Strolling Around Mount Vernon (Baltimore, MD)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin It was a beautiful day in May that I went walking around Mt. Vernon to capture some of the architecture that surrounds this historical district.

Cruising Around Grave Run Road (April 27, 2010)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin Went out with my photograph coach to capture the day. We ended up around Lineboro, MD. The last pictures are of a chicken. I don't know what kind




Music by Peter Himmelman

Fort Mc Henry (Baltimore, MD)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Does anyone know what year the war of 1812 was fought?

I've always wanted to get to the fort, yet never made it there until today. I can't believe how close it is to the Inner Harbor. It's like going from the Kotel to Beit Lechem in Israel.

Burning Down the Chametz (Baltimore, MD)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

March 29, 2010 -- Annual burning of the Chametz (bread) in Baltimore's Jewish Community at the Pimlico Race Track.

I was going to use the song "Burning down the house", yet it just didn't really fit the mood of the photographs.

In the morning before the start of Passover, many orthodox Jews burn all the chametz that was found during the search, and anything that was left over from breakfast and not stored with the chametz that will be sold to the non-Jew.

After the chametz has been burnt in the fire, Jews recite the following declaration:

All leaven or anything leavened which is in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have observed it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be considered nullified and ownerless as the dust of the earth.

New York City - The Movie

© (March, 2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I was in NYC to speak at the Male Survivors conference and took time out to see Central Park and Times Square.

The Road To Camp Shiloh (Hampstead, MD)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went out with a friend to a camp from his childhood.  The camp has since been converted into a Pottery Studio.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the Federal Hill area

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Purim, Queen Esther and the Impossible Dream

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

This film is dedicated to all of the "Queen Esther's" living in the world today who are struggling to accomplish goals in their lives that many believed were impossible, especially to the women who are risking their lives to make the world a better place for us all.  I especially dedicate this film to the women who are fighting to survive after being sexually victimized and are being shunned, shamed and blamed for the actions committed against them by their perpetrator.

 I too have been facing a great number of challenges over the last 18 months.  I know that soon the dream that at times felt was impossible will soon become reality.  

They say Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar since it commemorates a time in which the Jewish people were saved from extermination while living in Persia.  What always concerned me in this story is that all of the Jewish people were freed, except for Queen Esther.  After risking her life, she was left behind, cut off from her people.

Purim and Survivors Childhood Abuse (emotional, physical and sexual abuse)

© (2010) by Vicki Polin

For most people, the holiday of Purim brings up great memories of dressing up in costumes and being silly.  For others Purim is very difficult and confusing time of the year.  It's a time that may conjure up past memories of parents or other adults who cared for them drinking a little too much alcohol and or being drunk.  When this happened their parent, grandparent or another adult care provider  might have lost their ability to control their anger, impulses and or inhabitions. 

For some Purim often mean that families get together, routines are changed, there is also the added stress of cleaning and preparing meals. These issues alone can be extremely stress producing. Unfortunately the reality is that there are parents who are already inclined to use their children as an outlet for emotions and urges. They are even more likely to do so when under the pressure of increased anxiety. Many survivors of childhood abuse report that they were abuse became more intense around and over all holidays (both Jewish and secular holidays).

It is not uncommon for symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) to emerge after times of relative remission and/or intensify in those already struggling. You may experience an increase in disturbing thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks. Thoughts of self-harm, even suicide, may be an issue. The important thing to remember is these feelings are about the past, that the abuse is over, and that it is of utmost importance for you to be kind to and gentle with yourself.

This is written as a reminder to all survivors: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

It's important to remember that whatever works for you is OK --know that you are not alone, not wrong, not bad for having second and third and forth thoughts about how to celebrate and if to celebrate the holidays. Look into yourself and see what you need, then do what you can to do it, and be kind to yourself for needing to make these adjustments.

If you are a survivor of childhood abuse and this is a difficult time of the year for you, please make plans to be with friends or support people. Be sure to call suicide hotlines if necessary.  CALL: 1-800-784-2433 and you will be connected to a crisis center nearest to you.

