The Jewish Lens
Unleash Creativity, Build Lasting Connections & Contribute To A Global Narrative
The Jewish Lens is a transformative seven-week program that connects Chicagoland Jewish teens in 8th- 12th grade with teens in Kyiv, Ukraine through conversations, community building activities, and photography. Teens can create lasting global friendships and delve into shared Jewish narratives through photography.
This program goes beyond just taking pictures. Teens will engage in local in-person and virtual sessions guided by professionals who will help them hone their photography skills and guide their lens to express compelling stories about their connection to Jewish peoplehood: historical memory, values, culture, Hebrew, connections to Israel, and Jewish life.
The program concludes with a local exhibit at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook where teens proudly showcase their photographs—a celebration of their creative journey and collective Jewish experience.
Eliana Melmed is a Jewish wedding and portrait photographer based in Chicago (that also travels all over the U.S.) Her love of photography started in high school and has since taken her around the world, documenting hundreds of stories and celebrations along the way.
Today, she specializes in capturing authentic, joyful moments for Jewish couples and families. When she’s not behind the camera, you can find her listening to the latest Serial Productions podcast, writing children’s books, or exploring her adopted home city. As a member of Chicago’s Lakeview Jewish community, she brings both understanding of Jewish traditions and a warm, welcoming approach to every celebration she documents.
Program Dates
During Spring 2025, Chicago participants will meet three times at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook and two additional sessions with Ukrainian participants over Zoom.
Session 1 (with Kyiv): Sunday, January 19, 11am via Zoom
Session 2: Sunday, February 23, 11am at Bernard Weinger JCC
Session 3: Sunday, March 9, 11am at Bernard Weinger JCC
Session 4: Sunday, March 23, 11am at Bernard Weinger JCC
Session 5 (with Kyiv): TBD, via Zoom
Our showcase will take place at the Bernard Weinger JCC after the final session this Spring. Final details to come.
Register
Questions?
Contact Sam Bolen at sbolen@jccchicago.org.
Eliana Melmed is a Jewish wedding and portrait photographer based in Chicago (that also travels all over the U.S.) Her love of photography started in high school and has since taken her around the world, documenting hundreds of stories and celebrations along the way.
