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Entering the World!
Born into an amazing loving Family! I was born in Philadelphia. My parents names me Laura Rachel Marder and my Hebrew name was Rachel Sarah Bruriah. These names tied me to my strong beautiful Aunts. -
Kindergarten!
I began my studies at a preschool and then Kindergarten. Both school were not Jewish but they were run by lovely ladies that attended my Synagogue. I also began Hebew school. I don't remember this but I feel like this is when I began loving all the holidays and making the arts and crafts for them all! -
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Not cool to be Jewish
Middle school was tough. It was not so cool to be Jewish. I was one of very few kids in my school that was a Jew. None of my good friends were Jewish. We learned about the Holocaust and antisemitism. This only led to kids thinking it was cool to tease me about being Jewish and being like Anne Frank.I went through a period of not wanting to be different anymore. I was struggling with wanting to prepare for my Bat Mitzvah while not liking that I was a Jew. -
Bat Mitzvah!
After some struggles fitting into my religion and my body I really pulled it together and my Bat Mitzvah was very self transformative for me. I was so nervous and it all bega to be so meaningful and important. So many of my friends came even though they werent Jewish. They reallly supported me and this helped me become proud of beig different. -
European Travels
I traveled for 3 weeks with People to People. I was the only Jewish Kidon the trip. We went to all Churches and learned so much about the Christian History. This trip really made me interested in learning the Jewish History and one day going back to Europe and seeing the synagogues and towns where Jewish lived. I still to this day am very interedted in world Jewery and learning about past and present Diaspora groups. -
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BBYO YEARS
These high school years are when I reallly began to develope a strong love for Judaism and leadership. I had many leadership positions within BBYO and traveld all over the world meeting with other Jews my age. These are the years that I saw how much beyond the synagogoue Judaism expands. -
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First long term relationship
Dating someone from my youth group showed me how nice and important it is to date a Jew. -
First Bat Mitzvah Graduate
I tutored privately for Bnai Mitzvahs all throughout High school. My first Bat Mitzvah girl to fiinish was a huge event in my life. The pride I felt while hearing her lain Torah perfectly and speak from her heart during her dvar Torah filled me with such pride. This was the moment I knew my life path would somehow always include Jewish education. I saw the confidence my teaching gave her as well as her growth in connection to her community and self. -
Graduating High School and transitioning to Cosmetology School and Collge
Upon graduation I had to make the big decision of college to become a teacher or Hairdressing school. I really loved both and my parents were amazing really supported me so I could accomplish both. Choosing both was difficult but in the end it proved to me that if I lov something and I am determined I can accomplish anything. -
Birthright
Coming to Israel sparked my obsession with Israel!! It also gave me a connection to my Israeli family. -
BBYO trip to Bulgaria
This trip really opened my eyes to Jews living in Eastern Europe. It sparked many life time friendships and connections. -
Loss of Grandpa
This was my first real loss. I was so shocked. I think this was the point when life started feeling more fragile. I had wanted so badlyfor my Grnadfather to be at my haidressing graduation becuase he was an amazing hairdresser and my inspiration. Hm not being alive made me believe that there had to be a way that even after people pass they are watching over us. The day of graduation there was an incredible rainbow. I took this as my sign. -
Haifa University for Jr Year of College
Going aborad reallyed helped me find my way to Jewish Education. I was a Hebrew school teacher before and love it, but this really got me excited for the possibility of getting into Jewish Education professionally. I was also interning at a battered womens shelter doing hair and nails. This year was a perfect balance of my loves and skills. -
Loss of aclose Friend Jeremy Kane
Loosing Jeremy was a shock. He was my age, a marine serving in Iraq. He was killed saving other Marines in his unit from a sucide bomber. Loosing him while I was away in Haifa was one of the hardest times in my life. I created personal davening and meditation that helped me cope and struggle with the evil in the world. -
Rutgers Graduation and Pardes Acceptence
I finished college at Rutgers. Graduating with a degree in Jewish Studies. I was a full time Hebrew school teacher during this year. It felt like everything had bee set up to have me attend this program. I had never been more sure of something in my life. -
Bubbie Died
Loosing my 93 year old Bubbie made me feel like I was looksing a link to the past. I became inspired to keep up better with family history and my roots. -
Gift of Life Bone Marrow Donation
Donating bone marrow was a once in a life time miracle. Being able to save a life renewed my hope that there is so much good battelig the evil in this world. -
Cousin Mollies Wedding
My closest cousin got married! I was a big part of her planning and I learned so much about Jewish weddings. -
Sudden loss of my Uncle
Loosing my Uncle to an unexplainable cause without warning really challenged my faith and my relationship with G-d. I had such a sturdy prayer practice at this point in my life. I felt that my saddness and anger had an outlet within my prayer. . Sticking with prayer really allowed me to heal and explore my feelings and meditate on them. I also said Kaddish in my daily minyan which created a healing space.