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Chaya Vered bat Reuven
8 days after my Bubbie Edith passed away, my father got up from shiva, and I was born! Taking her Hebrew name of Chaya, I learnt from a very young age that I was following in a wonderful woman's footsteps. She was a fabulous cook, lover of family, and a people-pleaser - traits I try to emulate every day. -
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Herzliah High School Student
As a student, I really hated going to school. I was the only full Ashkenazi student in my grade, and felt a disconnect to my classmates who loved their Sephardi heritage. Because I felt so uninvolved, I made my life USY, and devoted all my time to outside-of-school activities. -
Meeting My Beshert, Without Even Knowing
The first time I met David (my now husband), he was 14 and I was 16. I told him right away how adorable he was, and wanted to marry him. He thought I was insane, but I knew at that moment that I wanted to prove to him that I was the Jew he'd want to marry. -
Membership Kadima VP
After three years of making USY my life, I ran, and was elected as the regional Membership Kadima Vice President for the ECRUSY region. Receiving this position allowed me to represent my love for USY while also serving as an example for members on how to walk and talk the way of a "good" Jew. -
First Visit to the Kotel
My first visit to Israel, on USY Classic Summer Pilgrimage. It was this trip that made me beyond grateful for all the hardships of my life, and realize that USY and Israel were my way of starting anew. -
Second Lebanon War
Despite the timestamp on this picture, this was actually taken the night that the Second Lebanon War broke out, while I was volunteering for the Israeli Army, in Gadna. We were told that we had the uniform on, and so we must act as soldiers. This had to be one of the scariest but also most empowering moments, and made me want to make Aliyah. -
BDE Hadassah Leah bat Miriam Golda
After being sick seemingly my entire life, my mother passed away with her whole family by her side peacefully and quietly. Though constantly angry at Gd, I also learnt that life wasn't always going to be fair, but at least I had endless amounts of love and support from my family. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her, and think about what she'd think if she knew I followed in her footsteps of becoming a Jewish educator. -
York Undergrad
My first year away at University, I moved to Toronto, into a dorm. I had no idea what to expect, especially living on my own. It was here that I really started to keep Shabbat and Kashrut for me, and learn to follow the mitzvot as I wanted to, not just because I was living with someone who wanted me to.. -
Hebrew U
My third year of University, I went abroad to the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University. Not only did I grow as a student, and a Jew, I grew as a person. I learnt how to make Shabbat dinners for 30+ students, and appreciate living in Israel as a regular person, and not just as a student. -
Wedding!!
After almost seven years together, David and I finally got married at the most beautiful ceremony in Toronto. Surrounded by many friends and family, I knew this would be the start of a new life, with the man I loved more than anyone. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for the life I live as this man's wife (or rather, he as my husband!). -
Big Move to Israel
10 days after getting married, David and I picked up and moved to Israel. David, studying at Pardes, whereas I was working in the Old City of Jerusalem. I finally got to live and breathe the Israeli lifestyle, and try out Israeli living before I ever commit to one day (Gd willing) making Aliyah! -
Pardes Centre for Jewish Studies
After working for a year in the Old City, I was accepted into the Experiential Educator's program at Pardes. Having never really learnt Talmud and Torah from an academic standpoint, my year was broadened with knowledge that I never thought I could ever accumulate. I am forever grateful for all the learning I had as it helped me get a stronger appreciation for the upbringing I had, and the future I want to keep. -
Herzliah High School Teacher
Though I vowed as a student to never come back to Herzliah, I nervously accepted a position as the Coordinator of Jewish Life and a Judaic Studies teacher. I'm super excited and nervous about the year ahead, and I know that it will ground me as a teacher, wife, and person. -
I'm a Graduate Student?
After applying to Pardes Day School educators track and seeing that it wouldn't be the right fit for me, Hebrew College took a chance on me, and I on it. I never thought I would go as far as I did in education, and yet, I keep thirsting for it more. I feel proud of my accomplishments, and truly value the education I had growing up.
