Class Correspondent

Harald Helfgott has solved a venerable problem in mathematics — the three-primes problem, or the weak Goldbach conjecture — that states that any odd number greater than five is the sum of three prime numbers. On May 13, Harald posted a 133-page manuscript proving the conjecture. His argument relies on the circle method. The problem is a cousin of the more famous, and still unsolved, Goldbach conjecture, which states that any even number is the sum of two prime numbers. Harald is a researcher at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Erica Lowenfels Papir lives in New York City with her husband, Ryan, and their daughter, Charlotte, who turned 4 years old in July. Erica and Ryan were expecting their second child in early May. Erica just completed her 14th year as the director of admissions at the Caedmon School, a nursery through fifth grade independent school, where she works part time. Still in touch with many Brandeis friends around the country, Erica was sorry to miss the Reunion but hopes to see everyone at the next one. Cindi Eckstein-Pitta, Gus Pitta and big brother Danny welcomed a baby boy, Alexander Steven Pitta, on Nov. 19, 2012, in Montclair, N.J. His Hebrew name is Avraham Melech. Ilena Ginzburg Marron and husband Kip welcomed their second daughter, Eden Olivia, on Jan. 23. She joins her older sister, Lila. Anne Pollock’s first book, “Medicating Race: Heart Disease and Durable Preoccupations With Difference,” was published last year. She spoke about the book on a panel discussion with television host Melissa Harris-Perry on MSNBC. Ben Greenberg reports that he and his wife, Elisa Greenberg ’97, and their three boys moved to Salt Lake City in early June. C.C. Webster is a producer at Special Team Films, a commercial production company based in New York. Her feature script, “Blue Ball, Pa.,” is in development with Napkin Note Films, and a film she directed, “Babies” (written and produced by Academy Award winner Mara Kassin), is in production. C.C. was recently engaged to be married to Mark Kaufmann, an assistant director. Camilo Smith is a digital reporter and social media editor at the Pocono Record newspaper in Pennsylvania. Joy Sisisky and Jonathan Salky welcomed Emmanuelle “Emmy” Rya Salky to their family on March 27. She joins big sister Alexandra. Samantha Ratner is a podiatrist and wound-care specialist practicing in Seaford, N.Y. She and her husband, Josh ’99, an attorney for PIMCO, are happily living in Syosset with their children, Yael, 8, and Jeremy, 5.

Submit a Class Note