Meet Eden: Jewish Mental Health Advocate of the Week

Eden Marcus has been in DC for just one month, but in that time she’s already scored a gig teaching yoga in Dupont and Georgetown and, less excitingly, has become quickly acquainted with our not-so-friendly mosquitoes. We caught up with Eden to learn more about what brought her to DC, her early impressions of the city, and the podcast she hosts about mental health. 

GatherDC: Tell me about where you grew up and what brought you to the DC area.

Eden: I grew up in Boston and went to Boston College. I just moved to DC one month ago to get my MBA at George Washington University.-

GatherDC: Obviously you just arrived here, but if you had to describe your perfect in DC, what would it look like?

Eden: I’d start with yoga on the National Mall, followed by a stroll through the Dupont Farmer’s Market, and then some browsing at Kramer’s Bookstore. Also, some good brunch in-between!

GatherDC: What have you loved about living here so far and what would you change if you could?

Eden: I love how small DC can feel. Even though I just moved here I keep running into people I know from all different places and times in my life! 

I would love to change the amount of mosquitos here. I feel attacked!

GatherDC: What is the one thing you can’t get through a day without?

Eden: Tea! All kinds of tea – hot or iced, green or black.

GatherDC: How do you like to relax at the end of a long week?

Eden: I love a good book and a glass of red wine.

GatherDC: How do you find yourself connecting with your Jewish identity or the Jewish community?

Eden: I describe myself as culturally Jewish. I love connecting with other Jewish people and celebrating holidays in ways that feel authentic to me! My family is Israeli, so I feel most connected to my Jewish identity through them.

GatherDC: What’s your favorite Jewish food?

Eden: My mom’s Jerusalem Kugel!

GatherDC: How did you celebrate the High Holidays this year?

Eden: For Yom Kippur I reflected on this past year with a guided meditation and journaling session.

GatherDC: Do you have any Jewish role models?

Eden: My mom. She always reminds me to use my voice for what I believe in.

GatherDC: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?

Eden: I host a podcast! I’m on a mission to change the way we talk about mental health with my show called, The Okay Days.

GatherDC: Speaking of mental health… it’s been a tough year-and-a-half. What life hack has helped you get through the pandemic so far?

Eden: My mantra is… “One day at a time.”

GatherDC: That’s sound wisdom. What would you say is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Eden: Be kind to everyone, as you don’t know everyone’s story.

GatherDC: Switching gears to something more fun–what fictional character do you most relate to?

Eden: Monica from Friends. The way she cleans resonates with me on such a deep level.

GatherDC: Before we go, do you have anything you’d like to plug?

Eden: My podcast: theokaydays.com.  I also teach yoga at CorePower Yoga in Dupont and Georgetown!

Gather DC: And finally, when Jews of DC Gather…

Eden: …they share their stories and best-kept DC secrets.

Follow Eden on IG:  @edzzz_ and @theokaydays

The views and opinions expressed in this blog and on this website are solely those of the original authors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the organization GatherDC, the GatherDC staff, the GatherDC board, and/or any/all contributors to this site.