Yelena Altman

Yelena was a senior at Hebrew Academy when she became involved with the New Jewish Filmmaker Program. While filming Gary’s Story, she began to truly appreciate the exceptional relationship teenagers have with their grandparents, especially those recently immigrated to the U.S. from the U.S.S.R. After high school, Yelena went to UC San Diego where she studied International Politics and Judaic Studies. NJFP gave her the impetus to become involved on campus with Israel activism and sorority life while still exploring her Russian/Jewish heritage. Yelena has become active in local San Diego politics and hopes to attend graduate school in the future for counter terrorism and homeland security.


Check out excerpts from the films Yelena worked on: