You are a model, media personality, advocate for the Jewish community, and author. What inspired you to write your most recent book Finding My Place: Making My Parents’ American Dream Come True?
In general, I’ve been involved with a lot of different industries. Politics was one of the hardest; once you venture into that industry, all bets are off. People said and did a lot of things that I didn’t really appreciate while using my name and story.
Having the opportunity to get a book deal is always exciting, but having the opportunity to tell your own story—especially when so many other people have tried to tell it for you—was the best part. It was so important to me to put my thoughts on paper and tell my story before anyone else could. Also, telling my parents’ story is a huge part of my personality—as crazy as that sounds—so that was very special for me.
You are a first-generation American. How did your upbringing influence your impact on the Jewish community?
First generations have a different type of appreciation. For me, a lot of that appreciation comes from the fact that my family made sure that I understood that they weren’t allowed to be proud Jews back in the former Soviet Union, where they were from. They told me stories about risking getting arrested or beaten when they would try and go to the Synagogue on the high holy days.
My grandfather was a really famous artist, and probably the proudest Jew you would ever meet. He would have to hide in his basement in the dark whenever he wanted to paint something that had to do with his religion.
Obviously, I’m proud to be American, but a lot of that comes down to being an American-Jew. My parents and grandparents risked everything so that they could have a daughter who is openly, and proudly, Jewish. I know I’m allowed to be proud, but I also know what’s it like not to be allowed. That’s why I’m so passionate about Jewish advocacy.
You recently collaborated on a clothing line with Esteem Couture that donated 10% of its sales to women impacted by the attacks on Israel back in October. Tell us about this.
I was asked to model for the brand, similar to my typical modeling gigs. I bonded with the founder of the brand, it’s women and Jewish-owned. Me and the owner just clicked. I feel that after October 7th, anyone who is Jewish can’t be in a room without bringing that up.
We found ourselves talking about what was going on and how we felt, especially with anti-semitism on the rise and the disastrous response to October 7th. We really discussed what it feels like to be Jewish, especially Jewish women. We felt that the world doesn’t share when we suffer.
So, we collaborated on a small collection of dresses and decided that we would donate 10% of the proceeds to Jewish women impacted by the attacks on October 7th. In general, modeling is incredible, but when you can pair it with something meaningful, it’s even better.

You are the executive producer of an upcoming documentary about Israel. Why is this role so important to you?
I’m executive producing a movie called Unlikely Heroes. Since October 7th, we’ve seen people take on the impacts of the attacks. There is so much similar history in Isreal, this has been going on for many generations. I don’t think enough people tell the real history and real story without propaganda.
So, to be able to tell the real story about how Israel came to be is really inspiring. To see how these Unlikely Heroes can change a lot of people’s minds and encourage the youth to speak up against anti-semitism, which is rampant right now.
What has been the most rewarding moment of your career thus far? Tell us about it.
This is going to sound crazy, but I don’t think it’s happened yet. Seeing yourself on the cover of a magazine or holding your own book is always magical. But, I don’t know if anything has been most rewarding.
It’s a mix of wanting to be proud of yourself and striving for more. There is always the anxiety of making your ancestors proud and then going on the internet and receiving hate from all sides no matter what you’re doing. I like knowing I might not have had that moment yet.
You are also a model and media personality. How did you get your start in these industries?
For modeling, I was literally discovered on the street. A photographer took photos of me and ended up sending them to Wilhelmina, one of the biggest modeling agencies in the world. It just happened for me!
It was pretty similar with media. I was just posting about what I was passionate about and advocating for the Jewish community and then I was asked to be on TV, and it just never stopped. I always say to work your butt off but never know if you’re in charge of your own destiny or if God planned this all long ago.
How do you plan to expand your community and use your platform in 2024?
I think some people may be surprised with some things I do within the coming weeks! I would say bringing some charitable aspects to what I do will be most important for me. I think with having any platform or closeness to resources that others may not have, there comes the responsibility to make the world a better place.
No matter what I’m doing, and whether people like it or not, I want to make sure I’m my own person and do my best with anything that comes my way,