A Note from the Photographer and Creator

After hundreds of conversations and hours spent listening to students' stories, I became increasingly aware that the Ashkenormative lens through which Jewish narratives are told is a problem that leaves many Jewish students feeling like they struggle to belong.

In response, I tapped into my background as an artist and a photographer to create the Portrait Identity Project (PIP). This initiative pairs portraiture photography, reflective interviews, and storytelling to broaden the perception of what being Jewish "looks like" and instigate reflection on intersectional identities.

Two years and about 90 interviews spanning students from Tulane to Cal Berkley to Ithaca College later, I’m in awe of students’ vulnerability and ability to reflect on how their experiences have shaped their identity. By sharing their stories, students uplift us all, reminding us of the complexity of the human experience.

I hope the impact of this project extends beyond this book and encourages all to engage with and listen to people’s stories, for what we’re doing with the Portrait Identity Project is telling stories of contemporary that will become history.

It’s also important to note that while this project serves as a platform to share, discover, and document individual stories, it’s limited to the people I had the privilege to interview and photograph. This body of work is ongoing and by no means a complete representation of all people who embrace “Jewish” as a part of their identity.