Portrait Identity Project at Berkeley Hillel

About the Portrait Identity Project

Launched in 2021 by Julia Mattis at Tulane Hillel, the Portrait Identity Project is a series of portraits and interviews of young Jewish adults. Thanks to the love and care of Rabbi Eli and Bonnie Herscher (Class of 1970,) who saw the value of lifting up the diversity of the Jewish journey’s of UC Berkeley Jewish students–and who underwrote this project–we are able to replicate it on our campus. It is an ongoing exploration of students and their constantly evolving Jewish identities, tracing the shifts in customs, practices, value systems, and students’ conception of how their Jewish identities change (or not) over time.

Utilizing 35 mm film and digital portraiture photography, and paired with each students’ own unique story, the photo series will serve as a platform to share, discover and document the stories of Jewish young adults ages 18-26. This initiative creates representation that otherwise does not exist and allows students to tap into the powerful and transformational tool of self-reflection. 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.

The Portrait Identity Project is an extension of Berkeley Hillel’s commitment to creating a radically inclusive community that celebrates all aspects of students Jewish identities and journeys. This initiative empowers all audiences to reflect on how their personal experiences have shaped their identity, to reconsider past perceptions, and to broaden the definition of what it looks like to be a young Jewish adult. It aims to embrace the fact that identity is multifaceted and intersectional, and to transcend definitions of what a “stereotypical Jew” is, or is not. It also serves as a reminder of the work that Hillels and similar spaces still need to focus on and invest time in, in order to ensure that these Jewish spaces are inclusive and welcoming to a variety of backgrounds and experiences. 

Portrait Identity Project at Berkeley

We are so excited to be bringing the Portrait Identity Project to Berkeley Hillel this Spring 2023! This project is an opportunity to truly celebrate Berkeley students’ Jewish identities. Hannah Snyder, the Program Associate at Berkeley Hillel, and Emma Tavangari, Student Board President, are working with Julia Mattis, to share an ongoing exploration of students and their constantly evolving Jewish experiences within the Berkeley community. Hannah will be interviewing 14 students across grades, involvement, and backgrounds to trace the shifts in practices, value systems, and students’ conception of how their Jewish identities change and interact with other facets of their identity. Emma is working to expand the project to highlight Hillel students’ original artwork and include a selection of artwork from the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, and Julia will be taking professional portraits of each student interviewed.

The project was launched with an opening gallery exhibition this April, but if you missed the event, you can still read and view each students’ story below, simply click on each photo to see their full quote!  You can also view photos, taken by Audrey Jacobson (audreyjacobson@berkeley.edu) from the exhibition night here. As you read through everyone’s narrative, take time to reflect on your own personal experiences and how they have shaped your identity. Consider how your Jewish upbringing and connection to Judaism impacts other parts of your identity, and how aspects of your personality and character play into your Jewish story. Identify parts of yourself in some of these quotes, and also notice ways that your journey differs, and recognize that all of these experiences are meaningful and what creates this beautiful Jewish community here at Berkeley Hillel.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about this project, please reach out to Hannah at hsnyder@berkeleyhillel.org.

  • Olivia Yanover (she/they)

    Class of 2025
  • Ron Barzilay (he/him)

    Class of 2023
  • Maiya Masjedi (she/her)

    Class of 2024
  • Rafael (Rafa) Borisonik (he/him)

    Class of 2023
  • Valerian Weinzweig (he/she)

    Class of 2025
  • Emma Tavangari (she/her)

    Class of 2023
  • Katherine Booska (any pronouns)

    Class of 2023
  • Eliana Becker (she/her)

    Class of 2026
  • Amir Grunhaus (he/him)

    Class of 2023
  • Tongai David Makoni (he/him)

    Grad Student
  • Layla Turgel-Goldberg (she/her)

    Class of 2026
  • Rae Blackbird (she/her)

    Class of 2025
  • Mila Yglesias (she/her)

    Class of 2026
  • Noah Rothman (he/him)

    Class of 2024