Menu
Menu
Humans of TE: One Story at a Time – #TEGivesThanks #ComeHometoTE
This November, Temple Emanuel gives THANKS to YOU, our community. Join us each day as we highlight a fascinating member of our community.
Ilana Seidmann
“My husband (Jon) and I both went to college in Boston, and we met eight years ago at an event called “Gin & Jews.” When people ask us how we met, that usually gets a chuckle! We spent our dating days traveling extensively, including to visit Jon’s family in Tel Aviv. There is truly nothing as fun in life as an Israeli wedding! After we got married, we moved to Newton, and had two beautiful boys, and we celebrate our five-year wedding anniversary this December.
My mother has a home elder law practice, so I’ve been signing wills since I was 14 years old. I’ve been lucky enough to have a career in senior programming for eleven years now. I’ve always enjoyed working with senior citizens because they have the wisest perspective on life. Everyone in America could learn a thing or two from The Greatest Generation right now.
At the age of 16, I went on a kayaking and backpacking trip with Young Judea to the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. That trip created a passion for travel outdoors, environmentalism, and Jewish spirituality. I then spent two semesters abroad (Costa Rica, followed by The Netherlands), and spent four months backpacking solo through Australia and New Zealand after college. I always tried to find a synagogue or Jewish area anywhere I went- but Italy hands down had the best Jewish food (kosher artichoke lasagna).”