this from Canada, what are the greater implications? Damn.
A week later, on May 30th, an acquaintance texted me on Whattsup…
Notes & Pics
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Cave Man
Photos: Caves from Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park On April 22nd, 2015, I embarked on a mission in search of caves. It was ...
added on 4 July 2015 + Read more -
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added on 2 July 2015 + Read more -
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added on 1 October 2013 + Read more -
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Documenting The Issues – Sex Workers Day of Action (video)
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added on 10 June 2013 + Read more -
In-Production Vid
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Gas Protest – Tel Aviv, November 7, 2015
AUDIO (English) In this audio file, a protester explains to me why Israelis are against the gas deal. He begins by mentioning that Bill Clinton's visit to Israel, on ...added on 8 November 2015 + Read more -
Awakening
Israel has been overrun by rats. The digging of tunnels for the train expansion project across Israel has pushed a ...added on 23 October 2015 + Read more -
Garden of Eden
Art Credit: Matan Ben Tolila's exhibition, The Young Mariner, at Noga Gallery of Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv (October, 2015)added on 4 October 2015 + Read more -
Arm Me
Teens are enlisted into the army at 18. Three weeks after graduating highschool a person begins their army service. Boys serve ...added on 14 September 2015 + Read more -
Who’s Your Lawyer?
A woman is pulling into a parking lot and a group of women stand around chatting in the only empty ...added on 14 September 2015 + Read more -
Powerless
Not knowing has a lot of power. Once you know, you can't go back. - Hagit Kazinitz Rock installation by Hagit ...added on 26 August 2015 + Read more -
Power
You cannot just walk in and request that your power be turned off. - Shmuel Shatz, Internal Audit Manager (Ombudsman's office, Tel ...added on 25 August 2015 + Read more -
ID
It is important to note, however, that although religion was usually used to identify Jews, the Jews were not considered ...added on 19 August 2015 + Read more -
שירותי-סיכה-ורחיצה
July 9, 2015. I pull into a gas station outside Ramla that offers a free car wash with fill up. Cars get dusty pretty ...added on 4 August 2015 + Read more -
Circles are Squares
It's madness. It's crazy. I don't understand it. They've got it all wrong.added on 3 August 2015 + Read more -
Interesting Spaces
Sometimes, the foggy places are quite interesting. - Hagit Kazinitz, solo exhibit opening, July 15, 2015Kazinitz' body of work was a commentary ...added on 3 August 2015 + Read more -
Ninety Percent
Thirteen families own and/or manage ninety percent of all the land in Israel. This statistic effects every aspect of an ...added on 3 August 2015 + Read more -
Pareidolia
In our society, especially here in this area, many men don't let their wives go to cafes...the first thing that ...added on 2 August 2015 + Read more -
Beyond Redemption
It doesn't matter what religion you are or what society says. First and foremost you are a person.- Mai DaasPhotos ...added on 1 August 2015 + Read more -
Cops for Hire
Israel's local police do not enforce the law. Criminals pay police to protect them from a terrorized public. The police act with impunity, ...added on 1 August 2015 + Read more -
White Space
the limitless pleasure and Divine experience that we were created to experience, is only revealed to the extent that we ...added on 27 July 2015 + Read more -
Fear and Love
...just as a bird cannot fly with one wing, for fear and love are the two wings... ~ Ch.41, Likutei Amarim ...added on 27 July 2015 + Read more -
Let it be
July 22, 2015. I'm the only guest at a beach side bar located on the north western tip of Israel, a stone's ...added on 25 July 2015 + Read more -
The Dancing Machine
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The Dancing Machine at Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv (Exhibit ...added on 25 July 2015 + Read more -
Sabra
Sabra (Hebrew: צבר, pronounced tzabar) is an informal slang term that refers to Israeli Jews born in Israel... The cactus is compared ...added on 21 July 2015 + Read more -
Triggered to Action
(photo: Market in Ramla) The Big Brother Show is a big deal here. Everybody watches it. It's huge with the 30-something ...added on 20 July 2015 + Read more -
Garbage Dump
Countries on the Mediterranean who dump garbage into the sea cause trauma and death to sea life. Plastic bags are particularly harmful because ...added on 18 July 2015 + Read more -
Public Shaming
July 8th, 2015. I am given a private tour of the Sammy Ofer School for Communications at IDC, Herzliya (funded in part by the ...added on 8 July 2015 + Read more -
Feminism and Sexuality
Yayoi Kusama, born Japan 1929, active USA and JapanUntitled (Ironing Board)Stuffed fabric, steam iron, ironing board, paintYayoi Kusama is a ...added on 7 July 2015 + Read more -
Cave Man
Photos: Caves from Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park On April 22nd, 2015, I embarked on a mission in search of caves. It was ...added on 4 July 2015 + Read more -
Kindness
An email to my sister | June 10, 2015 at 2:17pmI was just shown the most profound kindness by an old ...added on 2 July 2015 + Read more -
Basketball
On June 3rd, 2015, I scored three tickets from a friend to attend a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game against Eilat. She ...added on 2 July 2015 + Read more -
Happiness
So these are my favourite shorts. I bought them for ten shekels (about $3 CDN) on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv from ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
2nd Floor Apartment
On April 16th, 2015, at about 12am I watched, from my second floor apartment in Bat Yam, as a black ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
Religion is Dead.
