Tell us about your family:
Joel and I have 3 adult children: Aaron is married to Addie, Ben is in a long term relationship with Ali, and Miriam is in a long term relationship with Sean
How long have you been a BAI member?
We joined in 2011
Where are you from?
I grew up just outside of Baltimore, in the “shtetl” of Pikesville.
What is your favorite thing about BAI?
It is impossible to choose a favorite. I love how people support one another, how the music fills my soul, and that we have so many interesting people from such varied backgrounds. We come together and share this special bond of being part of this beautiful community.
Most memorable event or program at BAI?
I love our MLK weekends. I love singing in the choir each year, and our greater community joins together to celebrate the hope and inspiration of MLK.. Our amazing MLK Day of Service brings in so many people from around Philadelphia to our sacred space, which is beautiful to see.
What is your favorite Jewish family tradition?
It’s hard to choose since our family goes all out for Sukkoth and Passover. When we bought our home 26 years ago, the first thing we did was build a Sukkah. We’ve been using the same wooden frame ever since, and we love having friends and family over throughout the week. For decades, we went to my cousin’s 6+ hour marathon seder in NY. In the past few years, we started to have our own marathon Seders at home, which include many traditions from my cousin’s Seder, like four versions of Ma Nishtanah and 3 versions of Chag Gadya, and this year we added an escape room Afikomen hunt.
What is the best thing you’ve watched or read lately?
I watched Ted Lasso and Crash Landing on You more than just a few times each. They are both wonderful feel good shows.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Either Fat Salmon (check out their vegetarian sushi) or Laser Wolf (love the bottomless-pit refills of Salatim)
I can talk your ear off about…
My very extensive family tree. I know my fourth and fifth cousins well, and parts of my family tree go back to the 16th century. My cousins and I feel very connected to one another, and everywhere we go, we seem to find new cousins. Ask me how my family stories explain why some Jews don’t think turkey is kosher and the dramatic story about how a 17th century relative saved a princess from a running bull which in turn save a shtetl from persecution.
What are your hobbies?
I have recently taken up the electric guitar, finally fulfilling a dream I’ve had for as long as I can remember. I’m taking lessons at the School of Rock in Philadelphia (where 2 of my children learned guitar) and am playing in an adult student band. I’ve even learned to love to play heavy metal, though I draw the line with rap. In the summer, I love to take long bike rides, and during the year I’ve playing pickleball with Beth Am members each week and we have a lot of fun.
What has been your favorite vacation?
I am at my happiest anytime I am looking at the ocean over a rocky beach, especially if our kids and their partners are with us. We do that as often as we can every summer in New England, which is my happy place.
Anything else you would like to share?
I derive a lot of joy and satisfaction helping others in our community through the Love Your Neighbor committee. This is such a great new, second career for me.
