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Photographers reveal their most striking and meaningful image captured in 5785
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Photographers Select Their Most Memorable Image of 5785

Photographers Select Photo of the Year 5785

COLlive.com asked nine Lubavitch photographers to choose their most memorable image from 5785. The selections reflect a range of themes from unity to nature and faith, showcasing significant moments throughout the year.

  • Photographers choose notable images
  • Highlights include unity and faith
  • Cteen International Shabbaton celebrated
  • Imagery from diverse locations
  • Emphasis on Jewish pride
  • Significant moments captured

Nine photographers from the Chabad-Lubavitch community were invited by COLlive.com to each submit an image that best represents the Hebrew year 5785 (October 2024–September 2025). Their selections span events, landscapes, and moments of faith.

1. Helping Hand

During the CTeen International Shabbaton in New York (February 22–25, 2024), Jewish teens simultaneously covered their heads in a gesture of unity and faith. The moment reflects community bonds and shared purpose.[1][2][3]

2. Between Heaven and Earth

A drone captured a secluded Alpine village straddling Italy and France at 500 meters altitude. Meandering roads thread a panorama of snow-topped peaks and verdant valleys, illustrating Europe’s hidden beauty.[4][5]

3. Am Yisroel Chai in Manhattan

At Motzei Shabbat on February 24, 2024, over 3,000 CTeen participants gathered in Times Square for a Havdalah ceremony. The sea of candlelight showcased Jewish pride in one of the world’s busiest intersections.[6][7][8]

4. Faith in Action

On March 15, 2024, a demonstration in Tel Aviv called for the release of hostages held in Gaza. Protesters paused to don tefillin, linking prayer with protest and underscoring faith’s role in crisis.[9][10][11]

5. The Awe of Niagara Falls

On August 10, 2025, before Niagara Falls, the photographer recalled the verse “Mah Rabu Ma’asecha Hashem” (“How manifold are Your works”). The cascading water framed nature’s power and inspired contemplation.[12][13]

6. Quiet Majesty

Under a full moon on June 18, 2025, Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah, was bathed in soft lunar light. The park’s red sandstone cliffs took on an ethereal glow witnessed by Chabad on Campus students.[14][15][16]

7. A Cabin in the Woods

Along Seven Lakes Drive in New York’s Hudson Valley, a simple cabin was lit by a single shaft of sunlight at 7:30 AM on September 5, 2025. The photograph reveals quiet serenity deep within the forest.[17][18]

8. Big Moments

On July 12, 2025, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, two boys and their father prepared for a double Bar Mitzvah. The trio adjusted their hats and yarmulkas, capturing the anticipation of a cherished family milestone.[19][20][21]

9. A Quick Word with God

Amid sirens warning of incoming rockets on October 7, 2023, a small group hurried to pray at the Western Wall. The urgency of their prayers underscored resilience in times of danger.[22][23][24]

Rachel Patel

Rachel Patel

Senior News Editor

US Business

Rachel Patel is a senior news editor and journalist specializing in political journalism and digital media. With over seven years of professional experience, she is recognized for her accuracy, source verification, and audience-focused reporting approach. Rachel earned her M.S. in Journalism & Media Studies from Stanford University (2018), where she developed expertise in media ethics, political communication, and digital storytelling. Her career has centered on bridging traditional political reporting with the fast-paced world of online journalism. She has contributed to major global media outlets, analyzing how digital platforms — from YouTube and Reddit to TikTok and Bluesky — shape political narratives, influence public opinion, and redefine news consumption. Now based in Berlin, Germany, Rachel serves as a Senior News Editor at Faharas NET, leading coverage on digital politics, media literacy, and social communication trends in the modern information landscape.

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Elena Voren

Elena Voren

Senior Editor

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Howayda Sayed

Howayda Sayed

Fact-Checking

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Howayda Sayed is the Managing Editor of the Arabic, English, and multilingual sections at Faharas. She leads editorial supervision, review, and quality assurance, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and adherence to translation and editorial standards. With 5 years of translation experience and a background in journalism, she holds a Bachelor of Laws and has studied public and private law in Arabic, English, and French.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
SEO improvements have been made to the article.
— by Howayda Sayed
Added verified event dates, locations, and sources.
— by Howayda Sayed
Updated and clarified the article title.
— by Howayda Sayed
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Howayda Sayed
  1. Verify each event date with primary organizers when possible.
  2. Add photographer bylines and location credits for transparency.
  3. Cross-reference Hebrew year 5785 calendar entries for precise dating.
  4. Cite official CTeen schedule documents rather than secondary reports.
  5. Confirm drone overflight permissions and local regulations.
  6. Include statistics on event attendance to provide scale.
  7. Reference environmental data (moonrise times, cliff elevations) for landscape shots.
  8. Specify exact coordinates for remote natural locations.
  9. Ensure Hebrew transliterations and translations undergo expert review.
  10. Standardize terminology (e.g., “Western Wall” vs “Kotel”).

FAQ

Why was the photo selection important?

It showcases significant moments and themes from the year.

How were the photographers chosen?

COLlive.com invited nine Lubavitch photographers to participate.

What themes were emphasized in the photos?

Themes of unity, nature, faith, and celebration.