By Dovid Zaklikowsk
Award-winning photojournalist Marc Asnin has photographed for New York Times Magazine, Time Magazine, Reader’s Digest and other prominent publications, historical events and important people.
Yet, Asnin takes great pride in his photo of the Rebbe. “I consider the photo the greatest one of my career,” he often says.
In 1992, Asnin was asked to photograph the cover story of New York Times Magazine marking the Rebbe’s 90th birthday. He spent nearly 2 months in Crown Heights photographing the Rebbe and the happenings in the community.
“When I began the assignment,” he recalls, “I knew little of the Rebbe’s global impact. Despite being one of the most famous rabbis of the generation, the Rebbe was approachable, and I was able to photograph with ease.”
Over that time, he photographed tens of thousands of photos of the Rebbe and Chassidim. He has donated them to Lubavitch Archives who is working on publishing a book.
Editors at the New York Times used Asnin’s iconic photo which was photographed on the yahrtzeit of the Rebbetzin as a double spread in the magazine.
“The Rebbe was facing east praying evening services,” he says, “All of a sudden the entire room was moving. Eventually, everything stopped and I was on top, not the best place to capture a photograph, which I believe should always be done intimately and close-up. There was this one guy who told me to jump.”
Asnin was shocked at the idea of jumping in a shul, but after some egging on, he did it anyway.
“At that moment I perceived the tremendous passion and depth of belief innate to Chabad ideals. No one was simply a spectator. The energy in 770 was palpable. The sparse furniture in the synagogue was irrelevant beside the pulsating spirituality that emerged during a Hassidic gathering.”
That was the moment that he took, what he calls, “an incredible” photo of the Rebbe talking on the dais”. Though I did not know what the Rebbe was saying, I felt deeply connected. The captured moment exudes passion and spirituality. This special photo has the mark of a Dutch painting, and hangs in many homes, Jewish and non-Jewish alike.”
Years later, the magazine unprecedentedly reprinted that photo of the Rebbe. In addition, when the New York Times Magazine published a commemorative photography book of their best pictures, the photo of the Rebbe, is the religious one they chose to use.
He says that in such times as ours, when we are locked-in, we need to think about others less fortunate than us. “During those few weeks,” he says, “that I was photographing the Rebbe I felt something I never felt from other Jews in my life: unconditional love.”
Over the years he has made that unconditional love a part of his daily life, which includes assisting with NYSALT with assisting the less fortunate. He is now selling copies of the Rebbe’s photo to assist underprivileged children of New York City.
“I hope that the energy and love in that room that day emanates throughout the world tough times and helps keep the mission of NYC SALT thriving,” Asnin concludes.
The photo is available in five different sizes on Prints by NYC SALT
