oldest cashier of the Middle East, from Jerusalem, Itzhak Frey speaks his mind

documentary of Jürg Da Vaz from 2005



Insight into the Soul of an Orthodox Jew.

In 1873, orthodox Jews founded a new quarter not far away from the Old City of Jerusalem. Initially, 100 families lived there. They called the new neighbourhood “Mea Shearim”, which means “One Hundred Gates”.
Today, Mea Shearim is a unique and quite particular neighbourhood in Jerusalem where strict interpretations of Jewish tradition and rule prevail.
Usually orthodox Jews are suspicious and don’t like to be interviewed. Swiss filmmaker Jürg Da Vaz succeeded, however, to get close to them, he reveals the mind of Itzhak Frey, an old wise Jew with Central European roots and deep Jewish convictions who sells pastries while giving Da Vaz some history lessons and - as a cashier counting the coins - is teaching Da Vaz religious philosophy.