The ‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories’ exhibit of photographs by Steven Laschever had an opening reception on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

By Ronni Newton. Photos by Craig Rosenberg

An striking exhibit of the work of acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever opened with a reception at the Mandell JCC in West Hartford on Sunday, Dec. 7.

“Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories” features more than 100 images, all in black and white – portraits and tableaus of the diverse Jewish community in the Greater Hartford area.

“This groundbreaking photography exhibit is a testament to our resilience, our contributions, and our rich history. It celebrates local Jewish life in all its vibrant complexity, and transcends tradition. It portrays Judaism in every day life, and unearths the soul of a diverse and dynamic community,” the Mandell JCC said in a news release.

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

More than 800 people were photographed for the exhibit, over a period of 18 months, the JCC said.

In his artist statement on the JCC website, Laschever said the creation of this project was a challenge test of his craft and a dream come true. “A simple moment made permanent. And through these images, I aimed to show a Jewish community with people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, identities, and experiences – a collection that reflects our diverse as our community as a whole. Do these images explain what it means to be part of Jewish Hartford? Absolutely! Kind of? You decide.”

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

The exhibit, in the Chase Family Gallery, will be open through Jan. 23, 2026. The permanent record of Laschever’s work will be preserved in a book available for sale at the exhibit or online.

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

‘Jewish Hartford. Our Community. Our Stories.’ photography exhibit by acclaimed photographer Steven Laschever at Mandell JCC. Photo credit: Craig Rosenberg

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