In 1997, amid economic turmoil and religious prosecution in the Soviet Union, a two-year-old Leonid Guzman and his family made the decision to start anew in America, braving the difficulties of a shockingly different culture to thrive in New York City.
Continue reading Leonid Gozman’s Interview as told to Sara Brown
Janet Veksler has the ability to instantly light up a room. Her looks alone draw attention. Her hair is cropped short and dyed a deep red, curly tendrils spiral in every direction. Her nails, painted a glossy red, are long and trimmed to a severe point, and are often on full display as she uses lively gesticulations to enhance her stories. Her makeup- complete with penciled brows and a swipe of burgundy lipstick- has been applied with great care. Ms. Veksler throws formality to the wind as she openly and cheerfully discusses her life and work with an ease that could make anyone feel comfortable.
Living in Kiev was miserable for the parents of Anna Zhuk, who faced insufferable persecution because of their Jewish heritage. They decided to join their relatives in the United States, to escape the travails of daily life in Ukraine. What actually happened when they flew to New York would end up altering their lives, and subsequently Anna’s life, forever.
Continue reading Anna Zhuk’s Interview as told to Allegra DePasquale
