Washington Institute Soref Symposium - with Senior Presidential Advisor Jared Kushner

I recently photographed the Washington Institute for Near East Policy's Soref Symposium. The featured speaker was White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, in conversation with the Institute's executive director, Robert Satloff.  There were numerous other officials and experts on the region presenting, including Ambassador Dennis Ross, IDF Lt. General Gadi Eizenkot, Soner Cagaptay, Patrick Clawson, Michael Singh, former Palestinian negotiator Gaith Al-Omari, Anna Borshchevskaya, Ehud Yaari, Hanin Ghaddar, former Israeli negotiator General Michael Herzog, Bilal Wahab, Simon Henderson, Ambassador Barbara Leaf, Mehdi Khalaji, David Schenker, and numerous others.

Thanks to Jeff Rubin of the Institute for the assignment.

Jerusalem Stories- update/portraits

Here are recently-made film scans of Jewish and Palestinian portraits I made in East and West Jerusalem for potential inclusion in the book project "Jerusalem Stories," that I have been working on with writer Carol Grosman. The book will be published by Wesleyan University Press.

Pictured are Amos Ephriam, Nomi Gutenmacher with her daughters, Gabriel Khano with his wife Delia and granddaughter Lucy, and Miriam Gonczarka.

Old City, Jerusalem | Sami Al-Jundi and Jen Marlowe

I visited my friend Sami Al Jundi, and had a nice surprise in also having the pleasure to meet with one-person human-rights dynamo and documentarian, Jen Marlowe.

I met Sami and Jen years ago when they were both staffers at Seeds of Peace.

They co-created a book together The Hour of Sunlight, about Sami's experiences of transition from prisoner to peacemaker. It is one of the finest autobiographical life stories I have ever encountered, movingly written,. It compellingly portrays Sami's history, struggle, and great heart. I recommend the book highly (its a gripping read, too), as a way to understand the complexities, tragedies, and possibilities for avenues of hope and peace in Jerusalem - as honestly told by someone who has deeply lived it.

Jen runs Donkeysaddle Projects. It's well worth checking out her brave work promoting democracy and human dignity around the globe, and for honesty and fair treatment of prisoners in the United States. Jen's a whirlwind of good energy, a true freedom worker.

After a pleasant time over tea in an Arab cafe, Ruth and I visited with Sami's family in their home in the Old City, where his roots run deep. The hospitality was warm, and his family was kind and welcoming. Shukran. شكر

Blessings to all. And may there be peace. Shalom salaam.

Old City, Jerusalem - Muslim Quarter

Views from the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, on our way to meet friends at the Damascus Gate.