However, all of those plans changed when, one fine day, I overcame my love of New York, and moved to Los Angeles, to pursue acting: a career I wanted as a little girl. I have wanted to be an actress while in BHI, but always had some back up plan.
I have studied acting for 7 years, and now I am living in Los Angeles, CA! If I had a choice I wouldn't change NY for any other state, but acting is something I have always wanted to do, and those who know me, know how passionate I am about it. Indeed, some of you have already seen me in action, in our fantastic BHI play "Women of Valor".
Of course, like in any field, there are advantages and disadvantages to being in the acting business; and living in LA is a disadvantage for me. Los Angeles, is the place to be for an actress, but it is totally different from NY. It's a very boring city - surprisingly! - but it's where I have to be right now. Additionally, this career choice (and probably any career in entertainment) requires facing a lot of rejection. You really have to put yourself out there and not get hurt or give up. As an actress, you need a lot of support, especially from family and close friends. I know that I am very lucky to have that support, particularly now that I live on my own, so far away from my parents and friends. There are still days when people criticize my decision to become an actress, but it makes me even stronger.
Acting is an innate skill: one cannot be taught to become an actress, only to polish herself and improve her skills. With G-d's help, I have found a wonderful teacher in LA who is helping me find myself, and guiding me in the process of becoming an actress. Throughout my acting experience, I have had wonderful teachers, who have taught me all they know, allowing me to internalize those skills and use them both in my future career, and even on a daily basis.
I would support anyone who wants to go in to this field. But, I must say, it is very easy to give up - I have almost given up so many times. But with the encouragement of my parents and friends, I have been able to continue my journey. Acting has made me a different person: I am more open, and very easy to talk to, and, I am proud to say, I have overcome my childhood shyness! Acting is one thing that made me who I am today. The other is BHI.
I miss so many things about just being a student in High School. My best memories of BHI are my classmates and everything we did together. I have grown very close to them in just one year of attending the school, because they were so wonderful in accepting me in my last year of high school. My classmates opened up their hearts to let a "new girl" in and made me feel like I've been there for years.
I am more than thankful for having attended a yeshiva because it significantly contributed to my background. I am always proud to say that I attended a yeshiva and to call it BHI. I have also taken it upon myself to hold on to my Judaism, because it's something very precious that makes me unique. Every Friday, I light Shabbos candles and use a moment to cultivate a special relationship with G-d - and it makes me feel so good. So my message to my fellow alums is: while most of us come from families that aren't observant, making it very hard for us to change our habits, let us take it upon ourselves, to light candles every Friday night, and have that special moment between ourselves and G-d. It is an unbelievable feeling!
It's hard to say if I know something now that I wish I knew then, because you learn something every day that makes you who you are. If I knew it then, then I wouldn't have made the mistakes, which shaped me into the person I am today. I can only say: value the time you have now, because it flies by so fast. I also want to wish you all to be blessed with the ability and the opportunity to do what you aim for in life. If anyone has any question at all - even which celebrity I have seen in LA - please email me (myndee82@yahoo.com). If you're ever in LA, please contact me! But I hope to come back to NY very soon.
