Ari S.

My mom Helen was born in 1943 in NY, then she grew up in Havana. She was a teacher and an urban planner and then a stay-at-home mom, then an advocate for victims of domestic violence, court-appointed mediator, and really long-time ADL board member. Now she plays bridge and belongs to a million book clubs. When I was little, she made me do all kinds of stuff I didn’t like (gymnastics, basketball, softball, going outside when we were waiting for pieces of a space shuttle to fall despite my fear of being hit by one, tennis lessons, swim team, summer camp) with people who I was terribly shy of. I ended loving two of these things but I found other sports I also love because I was eventually confident about doing sports. My mom supports and loves me unconditionally, but she can be tough.

Her advice to me: Speak respectfully to people if you want to be respected.

I love you, Mom.