Gisela's Jewish Growth Timeline

Birth

May 17, 1972

I was born to an Ashkenazi family from Germany and Austria. My grandparents were WWII refugees.

Kinderland

Jan 4, 1980

Simply put, the best Jewish summer sleep-away camp ever. I'd say it was the first time that I really felt a strong understanding of what it means to be part of the Jewish community outside of religious practice of any sort. I returned every year since until I was 15.

Move to Sao Paulo

Jan 10, 1984

Biggest city in Brazil, home to the second largest Jewish population of South America (first being Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Congregacao Israelita Paulista

Feb 1, 1984

We joined CIP, one of Brazil's leading congregations. At the time, it was massorti/conservative. Nowadays, it is somewhere in the middle, serving also reform/progressive Jews.

Bat Mitzvah

Sep 14, 1984

Leadership course at CIP

Mar 14, 1985

After bat/bar mitzvah, students begin leadership courses at CIP (Sao Paulo Jewish Congregation) to prepare them to be summer camp leaders and even teachers at Hebrew school.

CIP's sleep-away camp

Jul 15, 1985

I also started going to CIP (Sao Paulo Jewish Congregation) sleep-away camp during the winter break, which is one month lonog in Brazil.

First trip to Israel

Dec 20, 1987

I have a huge family in Israel. In 1987, I spent some two months on my own (without my parents) with cousins, uncles, and great-uncles and aunts. It was an experience that changed my life. I fell in love with Israel.

Second trip to Israel

Jul 10, 1989

My cousin Udi in Regba got married to Miriam. My mother and I flew over. We spent a month over there and I came back talking about joining the army and so on.

Started university in Sao Paulo - Journalism

Mar 1, 1990

Although my plan was to leave for Israel, my parents convinced me to do at least one year of college.

Ulpan Kibbutz Mizra

Apr 10, 1992

Arrived in Kibbutz Mizra for a 6-month ulpan. The only way to convince my parents was to promise that I would at least learn a new language.

Moved to Tel Aviv

May 5, 1993

After 1 year in Kibbutz Mizra, moved to Tel Aviv. Found work and led a "Mediterranean" lifestyle...

Moved to California

Aug 6, 1994

Finished Journalism in California, found part-time jobs teaching Hebrew in synagogue schools.

Started teaching at JPDS

Sep 1, 2008

Began teaching at the Jewish Primary Day School in Washington, DC.

Shoshana Sfarzada - My Mentor

Sep 8, 2010

Shoshana was, and in many ways will always be, my mentor. Shoshana taught me that teaching is not only curriculum-based. It is a holistic experience that needs to reflect the whole person. She also guided me through workplace politics, self-advocating, professional and personal development, and more. There are many educators who had an impact on me, but this educator of educators stands apart.

Met Tomer

Aug 18, 2011

Met my husband Tomer while he was posted in Washington DC with the Israeli embassy.

My son Ariel was born

Aug 21, 2013

Started my MJEd at Hebrew College

Sep 1, 2015