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Nina and I stop by Daily Provisions in Dupont Circle. Over a glossy high-top, we chat about Nina’s doctoral studies, what it’s like moving from Hawaii to the DMV, taking stock of her options in DMV Jewish life, Roxane Gay, and her newly launched Substack.
Samuel: What brought you to the DMV?
Nina: I moved to the DC area in August of last year, from Hawaii, where I lived for six years with my two young children. We lived far, obviously, from all our family and friends on the eastern seaboard, so it’s more of a central location for us to be able to see everybody.
Samuel: What’s your Jewish community like right now? What was it like in Hawaii?
Nina: In Hawaii, there was Chabad or one small Reform temple. I was really excited to move here and do what I call “synagogue shopping” – just really looking for my community. That was really important to me. And I went to a few, but I’m calling Tifereth Israel home. I really love that they have traditional values but are very egalitarian as well. It was important to me to practice daily rituals and traditions while also recognizing my space in the world as a woman.
Samuel: What else were you looking for? What theologically is drawing you in?
Nina: I wrestle with that – it’s a good question. Like, what is God? What does Hashem mean to you? How do you define that relationship? It changes for me constantly. Ultimately, what I believe is that we are here because we have this special covenant with God, and we’re here to live through God and leave this world in a better place than where we found it.
I focus a lot on ancient wisdom. I’m really passionate about the philosophy and theology of indigenous cultures, Judaism. We have so much wisdom [built up] throughout our history. Even though this thing happened 2,000 years ago, it still applies today. How do you take it and grow and apply it to modern life? That’s one of the things I’m looking for from a theological perspective: How can we carry on our traditions and beliefs?
One other thing that I love about Tifereth Israel is that it’s an environment where I’m not judged. I’m accepted for how I choose to show up – what matters is that I’m here living my best Jewish life.
Samuel: I’m curious – you’ve lived in Philly, and Florida, and Hawaii, and now the DMV. What have you learned from being part of all those different Jewish communities?
Nina: I’ve realized that numbers matter. I grew up very secular; we weren’t practicing or observant. When I actually started becoming intentional with my Judaism, I was in Pensacola, Florida. The Jewish community felt nonexistent, so it was all about leveraging external resources. When I moved to Hawaii, there was a bigger Jewish community, and it was so exciting for me. Now, here, I’ve realized how much easier it is to be Jewish. You have more synagogue options. I can go to a kosher restaurant. It just makes it easier. And also, my children are starting at a Jewish school next year, and so they have that option where we can integrate our Jewish identity in day to day life, rather than struggling to put those pieces together.
Samuel: You mentioned “becoming intentional” – what was the impetus for that?
Nina: There was nothing monumental. It was more like…I have free will! As I learned more, read more, talked to more Jewish people, talked to rabbis, I was like: This isn’t just an identity I was given. It’s something I actually identify with, be intentional with, and integrate in my day to day life. I especially love that it’s continuous. I learn something new about Judaism every day.
Samuel: So, in addition to the move and everything else, you’re also working on a doctorate. What are you studying?
Nina: I’m working on a doctorate in Health Informatics. It’s a happy marriage of electronic health records, data engineering, and data science. My degree is in bioinformatics and predictive modeling, so I’m focusing a lot on the AI engineering side of things as it applies to healthcare specifically.
I’m always working in relation to indigenous health, so one of my long-term goals is to work on how we can leverage bio data to create a better public health landscape that’s more equal and gives back to the community it’s supposed to serve. I’m Puerto Rican Jewish, and a lot of Puerto Ricans also have Taíno backgrounds, so I’ve always been inclined to learning and being involved in indigenous life in general. And then, living in Hawaii, I think you have an obligation to learn about the history of Native Hawaiians and what our obligations are today as US citizens. That’s always been important to me.
Samuel: A few quick ones to close. What are you feeling proud about right now?
Nina: I started to share my writing on Substack! Which is a very big deal for me because I’m a private person. I’m sharing short stories and thought pieces. I’m thinking about: What does it mean to be a woman? What is resiliency, and how is it showing up in modern life?
Samuel: Do you have any writing role models?
Nina: I absolutely love Roxane Gay. She’s writing from a feminist perspective but has such a creative, psychological tone. I get a lot of inspiration from her.
Samuel: You’re hosting Shabbat dinner and can invite any three people. Who are you bringing?
Nina: Anthony Bourdain. I learned so much about world travel and openmindedness and being humble from him. I’d invite my great-grandmother, who passed away when I was a teenager. I just want to show her how many of her recipes I’ve learned and make her proud. And my third person would be Roxane Gay.
Samuel: Last one. Finish the sentence: When Jews of the DMV gather…
Nina: They are always focusing on the next thing. They are doers.
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