Columbia-Barnard Kraft Center

,

Central Park Picnic - Kraft Center

,

There is no doubt about it that the post-COVID world is here. NYC is alive and Central Park, New York City’s backyard, is open for business. The Columbia-Barnard Hillel welcomed back current and former students with a Sunday brunch, setup by Perfect Picnic NYC, which was perfectly executed with blankets, lunch, pillows, and drinks. For some of the staff and guests they had not seen one another in 15 months.

Central park nyc event photography

Photographing a picnic in the park really made New York City feel alive once again. Guests were hugging one another, sitting closely together, laughing, and finally not wearing masks. I loved photographing open facial expressions, laughter, and all of the visual emotions that make a photograph memorable. As a NYC event photographer it felt great to openly be doing what I love doing, capturing great photos.

nyc is alive once again and so is jonathan heisler photography

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY!

,

Sarah Hurwitz - Former Michelle Obama Speech Writer

,

Sarah Hurwitz, head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and author of the new book "Here All Along” joins Columbia-Barnard students at the Kraft Center. Besides discussing her new book, Sarah also discussed her experience as Mrs. Obama’s speechwriter, the challenges of writing for someone else while maintaining their voice, and her non-linear career path.

Seixas Dinner - Columbia University Kraft Center

The Gershom Mendes Seixas Award is bestowed by Columbia/Barnard Hillel on those who have made outstanding contributions to Jewish life at Columbia University and Barnard College. The Columbia-Barnard Kraft center honored Rabbi Michael Paley and Jim McMenamin at its annual Seixas Gala Dinner.

Robert Kraft, New England Patriots owner, was the honorary dinner chair. Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York and Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of Hillel International spoke at the event. At the end of the evening, Robert Kraft announced that Jonathan and Jeannie Lavine and family contributed $2.5 million to an endowment fund to support the work of Columbia/Barnard Hillel. In appreciation of their gift, the Executive Director position will now be known as the Lavine Family Executive Director. The Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, a Columbia alum and a friend of both the honorees and of Jonathan Lavine's, spoke via video at the dinner. 

Columbia Barnard Hillel - Seixas Dinner Headshots

The above photos will be used to highlight a select few Columbia-Barnard Hillel students at the 2017 Seixas Dinner. The Seixas Dinner, will be held on May 10, 2017 at the Columbia University Low Library. Each student will be presented on a presentation roll-up banner with a unique quote highlighting the Columbia-Barnard Kraft Center's role in each students' Jewish development.

Dedicating A New Torah

The dedication of a new Torah is traditionally celebrated with great festivity, and the specifics of the celebration vary from one community to the next. On Sunday, April 2, 2016 the Columbia-Barnard Kraft Center Hillel received their new Torah with great celebration.