COMMUNITY MAGAZINE April 2021

54 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE Woman Woman to One on One with ELLEN GELLER KAMARAS “I am a very religious person who believes that it all comes back to Hashem. We develop routines and then life happens and we have to adjust. Life is constantly changing but it’s a lot of fun. I chose physical therapy because I love developing close relationships with people and helping them progress and reach their goals.” Renee Zarif - Renee Renee Zarif, née Spigel, grew up in Brooklyn close to where she lives now. She describes herself as a very spiritual, determined, and passionate person, who commits 100 percent to everything she takes on. Educated at Yeshivah of Flatbush from nursery through high school, Renee proudly acknowledges that her life choices were greatly influenced by Yeshivah of Flatbush, shaping her into the person she is today. Renee is the oldest of four children and speaks daily to her two brothers and sister. Her parents, both of Lebanese descent, met in the U.S. and worked hard to build a life here. “We are a very close-knit family and adore our WhatsApp chat. My parents have always supported me in attaining my dreams and goals.” Renee was a shy and serious child who loved school and stayed in on weekends to study. In high school Renee became more outgoing. She learned to achieve a balance between academics and socializing and graduated with honors. “I still love school! I finished college with extra credits, was valedictorian of my Doctorate program at Touro, and always take more professional development courses than required.” COMING OF AGE After high school, Renee entered Brooklyn Collegewith a pre-med major. She was set on becoming a doctor and immediately enrolled in the prerequisite science classes. During the summer after her sophomore year, Renee volunteered in the Emergency Room at Beth Israel Hospital. Her main assignments were transporting patients from the ER to various floors and bringing specimens to the lab. The experience was disappointing because Renee only got to spend minimal time with the patients. As a social person, she missed the human contact. Returning to Brooklyn College in the fall for her junior year, Renee befriended a woman in her physics class who told her about a rehabilitation internship opportunity for health-related careers including occupational and physical therapy, pain management, nutrition, and others. Her classmate, Rachel, who was pursuing PT, encouraged Renee to apply for what she described as a very competitive program. B”H, Renee was chosen for a PT placement. “It was the coolest internship but scary too. I was assigned to the neuro rehabilitation unit at NYU hospital for a month. From 9am to 2pm I shadowed a physical therapist and from 2pm to 4pm the interns from the diverse disciplines got together, participating in breakout groups and classes. Our common goal was to learn how to rehabilitate a patient after surgery. Neuro sounded intimidating - I asked to be moved but was encouraged to try it. The exposure was amazing and I decided to pursue PT. Today I practice neuro PT.” A MATCH IS MADE While Renee was busy with her college studies, she met her naseeb , Solomon Zarif, at a simcha . It was hashgacha pratit that Solomon’s best friend was engaged to Renee’s cousin. Seven years older, Solomon was already a businessman, specializing in wholesale men’s and boys' clothing. Renee and Solomon got married in September 2009. “I liked that Solomon was very mature. He’s my #1 cheerleader and he and his family are so loving and proud of the work I do.” Hashem blessed the couple with three girls, aged ten, six, and eighteen months old. TRAINING Renee graduated from Brooklyn College after she married Solomon. Shewas pregnantwith their first childwhen shewas accepted toevery PT doctoral programs she had applied to. Downstatewas her first choice but she opted for Touro College because it offered time off for all the hagim . “Touro was an excellent decision. I gained freedom to be with my husband and daughter on hagim and received the best education. I started when my oldest was nine months old. My favorite professors influencedmy training and views on PT.” Dr. Robert Schreyer taught Anatomy, Renee’s first class at Touro, as well as the courses on neurological disorders and interventions. It was in