Born to a Jewish family in New York City, Serge J-F. Levy worked as a photojournalist for 10 years, publishing his work in such magazines as Harper’s, ESPN and Life before turning to the art world. His first major solo exhibition in the United States, In Private, which is showing at Gallery 339 in Philadelphia, is anchored in the traditions of street photography. Levy’s candid photographs of strangers in the urban landscape capture flickers of emotion that burst out of people in moments of intense passion. These flickers make private thoughts visible and hint at broad internal dialogues.

The photographs are primarily aesthetic objects, but they also have a social message, which Levy describes as “the need for empathy, interaction, and acceptance within the great diversity of the human personality.” Levy worries that the public realm is becoming increasingly unfamiliar and uncomfortable as Americans spend more time in the private sanctuaries of house and car. His photographs jolt the viewer out of self-enforced isolation and encourage connection.

Levy’s belief in the importance of identification between strangers derives, at least in part, from his personal history. The descendant of a Nazi concentration camp survivor, he says he is constantly reminded of the extreme passivity and indifference with which Europeans responded to the plight of their one-time neighbors. Levy’s artwork has garnered him numerous awards, including the W.K. Rose Fellowship in the Creative Arts and recognition in contests sponsored by magazines The Photo Review and American Photo. For the duration of his street-photography project, he never left home without a roll of 35 mm film in his pocket and a camera around his neck.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount