Miss Israel, Titi Aynam - for OUDC

I recently photographed Titi Aynam, the first Ethiopian-born Jewish Miss Israel. She was speaking at AJC in conjunction with Operation Understanding DC.

Her physical beauty is obvious. She is also an exceptionally articulate and level-headed woman.

One thing she said stuck with me: "when you are the first at anything, there are special pressures and challenges you have to rise to overcome."

Assignment for Enterprise Community Partners

These photographs of Belarussian-born painter Ludmilla Vaynberg, plus a mashgiach (kosher supervisor) in Far Rockaway, New York, were made on assignment for Enterprise Community Partners.

Among its many missions, Enterprise funds and supports efforts that build community resiliency.

These people's lives were distressed by the ravages of last year's Hurricane Sandy, and live in facilities run by JASA, which cares for many living along the hard-hit Atlantic coastline.

Thanks to Nicole Gudzowsky, communications director at Enterprise, for making this happen, and for caring.

Operation Understanding DC at the New Heights Program, Anacostia High School DC

I documented a presentation by Class 19 students of Operation Understanding DC, who facilitated a diversity and empowerment workshop to the 'New Heights Teen Expecting and Parenting Students Program' at Anacostia High School, Washington DC.

Caitlin Christian and Kelsey Brown of OUDC

Caitlin Christian and Kelsey Brown (at rear left), with Aaron Jenkins of OUDC (in white shirt and tie) with staff and students of the New Heights program

Thanks to Aaron Jenkins, the new executive director of OUDC, Caitlin Christian and Kelsey Brown, the OUDC student presenters, and the faculty and members of the program at the high school.