Community Magazine May 2021

IYAR-SIVAN 5781 / MAY 2021 53 is open about getting married only at 28, a bit older than the average Syrian girl. “I tried out different jobs, yearned to be a radio person, but more importantly, I wanted to settle down and have a family.” The couple have two girls and a boy, who study at Shaare Torah and Ateret Torah, respectively. “I have the best of both worlds. I grew up in Deal and moved to Brooklyn when I married Shay.” When her children were young, Kay Robyn was a stay-at-home mom, but she always made time to do hesed . “First and foremost are my family and home life. I have learned that hesed begins at home and one has to save their own bayit first.” Kay Robyn’s spirituality continues to flourish. Her children were raised without TV and Wi-Fi and were encouraged to play with blocks and to build things. Not surprisingly, Kay Robyn’s professional role model was Judi Franco Chalme, a community member and radio host on NJ.105. Kay Robyn’s religious role model is Rebbetzin Molly Haber. Kay Robyn takes classes at the Avenue J Torah Center and listens to LearnTorah.com while she bakes. “I have never burned a batch while listening to Rabbi Joey Haber, Rebbetzin Molly’s son. It’s important to have doses of Torah and Hashem by your side in addition to tefillah .” Kay Robyn became a substitute teacher, and was an assistant playgroup morah at Barkai Yeshiva for four years. She adored her students. Kay Robyn also worked with children in camps and Shabbatons . @ Kays i nthek i tchen is Born As you recall, Kay Robyn dreamed of becoming a radio host. Her dreams and passions came to fruition with @ kaysinthekitchen. About four-and-a-half years ago, Kay Robyn began her journey as the “air-frying queen.” Air fryers have become one of the trendiest cooking devices and are hailed as the next Instant Pot. Manufacturers invented air fryers as a more healthful way to cook deep-fried foods, using only a fraction of the oil required by deep fryers. The added bonus was the far lower calorie count. Kay Robyn was dieting and working with Eve Elenhorn of FlavorfulFIT. About the same time, Kay Robyn won a local Kosher Chopped competition hosted by Naomi Nachman. She landed the prize of a free class at The Kosher Culinary Center. With @Kaysinthekitchen, Kay Robyn entered a new phase of her career, in food services. “Growing up, my mom was very food-oriented, started her own granola business, and I always loved to bake.” Getting the Word Out in Her Unique Way Kay Robyn developed an outlet to share stress-free cooking tips, stories, and demos with women on her Instagram blog, @ kaysinthekitchen. She does this in “a kosher and unique way.” Kay Robyn asserts, “Life is hard, and I offer quick and easy tools. I use Instagram but don’t abuse it. At 47, I’m doing what I want to do, talking to my followers and helping them make healthy and fun meals.” Kay Robyn’s family is very proud of her blog. There are, however, moments when her kids exclaim, “Mom, we want to eat dinner, can you please stop taking a video of the food?!” Before the pandemic, Kay Robyn added a new skill set. She partnered with large kosher food companies, arranging demo tables with food tastings in kosher supermarkets andat KosherFest events. Kay Robyn aspires to become a spokesperson for a Jewish kosher food brand and to start a podcast one day soon. Kay Robyn also sells homemade clean gluten free cookies. Community Kay Robyn feels blessed to be in her community. “There is so much positivity, love, and hesed in our community; it becomes your family.” Her sister Cindy is in awe of Kay Robyn’s commitment to helping people and calls her a humble superwoman. I met Kay Robyn when she was the MC at a Challah Bake sponsored by MOMS (Moms on a Mitzvah). She is a teammember of MOMS, founded by Linda Sadacka in 2013. MOMS is a group of mothers who make hesed their mission by weaving it into their daily lives. Kay Robyn looks forward to more hesed opportunities. To relax, she listens to music and dances, having taken ballet as a child. Kay Robyn’s Parting Advice I leave you with a life tip from Kay Robyn. “Be natural. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Just be you and you will succeed.” Connect with Kay Robyn by phone (718-810-0008), email kayrobyn.ash@gmail.com or on Instagram @kaysinthekitchen. EllenGellerKamaras,CPA/MBA, isan InternationalCoachFederation(ICF)AssociateCertified Coach. Hercoachingspecialties include life,career,anddatingcoaching. Shecanbecontactedat ellen@lifecoachellen.com ( www.lifecoachellen.com) .