ACTIVIST SPOTLIGHT: M

Hi! My name is M...like the letter, only better. I'm an agender, queer, formerly chassidic, sole parent, teacher of Yiddish Language and Jewish cooking, foodie, nature lover, interfaith ordained wedding officiant, and occasional performer.  

I know. It's a mouthful. And kind of an interesting mish-mash, as we used to call it when I was much younger and living in the enclaves of an ultra-orthodox, extremely conservative, fundamentalist community. In my teenhood, in Borough Park, Brooklyn, I was part of a community that was very closed off. Assimilation was unthinkable. Anything we were permitted to read or see was heavily censored. We were never to question; always follow blindly, be modest, be subservient, ask less, do more. 

I am grateful to have freed myself from my oppressive past, and to have finally found my happy place in so many ways. I'm proud of all of my achievements in life. I've been working in the electronic security profession as a buyer and employee experience manager for over 26 years. I have been parenting my now 16-year-old (who is a graduate from Manhattan Workers Circle School). I've sung with several choral groups and performed at many famous venues and on a few recordings. I've been involved in a project that involves the rebirth of music from the original school for girls, Bais Yaakov, in Poland, in the early 1900s, and as part of the Aftsilakhes Spectacle committee (a Social Justice Activism focused theater group famous for its Purimshpil and Sukkes Mob, and other performances). And I am most proud to have been adopted, as family, by the Manhattan Workers Circle School, where I've been teaching for several years. This organization has taught my child and me so much about the needs of the humans around us and beyond. 

As a person who was shunned by my birth-family's community, I understand the needs of those who want weddings that affirm their personal views. I am a wedding officiant. I have been so honored to officiate weddings that are so inclusive and meaningful. I always aim to create a wedding celebration that will embrace the families and their guests. Each ceremony tells a story...a story of creation of something new and exciting. I always offer a sliding scale fee, and will consider waiving my fee depending on the situation. This is just a part of my contribution to tikkun olam, the healing/repairing of the world; a core value that is deeply important to me. Kindness is important to me; as is equity. And I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share some of my passion with you.

You can reach M at yefefiyah@gmail.com. 

To learn more about the Manhattan Workers Circle School, visit  www.circle.org/manhattan.