CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES
The diversity of my high school really opened up my eyes. In a school community that was particularly accepting, it was cool to be different and interesting, and to share your own story.
FAMILY TIES
As one of 15 first cousins in my generation, I have countless memories of Shabbat dinners, holidays and birthday celebrations. Being with family was always a priority, regardless of what our friends were doing.
WORKING IT OUT
I have become an enthusiastic [solidcore] participant — the classes are no joke! But the coaches instill a community mentality that is both encouraging and welcoming.
LET’S START WITH YOUR ROOTS. DID THE COMMUNITY YOU GREW UP IN HAVE A STRONG IMPACT ON YOU?
I grew up in a large immediate and extended family. My childhood home was both geographically and metaphorically surrounded by family. As one of 15 first cousins in my generation, I have countless memories of Shabbat dinners, holidays and birthday celebrations. Being with family was always a priority, regardless of what our friends were doing.
SOUNDS LIKE A REALLY CLOSE-KNIT GROUP.
It is! I am also a proud graduate of Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, which draws a diverse community of students from many different neighborhoods, religions and ethnicities. There I was able to be myself and share my Jewish values and traditions with classmates who had never met a Jewish person before. I also made friends who had backgrounds that were new and unfamiliar to me. In a school community that was particularly accepting, it was cool to be different and interesting, and to share your own story.
NOW FOR A MUSIC QUESTION: WHAT SONG COULD YOU PLAY ON REPEAT AND NEVER GET SICK OF?
I am a big fan of all songs by John Mayer. At one of his concerts in Atlanta, I was moved by the way he performed the song “In the Blood.” Since then, this song has had a permanent spot on my playlist. It always lifts me up.
MOVING ON TO VMG…IF YOU COULD HAVE A LIFETIME OF FREE ACCESS TO A PRODUCT OR EXPERIENCE FROM ONE OF OUR PAST OR PRESENT BRANDS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I have become an enthusiastic [solidcore] participant. The moment you walk in the studio, the coaches instill a community mentality that is both encouraging and welcoming. When someone feels strong and confident in their body, I believe that confidence translates into other aspects of life.
WHAT DO YOU MOST APPRECIATE ABOUT THE VMG TEAM YOU WORK WITH?
VMG is an extremely thoughtful place filled with individuals who go the extra mile to make everyone feel welcome and appreciated. One colleague went out of his way to make a second dish for a Thanksgiving potluck meal after he overheard me describing my favorite.
OH! WERE THOSE THE SWEET POTATOES WITH MARSHMALLOWS?
Yep. This small way of making you feel valued is what VMG is all about.
