Young Shlucha’s Photo on Display

By COLlive reporter

A photograph by 13-year-old Leah Schlanger, a young shlucha in Bakersfield, CA is on display at the Vice President’s residence in Washington, D.C., this month, bringing the light of Chanukah to many.

The photo of a Chanukah Menorah with colorful candles, along with images from nine other kids from across the country, were chosen as part of a new collaboration between National Geographic Kids and Dr. Jill Biden, second lady of the United States, to celebrate young photographers.

The Bidens have always displayed rotating art in the Vice President’s Residence for guests to enjoy, and this new project, which launched in July 2015, showcases the work of budding photographers.

Each month, National Geographic Kids editors select top photographs from “My Shot,” National Geographic’s photo community for kids. The photos are then exhibited on a rotating digital frame at the Vice President’s Residence, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy multiple amazing photographs each month.

“I was inspired by the beauty of the Chanukah lights when I took this picture,” says Schlanger, who enjoys taking photographs when she is not busy with her studies in the eighth grade of the Shluchim Online School. “The bright colors of the candles really exemplified the joy of my favorite holiday, Chanukah,” she said.

“Joe and I are proud to bring the creativity of so many young photographers from across the country into our home and to see the world through their lens,” said Dr. Biden. “I am so impressed by the incredible talent and professionalism of these kid photographers, and I look forward to sharing their work with our family, friends and all those who visit the Vice President’s Residence.”

“I’m thrilled to join Dr. Biden in congratulating the extraordinarily talented young photographers whose images have been selected for display at the Vice President’s Residence,” said National Geographic Society President and CEO Gary E. Knell. “National Geographic is committed to inspiring, educating and celebrating young people, because they are the leaders who will protect our planet in the future.”

To view the 10 images on display in the Vice President’s Residence and other amazing photos, visit http://kids-myshot.nationalgeographic.com/.