I am a painter, poet, meditation guide, health coach, translator and now published author, born and raised in NY. After graduating Cornell University class of ’69 in Human Development, I took a summer job as a counselor on a teen tour for a free trip to Israel. To my great surprise, my heart said: “Stay; there are things you need to experience here”. So I gave up my return ticket and have lived in Israel ever since. This was the first time I consciously listened to the voice in my heart over what most would call ‘common sense’.
While studying for an MA in Educational Psychology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, I met and married the father of my three wonderful children: Avital, Yael and Gadi. The marriage ended after 20 years, but the children multiplied. At present I am gifted with 3 married children and 3 glorious grandchildren: Michal, Yonatan and Amit….and counting.
In retrospect my varied work experience became part of the foundation of Dancing with Cancer: I first worked as a teacher trainer and educational guide in the Instrumental Enrichment program to enhance cognitive development among low SES teenagers. Then, in the 1980’s, I returned to school to study fine arts. After graduation I taught art and art history in junior high schools, museums and private venues and have shown my art work in various exhibitions in Israel and Europe. After years of meditating by myself and in groups, I began guiding meditations in all my art classes and lead guided imagery meditations for personal development in weekly groups. Adding to my more informal education, my translation work included many academic theses on art and expressive therapies, as well as meditation, spirituality and science, and positive psychology materials.
The diagnosis of multiple myeloma in February 2007 changed my life in more ways than I could ever have imagined. Once again, the voice in my heart led the way as I took an active part in my healing process, creating conscious intentions and initiating creative actions to support the conventional medical protocols I received. After reaching remission I wanted to share my understandings and the importance of a positive, proactive mindset with others. So I proposed a program of guided imagery meditation and mandala drawing to the Roche Lends a Hand project of Roche Pharmaceuticals, Israel. Through this venue I began guiding meditations and mandala drawing activities in oncology waiting rooms and outpatient treatment rooms in several hospitals, among them two of the largest hospitals in Israel. I was able to touch hundreds of patients and their companions from all walks of life: Arabs, Jews, ultra-religious, religious, secular, and people from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. I found that most people had little or no experience with guided imagery or the relaxing and healing effects of creative activity, but most were open to try, enjoy and benefit. The enthusiastic and grateful responses I received filled me with joy, inspiration and empowerment as well – a true win-win situation. I also use my Thought Work tools to coach individuals facing cancer’s challenges to help them along their individual path. All the while I was writing and rewriting my story. Finally Dancing with Cancer was born. With the help of Watkins Publishing, so was the hope of reassuring, aiding and inspiring many others beyond my one on one reach.