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Birth
I was brought into this world on a brisk fall day five days after my mothers birthday ( she says i was the greatest birthday gift ;) I gave my mother another daughter, my sister a sister and my two brothers another sister. Born in a no longer existing hospital in Manhattan New york i was brought home to my loving family the Upper west side. Soon after i had a Simchat Habat to celbrate traditionally the birth of a Jewish girl. We have it all on tape! -
My first summer on Camp Moledet in Israel (that i can remember)
My father used to have a summer camp in Israel called Moledet. I have the fondest memories of traveling all over the country with 50 16-17 year old teenagers. This summer was the first summer that i was able to remember the different smells, sights and faces of my time in Israel...these experiences sparked a curiosity and love for the land -
1st Grade Siddur party
I recieved my first persnalized siddur from my principle and teachers. We sang songs and recited various prayers. This was a conclusion to many hours of prayer study. I remember the feeling of absolute excitement when i saw my own name in puff paint on the first page of the siddur. -
Death of Talia (close friend)
After a yearlong struggle for life, my best friend of 8 died of a braintumor. We were just about to start 3rd grade when i heard the heartbreaking message on my answering machine; Talia had died. I was faced at age 8 with questions and struggles i did not know what to do with. I turned to God unable to grasp the magnitute of what happened. My mother really guided me through the tough times- especially since my Jewish Day School fell terribly short at doing so. May her memory be a blessing... -
Bat Mitzvah
For my Bat Mitzvah, i decided i did not want a party like all my friends were having, rather i wanted to celebrate all of the wonderful women in my life and in Jewish History. We made a mural of various women from jewish History and learnt about their legacies. My Oma and Savta (grandmothers) mother, sister, female cousins and sister spoke beautifully at a brunch in my shul as we celebrated me becoming a young jewish Woman. -
Highschool
Highschool brought many challeneges to my questioning my faith, texts and religion. I ddi not feel my teachers were equipt to answer or entertain my questions and therefore felt marginalized. Despite those challenges my highschool offered a lot of opportunities for singing dancing and spirituality (however it was with in a specific framework) -
Seminary (Sha'alvim For Women)
I spent the year in an American Seminary in Jerusalem, Israel. Because of my highschool experiences i tried hard as might to "feel accepted" for who i was in a community that sold itself as following the ultimate word of God and Torah Judaism. I therefore decided on this seminary b/c at the time i thought that would give me a sense of religious acceptance ina world i always felt on the outskirts of. It was an incredibly hard year but i continued to look for my own truth... -
Made Aliyah
Moved to Israel and started Bar ilan University. Despite my negative seminary experience i wanted to live in Israel and experience life there as me and just me. -
Wedding/ Hand crafted Chuppah
Married the love of my life under a beautiful summer sky night- under my family's handcrafted chuppah that my Savta had made for all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren to be married under. My Saba sang our Ketuba in the tune of Shir Hashirim and we were lead into our marriage with heritage, tradition, family and tons and tons of love. -
Bar Ilan University
Attended Bar Ilan University where i got my BA in english literature. This was a big turning point in my jewish journey as we ( my husband and i ) were now living in Israel. I was allowing myself to question, search, explore all different parts of my connection to Judaism- not confning myself to any one group or ideology. -
Thailand Trip
Perhaps it is being in a foreign country, knowing no one and feeling completley and utterly alone in the best way possible. It was such an eye opening experience. Seeing how different peopel live their lives gave me the confidence to truly know that whichever way i live if i am being honest and true to myself i will feel fulfilled. -
Start of PEP (Pardes Educators Program)
Before the begining of this life changing desicion- we decided we wanted to go back to America for a while. Our experiences in Israel thus far have been a worlwind of different emotions (to say the least). We will forever look back at this time fondly but are ready for the next stage in our lives. Attending Pardes (thus far) has given me such hope in the Jewish peoples future- as we all come together with differing ideologies, ideals and practices all for the sake of our tradition and Education.