Baltimore's Jewish Community Digging Out After The Second Blizzard of 2010

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Three Dog Night 
I took these during a walk to a friends home.  It was a bright sunny day, much different then yesterday. People were busy digging out their cars. Everyone had to walk on the streets since the sidewalks were covered with four to six feet of snow.

Second Blizzard in Baltimore 2010 - Photos Taken Between 4:00 - 6:00 PM

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: "Wintertime", by Steve Miller Band


Also see: Part 1 of the second blizzard in Baltimore

Second Blizzard in Baltimore 2010 - Photos Taken Around Noon

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull


I started taking some pictures last night.  When I woke up it was just freezing rain.  Around 11:30 it turned back to snow.  When the wind blows it turns into whiteout.  They are saying so far we have about 19 inches of snow.  Baltimore is calling this a phase 3 storm, meaning no one is allowed to drive within the city, except emergency vehicles.


The National Guard is in my neighborhood driving Hummers.  While I was out several people from Shomrim stopped to offer me a ride.  I told them I was just taking pictures.  I also mentioned I was from Chicago. They smiled and oh, your fine then.  The storm has changed since I was out and it's even too dangerous for me.  It's about 2:30 - 3:00 PM.  There are four different video's below.  Also see Part 2 of the second blizzard







Western Run





Clarks Lane and Fallstaff




Off of Clarks Lane

Pre Baltimore Blizzard Number 2 (February 9, 2010)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Bad Moon, by CCR

We started off the day by going to the grocery store.  It felt like it was the day after xmas or they were giving away free food.  The shelves were getting pretty empty.  It sort of felt festive in a strange sense.


I went out with a friend in and around Hunt Valley. Just needed to escape before the next blizzard hit Maryland.  I have a feeling we will be snowed in for another week.


We already had 2 to 3 feet of snow.  Another 12" to 24" inches expected.

48 Hours Post Baltimore Blizzard 2010

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin


It's about 48 hours since the blizzard ended, yet recovery is very slow in Baltimore. These pictures were taken within the eruv (Jewish community). Everyone I know seems to have cabin fever, including me.  I had to get out and walk around.  Almost everyone I know still get their cars out due to the amount of snow on the side streets.

The 2010 Blizzard Within The Eruv of Baltimore

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music:  Lara's Theme from Doctor Zhivago

The following pictures were taken within the Jewish community of Baltimore and Pikesville, Maryland.  

We had a major snowstorm.  I started taking pictures when the storm began, and then the next day once I was able to get out my door.  In some places the snow drifts were just about as tall as me.  Most places the snow came up to my hip.  It was absolutely beautiful.  

The Day After The Storm - Carrol County, Maryland

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went out with a friend the day after a major snow storm in Maryland and took the following pictures.  I divided them up into two different videos due to the volume of photographs taken.

Part 1


Part 2

Shabbos Snowstorm Within The Eruv of Baltimore

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

We had another snowstorm in Baltimore.  I needed to get out for a walk so I took my camera along for some exercise.  The song has been playing in the jute box in my head for the last several days, figured the two had to go together.  :-)

FYI:  During this film you will see people pushing the elderly in wheelchairs in the snow.  Because it's shabbos it is the only way they can bring loved ones for shabbos meals.

Music: "Brand New Key" by Melanie.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Federal Hill

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: "Rabenu's Niggun by Simply Tsfat 
I had a lot to think about and needed time and space to focus in on what I really wanted, so I wondered down to the Inner Harbor and around Federal Hill.

Rocks State Park - Waterfall

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
September, 2009

Liberty Falls and the Mc Keldin Rapids Trail (Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland)

© (2010) Photographs by Vicki Polin

There are three different films posted here. The first is a collection of still shots, the other two are movies of Liberty Falls and the Mc Keldin Rapids.

Collection of Still Shots
Music by Peter Himmelman - "Oliver Mast Mix"




Liberty Falls




Mc Keldin Rapids