Photos offer glimpses of Orthodox Jewish life.

With his intriguing photographs of Orthodox Jewish life in the United States, photographer Bernard Mendoza explores a largely private world that fiercely clings to tradition and resists the influence of modern realities.

It makes for an exhibition that offers rare glimpses into a secret realm. As Mendoza writes in his artist’s statement, “the world of the Orthodox Jew is a world that is guarded tenaciously, a world where outsiders are greeted with great suspicion. Accordingly, it allows the forces of xenophobia and racism to thrive.”

He said his mission is to “open a door for both Jew and Gentile to a world that would otherwise be inaccessible and by doing so, shed a little light on the darkness of ignorance.”

Some of the most striking images in the show play off the juxtaposition of Orthodox Jews, distinguished by dress and tradition-ordained appearances, making their way through public spaces.

In “Fashion Shoot,” an Orthodox fashion photographer stages a shoot on the streets of Manhattan with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the background. His dress, needless to say, contrasts sharply with his subject’s.

“The Hatbox” shows three young Hasidic Jews waiting for a bus, holding a precious hatbox that contains the ornate fur hat worn on the Sabbath, known as the shtimel. Mendoza adopts a more detached perspective for “Tire Shop,” as though he stumbled on the image of Hasidic father and sons.

“Building a Sukkah” depicts two men working on the frame of a structure for the Jewish harvest festival. The dwelling is finished and fancifully decorated in another image, “Steinbergs in their Sukkah,” a family crouched and bonding in the humble, ritual space.

Other aspects of Jewish life are paid respect in the show, including intimate close-ups of “Sofers,” who fastidiously hand-letter Torahs and other religious documents.

On the whole, Mendoza’s project is more about content than style, but his perceptive eye results in images--which through the happy convergence of composition and light--veer toward art.

“Young Boy Sitting on Wall” is an almost Rembrandt-esque portrait of a young boy, a glowing presence enveloped in a dark setting. He appears at once angelic and wise, a bundle of curly golden locks who is dressed in a too big suit.

Other images chronicle actions carefully noted by the photographer. An otherwise pragmatic image from a day in the life, “Matzoh Making,” details the religiously resonant process of food preparation.

Apart from its focus, the photo essay pays tribute to a timeless way of being in a world ever rushing toward modernity.

BE THERE

“From Generation to Generation,” photographs by Bernard Mendoza, through April 22 at the Platt Gallery, University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 203.