This is an example of a good Jewish woman and all women should strive to these high ideals, and to add the icing on the cake, this old testament wisdom must be made complete with the new testament teaching given to us by the Holy Spirits inspiration that made the bible truths, the gospel truth. What is your occupation? I got my first job in the US through Jewish Vocational Services (JVS). Unfortunately, I was fired soon after starting work. These “hired-fired” cycles continued several more times, but with each time I gained more work experience and felt more confident in my abilities. Since then, I have continued my profession in the computer science field and am currently working as a business analyst for the city of San Francisco. What is your business philosophy? Do the best job you possibly can. What keeps you competitive? Always trying to do better next time. What are some of your formative experiences? My mother, who was highly educated, provided me with every opportunity to expand my horizons. She was always very supportive and continuously encouraged me to keep moving forward. What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? Being able to give back to the community that helped us get started. On a more personal level, it’s being truly satisfied with my life and the choices I’ve made. What brings you the most satisfaction? Being Jewish and being able to express it openly. What is one word that best describes you? Practical. What book most influenced you? How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. What is your favorite way to spend your free time? With family and friends. What is your favorite restaurant? It’s actually our kitchen; my husband Mark is a phenomenal cook. What is so important about financial security? It’s about having the lifestyle you want. It’s about helping family in times of need and being able to give back to your community. How would you describe your family? We have a very close-knit family. We have quite a bit of extended family around the world-in Australia, Germany, Israel. Domestically, we have relatives in Minneapolis, Boston and LA. It actually feels nice to have familiar faces in so many different places. What was your initial exposure to giving? I actually was exposed to it at a very early age, watching my mother put money into a donation box at the Cemetery Chapel in St. Petersburg. What are your thoughts on raising responsible children? It’s about leading by example; I don’t believe words alone can make a strong statement. With respect to Judaism, I am proud of being Jewish. Even though we couldn’t express ourselves in St. Petersburg for so many years, we’ve always stressed our Jewish nationality at home with our children. Today, my granddaughter Nina, who is six years old, attends the Hebrew Academy. Education, especially about the history of the Jewish people, is an important part of raising responsible children. What is your involvement with the Jewish community? Initially, it was mostly through Sherith Israel, a synagogue we joined upon our arrival in the States. About three years ago, I went through the Emigre Leadership Institute (ELI) program, which was organized by the Jewish Community Federation. It was a great way to learn about how the Jewish community is organized and what it takes to keep it growing. Then, I went through the Women in Leadership (WIL) program, also sponsored through the Federation. For the last three years, I have co-chaired the Russian Division’s role in Super Sunday, primarily focusing on raising awareness within the Russian-speaking Jewish community. For years, I have been serving on different committees. Today, I am on the Federation’s Russian Division executive board. I am a supporter of JCF and have very high regard for the work done by the Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco. Why are you involved specifically with the Federation? The ELI program helped me understand the structure of our Jewish community. It also clarified the key role played by the Federation, as well as that of the many agencies it helps support. The Federation is at the center of the global effort to grow and keep Jewish communities alive. Why is being involved important for you? Because it’s about being able to express myself and being able to give back to such a fundamentally sound organization. What is the most significant insight that you have gained from your involvement? The underlining principle of the Jewish people is the importance of trying to make the world a better place. One becomes a true leader because people respect his⁄her character and trust his⁄her judgment. I have come to see this leadership first-hand through the various programs offered at the Federation. This is something that motivates me to learn more about my people, as well as to implement mitzvoth [good deeds] into my daily life. What have you learned about the Jewish community? Jewish people are very special. We share a closeness felt throughout the world. There are many great traditions we have in common, not just around the holidays, but about shared values like tzedakah, and simply helping each other. How would you define “giving?” You just have to start somewhere. I find it extremely important to give back to the Jewish community, which helped us-the Jews from the former Soviet Union-escape the regime and make a better life for ourselves and our children in the United States. And giving back includes not only money, but also time and effort. What is the purpose of giving to a community? It’s about an effort to make a difference. Giving money is certainly important, but when done blindly, it’s not as meaningful. You have to feel like you are a part of the Jewish community. Volunteering and attending various events builds a stronger community. Encouraging children to learn about their roots is another very important way of giving back. If someone wanted to get involved, what advice would you offer? Go through at least one program and learn about the Jewish people. This will help you to gain greater meaning and understanding about the community. Also, monetary contributions are essential; there are so many people and projects in need both locally and around the world, especially in Israel and parts of the former Soviet Union. In your opinion, what makes a great community? A community that is supportive of each other
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 22:16:37 +0000
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