"The Idol" by Adi Nachson | For more info, see press release here Religion is dead. Just like that prehistoric animal inside. ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
Who is a Jew?
Doris Arkin, Anamnesisa2013, iron, iron wire, concrete, plaster, thread, dia. 220Basis and (Super-) Structure, June 20, 2015BASIS for Art and CultureNot ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
Invisible
What you see: A long trail of people carrying a sheet of reflective foil paper, which reflects an image of ...added on 29 June 2015 + Read more -
7th Floor
Graffiti exhibit by 100 artists on the 7th floor of Tel Aviv's central bus station during White Nights, 2015added on 28 June 2015 + Read more -
The Artistic Process (Israel Project)
This is the journey before it begins. A space of documented images and experiences that enlighten, inform, and inspire a methodology that builds by deconstructing.These ...added on 28 June 2015 + Read more -
Trust (Addendum)
Prior to being interviewed, witnesses often ask me why I chose to document the topic. If my experience doesn't fit or match their own, ...added on 28 June 2015 + Read more -
Photos from Installation – Sex Worker, Truth & Archetype
Photos from Sex Worker, Truth & Archetype - October 4-23rd, 2014 gallery installation during Scotiabank Nuit Blancheadded on 18 November 2014 + Read more -
Selling Sex (research)
A compilation of stories by sex workers, Selling Sex is an enlightening read that provides an informative perspective on sex ...added on 1 October 2013 + Read more -
Buying Sex (research)
The NFB documentary, 'Buying Sex' examines different perspectives on the perception and legality of sex work by comparing and contrasting ...added on 30 September 2013 + Read more -
Documenting The Issues – Sex Workers Day of Action (video)
To better understand the perspective of witness testimonies for the Odalisque project, I attended National Day of Action To Support ...added on 10 June 2013 + Read more -
In-Production Vid
Odalisque - in production vid - clips of raw footage taken to give sex workers an idea of what type ...added on 27 May 2013 + Read more -
Odalisque – photo/film shoot
A few pics from 'behind-the-scenes' during a film/photo shoot for the Odalisque, As Archetype documentary project (May 2013). If you're ...added on 13 May 2013 + Read more -
Production of ‘Nowhere Man’ in Cuba
Behind-the-scenes during the filming of the documentary short, Nowhere Man. ...added on 9 March 2013 + Read more
-
Gas Protest – Tel Aviv, November 7, 2015
AUDIO (English) In this audio file, a protester explains to me why Israelis are against the gas deal. He begins by mentioning that Bill Clinton's visit to Israel, on ...added on 8 November 2015 + Read more -
Awakening
Israel has been overrun by rats. The digging of tunnels for the train expansion project across Israel has pushed a ...added on 23 October 2015 + Read more -
Garden of Eden
Art Credit: Matan Ben Tolila's exhibition, The Young Mariner, at Noga Gallery of Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv (October, 2015)added on 4 October 2015 + Read more -
Arm Me
Teens are enlisted into the army at 18. Three weeks after graduating highschool a person begins their army service. Boys serve ...added on 14 September 2015 + Read more -
Who’s Your Lawyer?
