Welcome to

Meeting Esther: A Cross Cultural Night of Art and Music

Tu Ke Bivas
at the
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

September 3, 2026

Scroll down to find the photograph you are interested in learning more about. This audio guide includes a selection of images from the Tu Ke Bivas series. Delve into the details and symbolism of Behar’s creative practice and hear from curators and artists speak about her photographs.

This page also includes text transcripts and detailed audio descriptions of the photographs for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

An older woman, (the artist’s mother), is facing the camera, in front of a gray background. She is wearing a dark blue dress. One hand sits on her lap while the other holds up a photograph in a gold frame, completely blocking her face.

L’Dor V’Dor, 2023

(From Generation to Generation)

Hear more about the symbolism of L’Dor V’Dor
Transcript of Symbolism of l’dor v'dor
Hear a description of L'Dor V'Dor for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Alfinete de Seguridad, 2023

(Fasten)

Hear a description of Alfinete de Seguiridad for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Konsejos de Vida, 2022

(Life Lessons)

Hear Becky Behar talk about Ladino and their proverbs along with Edith Razon speaking in Ladino.
Transcript of Ladino and Proverbs
Hear a description of Konsejos de Vida for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Nazar No!, 2022

(No Evil Eye!)

Hear more about the symbolism of the evil eye.
Transcript of the symbolism of the evil eye
Hear a description of Nazar No! for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Tradisyones Orales, 2021

(Oral Traditions)

Hear a description of Tradisyiones Orales for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Annáv, 2022

(Modesty)

Hear a description of Annáv for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Tehilim, 2023

(Prayer)

Hear a description of Tehilim for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Bendichas Manos, 2023

(Blessed Hands)

Hear a description of Bendichas Manos for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Sedaka, 2023

(Charity)

Hear more about the symbolism of sedaka.
Transcript of symbolism sedaka
Hear a description of Sedaka for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Mazalosa, 2022

(Fortunate)

Hear a description of Mazalosa for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Fadaryo i Fortuna, 2023

(Fate and Fortune)

Hear more about the Hebrew calendar
Transcript of Hebrew calendar
Hear more about coffee cup readings.
Transcript of coffee cup readings
Hear a description of Fadaryo i Fortuna for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Enraigado, 2023

(Rooted)

Hear more about the symbolism of the rue plant found in this photograph.
Transcript of symbolism of rue plant
Hear a description of Enraigado for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Afikoman, 2023

(Found)

Hear more about the symbolism of Matzoh
Transcript of Symbolism of Matzoh
Hear a description of Afikoman for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Topo Remedio, 2023

(Found Remedy)

Hear a description of Topo Remedio for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Pishkado, Pishkado, 2022

(Fish Out of Water)

Hear more about the symbolism of eating fish during the Jewish New Year.
Transcript of symbolism of eating fish during the jewsih new year.
Hear a description of Pishkado, Pishkado for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Yerva Buena, 2022

(Good Herb)

Hear more about the symbolism of mint leaves.
Transcript of symbolism of mint Leaves
Hear a description of Yerva Buena for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Mehitzah, 2021

(Divided)

Hear a description of Mehitzah for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO DESCRIPTION

Damgua Dulse, 2022

(Sweet Imprint)

Hear from Emily Belz, independent photographer, educator and curator.
Transcript of Emily Belz
Hear more about the Ma’amoules cookies in the photograph.
Transcript of Ma'amoules cookies significance and recipe!
Hear a description of Damgua Dulce for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Transcript of Audio Description

Espina, 2022

(Spine)

Learn more about the symbolism of Sephardic keys.
Transcript of symbolism Sephardic keys
Hear a description of Espina for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO DESCRIPTION

Credits
Special thanks to:
Emily Belz, independent photographer, educator and curator
Edith Razon, who provided a sample of Ladino language
Emma Stewart, the 2023-2024 Louise Weinberg Intern at the Brandeis University, Women’s Studies Research Center. Emma wrote and recorded the audio descriptions of the photographs as well as the additional recordings that provide further information about the Sephardic symbolism.