UJA

Last week I started working on a project for the UJA, United Jewish Appeal, to restock their photography library. Over the next few months I will be photographing at various organizations that are recipients of UJA funding. I knew that this would be a great project, but after only one shoot it has already exceeded all of my expectations. The first assignment was at a monthly gathering of Holocaust survivors organized by Selfhelp. There are four separate groups that meet once a month, so once a week the staff stages an operation of amazing logistical proportions. Fleets of car services are dispatched to all points in Brooklyn to transport the participants to and from the Flatbush Jewish Center for lunch and a musical program free of charge. For some it is the main event of their month, a way to get out and connect with the only people who can truly understand their pasts, for me it was an amazing treat. I have met Holocaust survivors before, but never so many at one time. My feelings can best be summed up by quote from one of the Selfhelp community workers Joe, “You could write a book about anyone in this room!” He was so right.