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Maya and I take shelter one hot summer day in Emissary. While a Gen Xer struggles to play music in her headphones instead of out loud at full volume (this interview was perforated by sidelong glances), we chat about Maya’s time at GW, why she loves the National Mall, why being challenged is a good thing, law school aspirations, and her mother.
Samuel: What brought you to the DMV?
Maya: I grew up in Long Beach, California. I came to DC in August 2022 for college. I always knew that I wanted to be at a northeast city school – I like being busy, and I’m obsessed with the Supreme Court, and I wanted to study government and policy and politics. I wanted to get to a place where I was surrounded by people who cared about the same things I care about. So I came here, and it’s been the perfect place for me. Like, this is my home now.
Samuel: What made you realize this was home? Was there one moment?
Maya: I have so many of them, which has really affirmed that this is the place for me. I came to DC with my parents when I was a senior in high school. I was walking through the streets downtown near GW, and it was Spring, so all the cherry blossoms were out. I was like: This is it. This is the environment that I want to be in. GW was great because it’s a city school; you do your classes on campus, but you are very much a DC citizen as well.
Especially since I’ve graduated, there have been infinite moments where I’m glad that I’m here. Like, yesterday, I was with my friends walking up and down 14th Street. We got dinner, and it was so beautiful outside…I’m feeling independent. I’m with my chosen community. I didn’t know anyone when I came to DC, but this is where all my people are.
Samuel: How did you find your people?
Maya: It helped that my entry into DC was college. I had structured, automatic friends in that way. But I’ve also found select people, a lot of whom are Jewish, who wanted to stay here and be in the nonprofit or government world. Then, I did Sixth & I and GatherDC. I go to Chabad’s Shabbat dinners. It’s really just bashert. When I came here, Jewish community was not something I thought about, but this city’s young Jewish social scene is so unique and plentiful.
Samuel: As someone who’s been here in college and now is staying post-grad, what are the third spaces you’ve gravitated toward?
Maya: It’s so basic, but…the National Mall. I’ll never get over that I live where the Washington Monument is. It’s so cool if you care about history and government like I do. Every single week my first year in DC, I would walk to the National Mall. And, it was my first time living somewhere where the leaves would really change. That’s still my favorite thing to do. I’ve taken a lot of naps near the garden and lake area with the willow tree in the middle.
Samuel: If you go there at night, there’s a ton of bats!
Maya: I don’t rock with bats so much. That doesn’t inspire joy. But I love just sitting on a bench and reading. I’m trying to not take this period of time for granted.
Samuel: What are you reading?
Maya: Beneath a Scarlet Sky.
Samuel: What else is feeling alive for you Jewishly right now?
Maya: I love going to services. I grew up in a very Reform family, and music is one of my biggest connections to Judaism – it always has been. When I babysit and I’m putting the little kids to sleep, I’ll do the Shema or Hashivenu because it’s what I know, and it’s meaningful to me in a lot of ways.
Also, I did Beyond the Tent [earlier this summer]. I met 30 new friends, so I loved it for that. But something that the retreat brought up, which really challenged me, was that I went into the retreat very confident in my Judaism. Like, I wear two Jewish necklaces. I work at the JCC. It’s a huge, dominant part of my life. But on the first day, we talked about the distinction between feeling Jewish – like, the nostalgia of how you grew up, and Jewish sleepaway camp, and the feelings of home that you have related to Judaism – versus actively being Jewish. What are you doing in your day-to-day life that is Jewish and meaningful to you in that way?
That really resonated with me because I feel so Jewish, and I do live a very active Jewish life, but maybe I take for granted that that’s enough. There are always more things to do to really be in touch with your Judaism, and I’m trying to think of other ways right now that I can do that.
Samuel: How do you feel about being challenged?
Maya: I love being challenged. I’m a very energetic and disciplined person – the harder something is, the more I want to do it. When something new comes up that’s challenging, it only makes you a better, stronger, smarter person. If you feel strongly about what you believe, you can fight back even more [when challenged]. Also, I want to be a lawyer, so –
Samuel: I was going to say, this sounds like someone who is applying for law school.
Maya: My father is a lawyer. Once I got over wanting to be on Broadway, I was like: Lawyer. My dad is a huge inspiration to me. I always saw him working really hard for a reason. I want my career to be challenging and I want to work hard. I get bored if I’m not.
And a core value of mine is tzedakah and giving back and advocacy. You can use the law to help someone and fix problems they have. That’s how I see the practice of law. When I got to college and took Constitutional Law and all these policy classes, I was like: Oh my God! The Constitution is such a brilliant document, and how cool is it to use this thing that was written 250 years ago to benefit people today. We need people to fight and make sure that where we’re going is the right place, and I want to be part of that.
Samuel: Okay, a few quick ones to close. What’s something you’re bad at?
Maya: Walking slow.
Samuel: What are you feeling proud about?
Maya: I work really hard for the things I care about. I was able to graduate college in three years. I had the support of so many family and friends, but I was able to build my life here. If 16-year-old Maya saw where I’m at now, she’d be kvelling so hard. It feels good to know that.
Samuel: You’re hosting Shabbat dinner and can host any three people. Who are you bringing?
Maya: I’d invite Elena Kagan and Abraham Lincoln. And my late grandma on my dad’s side, Grandma Judy. She’d rock with them hard, I’m sure.
Samuel: Last one. Finish the sentence: When Jews of the DMV gather…
Maya: You find your people. People find each other. This is why I love GatherDC so much – you create the space for people to come and find their people. Especially with 20s and 30s, a lot of us want so badly to find other people, but it’s hard when you live in a city that’s so hustle and bustle. Having organizations that intentionally make regular space for it is really meaningful.
Samuel: Thank you! Anything else, before we go?
Maya: Shout out to my mom. I love her. She’s the reason I am who I am. She’s the best Jewish mother ever, so I’m shouting her out.
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