My name is Victor Holk.
I write and sing and play and perform and make and love songs

Benjamin grew up in the free-thinking atmosphere of Berkeley California and now lives an Orthodox religious lifestyle in Jerusalem.  His travels around the face of the earth parallel his spiritual journey inward.
As an adolescent, Benjamin learned juggling; skateboarding, playing guitar, and late-night spray painting.  There were few things he didn't try and most things he did, he mastered.  
After one year of College he decided to explore his roots and signed up for a program on a kibbutz in northern Israel.  Little did he know, there, he would meet his future wife.   
Vera had come from Ecuador to seeking a life of more substance.  
During the six months at the kibbutz Benjamin a Vera, both 19 yrs old at the time, learned Hebrew, did ceramics and photography, traveled around Israel, and howled with the Jackals in the Galilean hills above the Jordan River.
After the program ended Benjamin returned to California and Vera stayed in Israel traveling. 
Benjamin set up camp in the redwood tree forest of northern California, built a straw bale cabin, hooked his sink up to the spring and bought himself a 1978 Honda motorcycle.  
Loving his free flowing life, Benjamin became known as the Capoerista on the motorcycle holding his acoustic guitar.  He would jam everywhere and attracted fellow like minded seekers. 
After 5 years Benjamin finally reunited with Vera. 
He was on an adventure driving a used French fry oiled power van from California to Panama when his life changed.  He and two friends rigged up a Scooby Doo Dodge van to run on used grease from fast food joints and had traveled 8,000 kilometers for 3 months, hitting up every water fall they saw until most money ran out and they sold the van in Costa Rica.  
During this same time Vera contacts Benjamin asking him to come to visit her in New Jersey were she was stopping over before going on to Israel. 
Eager to see her again Benjamin used the last cash he had from selling the Scooby Doo van and flew to New Jersey.
Upon meeting, she began telling Benjamin about the wonderful life style of religious Judaism that she had discovered. This was foreign and a bit uncomfortable for him, especially the part where he couldn't touch her.
"Even just to hold hands?"  He asked, "I am sorry Benjamin, I am Shomer Negiah."
"Shomer  what?" Benjamin asked surprised.    She explained that unmarried religious girls don't touch men.
She explained that if they wanted to pursue a relationship together he would have to learn a little more about Judaism.  He had no problem; he didn't know anything about it anyway so he agreed. 
Shortly after wards he was learning in Yeshiva in Jerusalem.  
This is just the beginning of the story.
Now they happily live in Jerusalem with six children.



VictorHolk is following