A woman is pulling into a parking lot and a group of women stand around chatting in the only empty ...added on 14 September 2015 + Read more -
Powerless
Not knowing has a lot of power. Once you know, you can't go back. - Hagit Kazinitz Rock installation by Hagit ...added on 26 August 2015 + Read more -
Power
You cannot just walk in and request that your power be turned off. - Shmuel Shatz, Internal Audit Manager (Ombudsman's office, Tel ...added on 25 August 2015 + Read more -
ID
It is important to note, however, that although religion was usually used to identify Jews, the Jews were not considered ...added on 19 August 2015 + Read more -
שירותי-סיכה-ורחיצה
July 9, 2015. I pull into a gas station outside Ramla that offers a free car wash with fill up. Cars get dusty pretty ...added on 4 August 2015 + Read more -
Circles are Squares
It's madness. It's crazy. I don't understand it. They've got it all wrong.added on 3 August 2015 + Read more -
Interesting Spaces
Sometimes, the foggy places are quite interesting. - Hagit Kazinitz, solo exhibit opening, July 15, 2015Kazinitz' body of work was a commentary ...added on 3 August 2015 + Read more -
Ninety Percent
Thirteen families own and/or manage ninety percent of all the land in Israel. This statistic effects every aspect of an ...added on 3 August 2015 + Read more -
Pareidolia
In our society, especially here in this area, many men don't let their wives go to cafes...the first thing that ...added on 2 August 2015 + Read more -
Beyond Redemption
It doesn't matter what religion you are or what society says. First and foremost you are a person.- Mai DaasPhotos ...added on 1 August 2015 + Read more -
Cops for Hire
Israel's local police do not enforce the law. Criminals pay police to protect them from a terrorized public. The police act with impunity, ...added on 1 August 2015 + Read more -
White Space
the limitless pleasure and Divine experience that we were created to experience, is only revealed to the extent that we ...added on 27 July 2015 + Read more -
Fear and Love
...just as a bird cannot fly with one wing, for fear and love are the two wings... ~ Ch.41, Likutei Amarim ...added on 27 July 2015 + Read more -
Let it be
July 22, 2015. I'm the only guest at a beach side bar located on the north western tip of Israel, a stone's ...added on 25 July 2015 + Read more -
The Dancing Machine
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The Dancing Machine at Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv (Exhibit ...added on 25 July 2015 + Read more -
Sabra
Sabra (Hebrew: צבר, pronounced tzabar) is an informal slang term that refers to Israeli Jews born in Israel... The cactus is compared ...added on 21 July 2015 + Read more -
Triggered to Action
(photo: Market in Ramla) The Big Brother Show is a big deal here. Everybody watches it. It's huge with the 30-something ...added on 20 July 2015 + Read more -
Garbage Dump
Countries on the Mediterranean who dump garbage into the sea cause trauma and death to sea life. Plastic bags are particularly harmful because ...added on 18 July 2015 + Read more -
Public Shaming
July 8th, 2015. I am given a private tour of the Sammy Ofer School for Communications at IDC, Herzliya (funded in part by the ...added on 8 July 2015 + Read more -
Feminism and Sexuality
Yayoi Kusama, born Japan 1929, active USA and JapanUntitled (Ironing Board)Stuffed fabric, steam iron, ironing board, paintYayoi Kusama is a ...added on 7 July 2015 + Read more -
Cave Man
Photos: Caves from Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park On April 22nd, 2015, I embarked on a mission in search of caves. It was ...added on 4 July 2015 + Read more -
Kindness
An email to my sister | June 10, 2015 at 2:17pmI was just shown the most profound kindness by an old ...added on 2 July 2015 + Read more -
Basketball
On June 3rd, 2015, I scored three tickets from a friend to attend a Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game against Eilat. She ...added on 2 July 2015 + Read more -
Happiness
So these are my favourite shorts. I bought them for ten shekels (about $3 CDN) on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv from ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
2nd Floor Apartment
On April 16th, 2015, at about 12am I watched, from my second floor apartment in Bat Yam, as a black ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
Religion is Dead.
"The Idol" by Adi Nachson | For more info, see press release here Religion is dead. Just like that prehistoric animal inside. ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
Who is a Jew?
Doris Arkin, Anamnesisa2013, iron, iron wire, concrete, plaster, thread, dia. 220Basis and (Super-) Structure, June 20, 2015BASIS for Art and CultureNot ...added on 1 July 2015 + Read more -
Invisible
What you see: A long trail of people carrying a sheet of reflective foil paper, which reflects an image of ...added on 29 June 2015 + Read more -
7th Floor
Graffiti exhibit by 100 artists on the 7th floor of Tel Aviv's central bus station during White Nights, 2015added on 28 June 2015 + Read more -
The Artistic Process (Israel Project)
This is the journey before it begins. A space of documented images and experiences that enlighten, inform, and inspire a methodology that builds by deconstructing.These ...added on 28 June 2015 + Read more -
Trust (Addendum)
Prior to being interviewed, witnesses often ask me why I chose to document the topic. If my experience doesn't fit or match their own, ...added on 28 June 2015 + Read more -
Photos from Installation – Sex Worker, Truth & Archetype
Photos from Sex Worker, Truth & Archetype - October 4-23rd, 2014 gallery installation during Scotiabank Nuit Blancheadded on 18 November 2014 + Read more -
Selling Sex (research)
A compilation of stories by sex workers, Selling Sex is an enlightening read that provides an informative perspective on sex ...added on 1 October 2013 + Read more -
Buying Sex (research)
The NFB documentary, 'Buying Sex' examines different perspectives on the perception and legality of sex work by comparing and contrasting ...added on 30 September 2013 + Read more -
Documenting The Issues – Sex Workers Day of Action (video)
To better understand the perspective of witness testimonies for the Odalisque project, I attended National Day of Action To Support ...added on 10 June 2013 + Read more -
In-Production Vid
Odalisque - in production vid - clips of raw footage taken to give sex workers an idea of what type ...added on 27 May 2013 + Read more -
Odalisque – photo/film shoot
A few pics from 'behind-the-scenes' during a film/photo shoot for the Odalisque, As Archetype documentary project (May 2013). If you're ...added on 13 May 2013 + Read more -
Production of ‘Nowhere Man’ in Cuba
Behind-the-scenes during the filming of the documentary short, Nowhere Man. ...added on 9 March 2013 + Read more
-