Magazine 2023-08 web

dents that ar to year is students. I am eir awareness when ut.” Woman Woman to One on One with ELLEN GELLER KAMARAS “I strive to keep things light and positive. I look for beauty in everything and thrive on being active and in nature. My creative success is a gift.” You may have met Mimi Sharaby when ordering custom invitations for an event or if you participated in one of her new wellness workshops. She was born and raised in Brooklyn and attended Bet Yaakov Ateret Torah from nursery through high school. Her maternal grandparents are fromEgypt and her father’s parents are from Argentina, both originally of Syrian descent. A very serious student, Mimi enthusiastically participated in class. Although she adored her classmates, Mimi preferred reading books during recess. Mimi had several outstanding rolemodels. Mimi’s father, Rabbi Yitzchak (Zacky), is her favorite first grade rebbe and has been at Ateret Torah since Mimi was born. “His students remember him for life. He also leaves an indelible mark on his overnight campers.” Her dad has an incredible sense of humor and is positive and warm. Rabbi Zacky keeps things light and “loves interacting with people and makes them smile immediately.” It’s no surprise that Mimi likes to “keep things light,” which she attributes to her father. “My mom is a talented pianist and has been the music director of many prominent schools. She has taught hundreds of private students, many of whom became piano teachers themselves.” Mimi credits her mother for fostering her confidence, independence, and drive for self-improvement. “She didn’t coddle me. She always believed inme andmy two sisters and encouraged me to work on solutions to problems, saying, ‘You can do it!’” Her mother’s advice is practical, proactive, and empowering. Mimi is the oldest of three daughters and views her two sisters as her best friends. Mimi’s spirituality was nurtured by many, including school mentors and her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Sara Malka, and her maternal great-grandmother. “My grandmother gives shiurim and is a rock, an inspiring source of faith and strength.” Mimi’s great-grandmother, Adele Shwekey, a”h , passed away three years ago. Living close by, she was an extraordinary mentor who unconditionally loved Mimi and everyone she knew. “She believed in me and always pushed me to be better. I always left our visits on a high and invigorated. I miss her incredibly.” Mimi is so appreciative of her large family and is very close to her many aunts, uncles, and cousins whom she loves and admires. Career and Marriage Mimi spent her gap year studying at B.Y.A. Seminary in Har Nof in Jerusalem. “It was an experience like no other. Meeting girls from all over, cultivating maturity and independence, being in a beautiful spiritual setting, and soaking up the learning.” When she returned to NY, Mimi enrolled in a certificate program in computer graphics. Her first job was in Brooklyn at “Creative Expressions.” Mimi’s skillset grew as she worked on invitation layouts and calligraphy for bar mitzvahs and weddings and she designed flyers and other printed materials for three years. “I am forever grateful for that job opportunity.” Around that time, Mimi met her husband Mordechai, through mutual cousins. “I was impressed with his positive outlook on life and his sterling middot . We became engaged after Sukkot.” They have been married for 16 years and Mordechai spent fifteen of those years learning at the Shaare Zion Kollel in Brooklyn under Rabbi Yaacov Ben-Haim and Rabbi Yehuda Eliyahu. Five years ago, he started kiruv work at Congregation Ohr Torah in North Woodmere, saw immediate success, and recently accepted the Junior Rabbi position there. The couple has six children, two daughters and four boys. The two oldest, who are girls, “are my right hands.” They are students at Ateret and Mimi enjoys experiencing Ateret again with her kids. Mimi feels blessed to be a part of her community. There is an overall sense of belonging and people are always striving to grow and be there for each other. Mimi’s Spark My first impression of Mimi was that she was charming, poised, and grounded. Initially, I thought she was on the quiet side. When she began to talk about her passions, I saw her light up, and her liveliness and creative spark were palpable. Mimi describes herself as an upbeat and positive person, who aims to keep smiling, and has a colorful and creative mind. Inbusiness, she ispassionateabout design, pattern, and color. In her daily routines and personal life, she seeks out beauty in nature, enjoys running and exercise, self-care, and balance. And of course, coffee dates with her cousins and friends. Mimi thrives on being active and has the most energy when she starts early. She is family-oriented and is very proud of her children. “I like to keep things light and look for beauty in everything.” ~ Mimi Mimi Sharaby 44 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE