BY EVAN B. STONE During COVID-19, what can you do to highlight the changes and needs in our country and communities? Brian Bowen Smith got into his car to drive across America and document this unique time.
Reese Witherspoon was an early supporter of Brian Bowen Smith‘s series of socially-distanced portraits of diverse people across America during the COVID-19 quarantine. He has been traveling throughout our country in his 1958 Ford f100 taking thought-provoking and awe-inspiring photographs. Not only are these photos an incredible snapshot of this moment in our history but he is also donating all proceeds of the book he has created, Drivebys, to Feeding America!
From Brian Bowen Smith: “We have traveled over 11,000 miles documenting the “sign of our times” raising funds for @feedingamerica
“What started out as taking a drive to snap a few photos, in my old girl “Pearl…” a classic 1958 Ford F100, has grown into a multi-faceted cross-country project of a lifetime. The journey implements the new-normal of Social Distancing while documenting the soul of American culture during the Covid-19 World Pandemic. At a time when a mandated quarantine plagues our beautiful country, this project encompasses the raw essence of the human condition, our sentimental traditions…and at its core, the heart of our people…from sea to shining sea.”
“Emotions are high, as everyone I have met throughout this journey has touched my heart. We have traveled 11,000 miles and documenting the “sign of our times” while doubling as a vehicle to raise funds for Feeding America.”
“Everyone I spoke to seemed to be in the same boat. They are scared and frustrated,” Smith said. “Most just want to get back to their normal life.”
“It definitely changed the way that I look at life now,” Smith said. “Who knows, maybe the world can be a better place when this is all over. Then again…maybe not. But I sure hope so.”
When many of America’s leading celebrities called for a “Free Palestine” eighty years ago this week, they were talking about freeing Palestine from British occupation, in order to establish a Jewish state.
There is a struggle within us between constriction and expansion, between despair and vitality. Good humor can be a powerful ally against the constriction that suffering creates.
The 402-page book is organized around 36 life lessons related to the Book of Genesis, with thoughtful study questions and dozens of responses from respected sources in Jewish thought.
Making Israeli films is not easy. Budgets are generally small by American standards, and international financing has become increasingly difficult to secure amid the cultural boycott of Israeli cinema.
For Judith, her family’s experience as refugees from Iran is part of what drives her commitment to speaking out against antisemitism and never staying silent.
Mickey Katzburg, founder of the World Center for Jewish Education, is trying to give Los Angeles Jews another option: an etrog grown in Israel, while at the same time helping support farmers in the country’s Gaza border region.
The report, which can be found on CampusFairness.org, took into consideration five criteria: incident record, institutional response, anti-Israel organizing, Jewish life on campus, and the legal and structural environment.
Among the most high-profile artists to criticize Macklemore’s MetLife Stadium rant was P!NK. Born Alecia Moore, P!NK is a Jewish Grammy-winning pop star who has been increasingly public about her Judaism and antisemitism since Oct. 7.
Helping During COVID: Driving Across a Socially Distanced America
Lisa Ellen Niver
BY EVAN B. STONE During COVID-19, what can you do to highlight the changes and needs in our country and communities? Brian Bowen Smith got into his car to drive across America and document this unique time.
Reese Witherspoon was an early supporter of Brian Bowen Smith‘s series of socially-distanced portraits of diverse people across America during the COVID-19 quarantine. He has been traveling throughout our country in his 1958 Ford f100 taking thought-provoking and awe-inspiring photographs. Not only are these photos an incredible snapshot of this moment in our history but he is also donating all proceeds of the book he has created, Drivebys, to Feeding America!
From Brian Bowen Smith: “We have traveled over 11,000 miles documenting the “sign of our times” raising funds for @feedingamerica
“The Book” is available for presale NOW: “It is a coffee table book that captures the soul of American culture through the windows of my 1958 Ford F100.”
“What started out as taking a drive to snap a few photos, in my old girl “Pearl…” a classic 1958 Ford F100, has grown into a multi-faceted cross-country project of a lifetime. The journey implements the new-normal of Social Distancing while documenting the soul of American culture during the Covid-19 World Pandemic. At a time when a mandated quarantine plagues our beautiful country, this project encompasses the raw essence of the human condition, our sentimental traditions…and at its core, the heart of our people…from sea to shining sea.”
“Emotions are high, as everyone I have met throughout this journey has touched my heart. We have traveled 11,000 miles and documenting the “sign of our times” while doubling as a vehicle to raise funds for Feeding America.”
