Page 33 - issue
P. 33
Israel is the one and only Jewish 29
state, and it is home to nearly
half of the world’s Jews. And
while we have a truly wonderful
country, there are those who are
working every day to demonize
Israel in the hopes of weakening
“it and ultimately destroying it.
by Eta Kushner
her path in life,” says Aliza. “She is an extremely bright and
accomplished woman. She’s a great friend, and I am glad we
are still close and can share experiences and have our chil-
dren grow up to know each other even if we live far apart.”
And Naomi W, a more distant classmate, nevertheless
remembers Rhoda as being a studious and diligent student
who was very bright and a class leader: “She was very kind
and refined, and people always gathered around her.”
Mrs. Dermer graciously gave her time to participate in this
email interview. In it, she explains how she came to be in her
”position and what it’s like to be an Israeli ambassador’s wife,
speaking eloquently about her “unofficial” role and how it
impacts her family.
Where What When: Did you ever think of aliyah when you
were growing up, or was this a surprise development in your
life?
Rhoda Dermer: It was definitely a surprise development! In
the fall of 2000, just after law school, I began a comparative
law clerkship at Israel’s Supreme Court. It was supposed to
be a one year clerkship, a year off between law school and the
start of a career at a big law firm in New York City. But dur-
ing that year I met Ron, and the entire course of my life
changed. Although I guess you could say that I moved to
Israel for love, what I’ve discovered over the years is that I love
u 410 358 8509 u
state, and it is home to nearly
half of the world’s Jews. And
while we have a truly wonderful
country, there are those who are
working every day to demonize
Israel in the hopes of weakening
“it and ultimately destroying it.
by Eta Kushner
her path in life,” says Aliza. “She is an extremely bright and
accomplished woman. She’s a great friend, and I am glad we
are still close and can share experiences and have our chil-
dren grow up to know each other even if we live far apart.”
And Naomi W, a more distant classmate, nevertheless
remembers Rhoda as being a studious and diligent student
who was very bright and a class leader: “She was very kind
and refined, and people always gathered around her.”
Mrs. Dermer graciously gave her time to participate in this
email interview. In it, she explains how she came to be in her
”position and what it’s like to be an Israeli ambassador’s wife,
speaking eloquently about her “unofficial” role and how it
impacts her family.
Where What When: Did you ever think of aliyah when you
were growing up, or was this a surprise development in your
life?
Rhoda Dermer: It was definitely a surprise development! In
the fall of 2000, just after law school, I began a comparative
law clerkship at Israel’s Supreme Court. It was supposed to
be a one year clerkship, a year off between law school and the
start of a career at a big law firm in New York City. But dur-
ing that year I met Ron, and the entire course of my life
changed. Although I guess you could say that I moved to
Israel for love, what I’ve discovered over the years is that I love
u 410 358 8509 u
