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Attend Cousin Lia's Bat Mitzvah
I am paternally Jewish, to a father who was kicked out of Hebrew School for being too argumentative. My mother was raised Lutheran, but by the time she had children, her only connection to Christianity was having 7 Christmas trees. When I attended my cousin's Bat Mitzvah at age 7, it was my first exposure to Judaism from a religious and cultural level. After this experience, I was HOOKED, and wanted to be a part of this aspect of my identity I had no idea existed. -
Learning about Jewish History & Religion - Starting w/ a Seder
After my cousin's Bat Mitzvah, I wanted to learn more about Judaism in all aspects that I could. My mom's good friend was Jewish, and opened her home to my family for Rosh HaShana. I was mind blown! We continued by starting to observe holidays as we could In this picture is my dad and me, lighting our menorah. Not entirely sure why my dad is wearing a cowboy hat but again, keep in mind, he was kicked out of Hebrew School at 5 years old! -
Discovering the Holocaust
Part of learning Judaism was learning the Holocaust. This GREATLY affected me. My sister, whose interest was also piqued at the time, was so scared when she found out about what happened, she didn't want people to know she was Jewish. I, on the other hand, became so much more connected to Judaism because of the Holocaust. I can't necessarily articulate it, but it made me want to embrace this personal history and identity. I wrote a poem in 2001 about peace & Jews not being killed for being Jews. -
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Because my town was homogenous, my Jewish experiences remained only with the occasional seder at Julie's house and Hanukkah at home. (No prayers) When I went to UofM, I began taking Jewish studies classes and learning more about Jewish cultural roots, religious aspects of Judaism and meeting other Jewish people from around the country and the world. -
Birthright, July 2012
Going to Israel on Birthright in Summer of 2012 was a gamechanger. I felt even more connected to Judaism than I ever had before. Standing at the Western Wall, knowing my grandmother had stood there in 1948 gave me chills. I was finally exposed to more every day Jewish religion & culture, not just a high holiday but a normal Friday Shabbat & Saturday Havdallah. My co-travelers knew the prayers, all the same tune, I was mesmerized. I wanted to learn. I appreciated how inclusive the experience was. -
Tel Aviv, Oranim Summer 2013
Best. Summer. Ever. I did a program through MASA called Oranim, I worked and lived in Tel Aviv for 3 months in the summer of 2013. The past year at school I had felt the need to overcompensate for being half Jewish and tried to be something I wasn't. In Tel Aviv, I saw that Judaism could be whatever you wanted. I lived and worked with people from around the world, all with their own stories. I learned so much about myself and Judaism that summer. How to make Judaism realistic for my lifestyle. -
Hebrew Class at U of M
After my summer in Israel I wanted to learn Hebrew, and move my major to become a dual major, International Studies and Jewish Studies. I really struggled with Hebrew, and was frustrated as many of the other students already knew so much from Hebrew school. It made me realize how much more I had to work for my Judaism, I wasn't born with it thrown in my face. -
Ulpan at HUJI/Gaza War in Israel, Summer 2014
Summer 2014 I began Ulpan at HUJI. This was also the same summer as the Gaza War. While living in Jerusalem for around 2 months, I experienced going into bomb shelters and any given times of the day, and a better idea of what Israelis go through so regularly. It made me better understand how frustrating it is for outside political leaders to try and implement policy on the State of Israel, and the idea that you don't know what it's like until you're there. -
Traveling Alone in Israel
I went to Israel in between an internship and a new job all on my own. I got an email, thinking I was still at my old job at Newshound Media from 2013, to go to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Conference on a press pass. Called my old boss, asked if I could take the spot and she said yes! Otherwise, no plans were to stay, what city and when, etc. Completely winged it, Israeli chic! -
Repair the World 2016-17
I joined the Repair the World Detroit 2016-17. RTW seeks to engage Jewish millennials in service work in the city. This was my first opportunity to truly engage with the Jewish community on a local level. It is a community so hard to penetrate if you're not raised already in it. -
Teaching Hebrew at Shir Shalom
I began teaching Hebrew at a Sunday School program called Shoresh, through Temple Shir Shalom. This was my first exposure to congregational Judaism. Shir Shalom's Website -
Meeting Mitch at a Purim Party
I met my fiancé, Mitch, at a Purim Party that Repair the World and Moishe House (where he was living) co-hosted together. Being with someone who was immersed in Judaism since childhood brought me into the metro-Detroit Jewish community on an even deeper level. -
Starting Hebrew College
My Jewish development continued to grow! While I was working a retail job, I decided to pursue a masters degree in Jewish Education. I loved the Jewish professional field, and wanted to return to organizations that represented my beliefs, sense of community and spirituality. Having an elevated degree in this field would allow me to more easily find a job in the Jewish organizations in my community. -
Working with Rabbi Josh - My most influential teacher
My current boss is the best teacher I have ever had. Technically he's not my teacher, but I have never felt so connected to work I am doing & confident in doing so in my life. Reading Palmer I was taking notes, I wrote down who was my mentor? I realized it was him. To find someone that can best teach you, you need to understand yourself. From working with him, I learn how my values can manifest in the work place; from programming, to office interaction to evolving my Judaism to my ideals. -
Temple Israel
I now work as a Rabbinical Assistant to Rabbi Joshua Bennett & I love my job! I feel as though I finally have a work-life balance, am part of the Jewish community through many threads & still having a growing Jewish identity. 25 years ago when my grandmother died, not being part of the community my parents were assigned a Rabbi for the funeral. It was Rabbi Josh Bennett, and it was 3rd funeral he ever officiated. How full circle is that?! Temple Israel's Website
