Growing Up a First-Generation Jew

Though her family celebrated the major Jewish holidays like Hannukah and Yom Kippur, Sophia was never strictly observant. However, she did learn about her family heritage through her parents’ accounts of what they experienced before immigrating to the United States in 1990. In the Soviet Union, they couldn’t freely practice their Judaism due to fear of persecution. She knew that she was incredibly lucky to live in a place where she could talk about her heritage with pride.

“I’m fortunate to be able to wear my Jewish star and talk about being Jewish. And to have so much pride in it and celebrate it means a lot.”

As she began exploring her culture and religion more with her peers at school, she learned about some ways to get more involved with other Jewish teens. Through her friends, she discovered NCSY and ended up going to Israel for a month-long trip her senior year.

Experiencing Israel & Finding Love

High school was a transformative time for Sophia, not only for finding out more about her Judaism, but for finding love. She met her now-husband in her senior year of high school while attending Franklin High, right before she was slated to go on the trip.

To Sophia’s surprise, her husband, in college at the time, was also about to go on a trip to Israel for Birthright. Though he tried to convince her to come on Birthright with him, Sophia ultimately stuck with her original plan since it was her last opportunity to attend the trip that was designed for high schoolers.

“I kept going back and forth on whether to attend the NCSY trip or go on Birthright with this guy I had just met and only recently started dating. I don’t regret the decision to go on NCSY, I had such an amazing time.“

Discovering a Passion for Volunteering

Sophia’s trip to Israel with her peers ignited a love for volunteer work and a desire to embrace her Judaism. Upon her return, she became involved in various volunteer and community service-related endeavors. In early 2024, while chatting with a work colleague, Sophia’s interest was piqued when she heard about The Associated for the first time.

Sophia quickly found a home within The Associated’s community and programs, specifically YAD.

“I’ve always loved giving back to the community, and The Associated is such a great way to do that,” Sophia shares. “It brings young Jewish adults together and creates something truly meaningful. I felt like it was a perfect fit from the start.”

A key part of her role at The Associated is serving on YAD’s volunteer committee, where she helps organize community service events. Her enthusiasm for service is evident in her involvement in projects like Good Deeds Day, where she helped clean up a historic synagogue in the city.

For Sophia, having a direct role in the effort’s organization is profound. She finds fulfillment in working with like-minded individuals who share a purpose — whether it’s organizing a trash cleanup or planning a fundraiser.

She looks forward to the upcoming event season and can’t wait to get involved in more community-centered projects. She has her own ideas she hopes to bring to the table including one cause close to her heart — breast cancer awareness efforts. This passion is personal; at age 14, Sophia’s mother lost her best friend to breast cancer.

“It left such an impact on me,” she recalls. “I’ve always been passionate about oncology and wanted to be an oncologist growing up, but now I look for ways to support those affected by cancer.”

Family Life In Pikesville

Jewish Baltimore will always be home for Sophia.

“My husband and I live in Pikesville, and we both grew up in Reisterstown,” she explains.

Pikesville is also home to Sunfresh Produce Market, owned by Sophia’s father, which brings friends and neighbors together.

“Having my parents right there and the store there brings a lot of people together. It creates a symbol for me, in a way.”

Outside of work, volunteering and spending time with her family, Sophia has a passion for ballet. She began training in ballet at age 3 and had the opportunity to take private lessons in Saint Petersburg growing up. Currently, she teaches ballet to students ages 9 and up.