Faygie audrusier, manchester,vt
Faygie Andrusier, Manchester, VT
We live in Manchester with our crew of kids. Our oldest son attends a Yeshiva out of town, and the rest of our kids do a combination of online and home schooling. Together with my husband, we run Chabad of Manchester which serves Bennington County.
Our work and responsibilities are multifaceted. Our day could look drastically different from one day to the next. Some days we are fully focused on homeschooling our kids, and making sure they are learning and growing in a happy, wholesome, and holy environment. Other days we may be busy catering Kosher meals for visitors or the local hotels. There's always a variety of projects and activities going on. Classes, meals, parties, home visitation, challah deliveries. It's a toss up what we're busy with on any given day.
Reading and creative writing have always been part of my life. The changing seasons, especially in this incredible corner of the world, fills me with absolute joy and happiness. Walking in the stillness of the snow, planting tulips with the kids, the sweet smell of the Lilac trees, eating tomatoes fresh from the vine, apple picking in the orchard, sitting in the sukkah under the stars... this is life!
I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and lived there until I was about 9 yrs old. After that I lived in a couple of different places - Massachusetts, Albany, and even Iowa! Neither of my parents were Chabad growing up. My father grew up in Jerusalem in a very Hassidic family and community. My mother grew up in Pittsburgh in a traditional Jewish home. She became Chabad as a young adult. Our home was always full of action. We are a family of 6 girls (and my father is a Mohel, go figure!).
My Jewish identity is the strongest and most true part of who I am. It is my essence, so therefore everything I am involved in, including work, family, and community is an extension and an expression of that essence. My actions, decisions and thoughts are a reflection of my Torah values and Torah education.
I feel that my current life and experiences in Vermont are absolutely enhanced and infinitely more precious because of my Jewish identity. The fresh air, majestic mountains, the trees and the clouds...they simultaneously soothe and invigorate not only my physical body, but my soul. I believe it is this truth, this state of mind, that is the most treasured gift of a strong Jewish identity and education. There is a harmony, a peace, between the physical and spiritual, the body and the soul, what is seen and unseen. With the tools and insights given to us, we can search out that harmony, and with G-d's help, we can hold it in our hands.
