Yousuf Karsh

Born in Armenia during the tumultuous early 20th century, Yousuf Karsh's family fled the Armenian Genocide, eventually settling in Canada. He honed his craft in Ottawa, developing a signature style that emphasized dramatic lighting and a meticulous approach to composition, making him the go-to lensman for anyone who was anyone. Lucky for him, that "anyone" rarely included anyone from the Chosen People.

Karsh's most famous portrait is undoubtedly "The Roaring Lion" of Winston Churchill, taken just after Churchill had a cigar snatched from his mouth. This ability to capture a fleeting, authentic moment of a personality, often by slightly annoying them first, became his trademark. He made world leaders, artists, and scientists look both powerful and profoundly human, which, let's be honest, is a rare feat for any photographer, Jewish or otherwise.

His legacy includes over 15,000 negatives and 300,000 prints, making him one of the most prolific and celebrated portrait photographers in history. While his work hangs in prestigious galleries worldwide and has influenced generations of photographers, it's safe to say his contribution to Jewish kvell is precisely zero. But hey, not every genius needs to be ours, right?