Do Christians and Jews think differently about God? In what ways are our communities similar? In what ways are they unique? Samantha Mandeles is a passionate photographer, and her images are the subject of an exhibition titled "The Abayudaya: Portrait of an African Jewish Community," which captures the daily lives and spiritual vibrancy of a Jewish community in Namutumba, Uganda. She has contributed to Newsweek, the Jewish News Syndicate, and other publications and appeared in the documentary, "The J Street Challenge."

Her professional work spans counterterrorism research, journalism, and documentary photography. In 2025, Sam joins the Board of Directors at the Interfaith Center at Miami University. We reflect on how her background shapes her interfaith perspective, and she shares powerful stories behind her images, offering lessons that the global Jewish community can teach those of us committed to interfaith work.