We recently spoke with Sarah! Sarah works in tech, has a sweet tooth, and makes the best vegetarian matzoh ball soup (sounds delishh). Keep reading to learn more about Sarah and her love for Shabbat!
GatherDC: What brought you to DC and what made you stay?
Sarah: I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and I moved to DC almost 8 years ago for a job at the Embassy of Israel, working for former Ambassador Ron Dermer. I stayed for the opportunities, good food, diverse people, and of course the Jews.
GatherDC: Describe your dream day in the DMV from start to finish.
Sarah: I would wake up around 10 (no alarm) on a sunny day, read in bed for an hour, bike to Solidcore, get a vegetarian breakfast sandwich, explore a neighborhood of the district, and finish with a really great dinner at one of DC’s many Bib Gourmand restaurants. Daru is on my list next!
GatherDC: What motivated you to work in your industry or what led you to your current job?
Sarah: I lead Product and Tech Services at an advisory firm called Dcode that bridges the gap between government and emerging tech. After some intense years in politics and diplomacy, I wanted to work on something less-political, more neutral, but still impactful. Technology is the future, and in order for the US to maintain supremacy on the world stage, the government needs to catch up!
GatherDC: What do you do to relax or for fun at the end of a long week?
Sarah: My ideal end-of-the-week activity is definitely Shabbat. I love to host Shabbat dinners or attend services. Shabbat really grounds me.
GatherDC: What makes Shabbat so special to you?
Sarah: Shabbat services and Shabbat dinners are incredibly rejuvenating to me. It helps me close out my week and move into the weekend with intentionality. Morning prayer, holidays with friends, reading Jewish publications and being part of a Jewish community bring me life.
GatherDC: If you could invite any three people to your Shabbat dinner, who would they be and why?
Sarah: Ayn Rand, Queen Salome, my great-grandmother. Beauty, brains, humor, and a healthy dose of disagreement make for the best Shabbat dinners.
GatherDC: What’s your favorite Jewish food?
Sarah: Matzoh ball soup. I make a really great vegetarian matzoh ball soup. The secret is saffron.
GatherDC: What’s your favorite Jewish tradition or cultural reference/experience?
Sarah: I love Yom Kippur and the entire concept of trying to be a better person year after year. [Editor’s note: Still looking for Yom Kippur plans? Join us for Alt YK!]
GatherDC: Do you have a Jewish role model? If so, who and why?
Sarah: I deeply revere Rabbi Shafner at Kesher. He embodies the qualities that I feel are essential to Judaism – humility, curiosity, nuance, balance, love, and empathy. He is a wonderful person who inspires me.
GatherDC: What is the favorite thing you’ve done this year?
Sarah: I went to Israel with my brother and partner, and saw my cousin get married!
GatherDC: What’s at the top of your life bucket list?
Sarah: Top of my life bucket list this year is to buy a house for my mom. But after that, I’d like to hike the Inca Trail! In 2018, I hiked the Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas with my brother and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I discovered I love trekking! I have a few other treks on my list: Patagonia, the Lost City in Colombia, and of course Kilimanjaro!
GatherDC: Okay last one! When the Jews of DC gather…
Sarah: Politics most certainly will come up and people will have opinions.