“Everyone I spoke to seemed to be in the same boat. They are scared and frustrated,” Smith said. “Most just want to get back to their normal life.”
“It definitely changed the way that I look at life now,” Smith said. “Who knows, maybe the world can be a better place when this is all over. Then again…maybe not. But I sure hope so.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmGfyJpcET/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmETZXA1jP/
Read: A Country in Quarantine: Photographs From a COVID Road Trip in Vanity Fair
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCIPpXSjhu9/
#bbsdrivebys “The Book” is available for presale NOW
https://www.instagram.com/p/CClh0ZKJgdU/
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
NY Mag’s Habibi City
The ‘Fauda’ Enigma
Jewish Democrats Cave to Anti-Semites
Chai Lifeline Families Spend Afternoon with Clippers Center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser
“Just a Few Sleeps Away” by Mike Nichols
Rabbi Kaplan Named JCC Camps Senior VP; Maman Events, JFSLA, Temple of the Arts
Controversial Far-Left Streamer Hasan Piker Scheduled to Speak at Cornell, UT Austin
At Cornell, he is speaking at an event hosted by the Students Not Bombs campaign, which is demanding that the university divest from Israel.
Listen — A poem for Parsha Ha’Azinu
Listen – Moses is about to sing a song
When Celebrities Endorsed a Different “Free Palestine”
When many of America’s leading celebrities called for a “Free Palestine” eighty years ago this week, they were talking about freeing Palestine from British occupation, in order to establish a Jewish state.
A Bisl Yom Kippur~ Plenty of Regrets
Yom Kippur is admitting our plentiful regrets and summoning and building our inner determination and drive to be better people, regrets, and all.
A Moment in Time: The Sound of Now
Enigmatic End: the Penultimate Song in the Torah
Print Issue: Renewing American Jewry | September 18, 2026
In this time of introspection and rising adversity, let us resolve as American Jews to write our new chapter by better understanding our history.
Expanding the Soul
There is a struggle within us between constriction and expansion, between despair and vitality. Good humor can be a powerful ally against the constriction that suffering creates.
Making Torah More Accessible
The 402-page book is organized around 36 life lessons related to the Book of Genesis, with thoughtful study questions and dozens of responses from respected sources in Jewish thought.
Avi Nesher Fights the Boycott with a Human Story
Making Israeli films is not easy. Budgets are generally small by American standards, and international financing has become increasingly difficult to secure amid the cultural boycott of Israeli cinema.
Combating Antisemitism Through Education in Beverly Hills
For Judith, her family’s experience as refugees from Iran is part of what drives her commitment to speaking out against antisemitism and never staying silent.
From Israel’s Farms to Los Angeles: The Etrog with a Purpose
Mickey Katzburg, founder of the World Center for Jewish Education, is trying to give Los Angeles Jews another option: an etrog grown in Israel, while at the same time helping support farmers in the country’s Gaza border region.
What’s in a Name: Peanut Butter Date Bark
Dates are a perfect way to add natural caramelized sweetness to desserts.
Table for Five: Yom Kippur
Elevating the Physical
ACF Report Reveals the Strongest – and Most Concerning – Campuses for Jewish and Pro-Israel Students
The report, which can be found on CampusFairness.org, took into consideration five criteria: incident record, institutional response, anti-Israel organizing, Jewish life on campus, and the legal and structural environment.
Jason Arday, Donald Trump, and the Post-Truth World
For both MAGA and Arday’s defenders, truth doesn’t matter, lies are accepted as facts, and tribe matters above all.
How Yom Kippur’s Afternoon Prophet Inspires America
When Jonah makes his appearance on the holiest day of the year, he is meant to remind Jews across the globe of the remarkable grace of repentance.
Knowing Our History
In this time of introspection and rising adversity, let us resolve as American Jews to write our new chapter by better understanding our history.
Macklemore Dropped from Ed Sheeran Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks at MetLife Stadium
Among the most high-profile artists to criticize Macklemore’s MetLife Stadium rant was P!NK. Born Alecia Moore, P!NK is a Jewish Grammy-winning pop star who has been increasingly public about her Judaism and antisemitism since Oct. 7.
Noah Wyle, Rob Reiner, and the Jewish Winners at the 78th Emmys
Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for playing Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch on HBO Max’s “The Pitt.”
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.