My Story

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I grew up in Great Neck, New York, and received my Bachelors degree from The George Washington University in 1993. In 1996 I earned a Masters degree from HUC-JIR, the thesis for which was Holocaust education and how the lessons from that period in history inform how we teach tolerance and acceptance today.

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Upon graduation, I spent ten years as Director of Education at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford Corners, NY, two years as Development Director for Tikva Children’s Home, a charity supporting homeless and abandoned children in Ukraine, and four years as Director of Lifelong Learning at Central Synagogue in Manhattan. I also served as a mentor and coach for other educators, and as a consultant for Beit Teshuvah, an addiction recovery center in Los Angeles.

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I have been Executive Director of Breast Cancer Alliance since June 2011, one of the most prominent breast cancer charities in the United States, and have learned so much about health and the healthcare industry during this time. I remain an active volunteer, currently sitting on the National Council for Arts and Sciences at The George Washington University and the Community Advisory Council of Greenwich Hospital. In 2019 I was honored to be named one of “40 Fascinating Women” by WAG Magazine alongside a remarkable list of female trailblazers, and one of the "Women Who Inspire" by the YWCA in 2021. My greatest source of pride, and gratitude, is being "Ma" to my son.

 

So why Yon Appetit?

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I battled an eating disorder for years. I wanted to look good. I wanted to look worthy. I wanted to make people happy, be top of the game, and never let anyone down. I have a loving family, had lots of friends and relationships, but somehow I just didn't feel like I was "enough."  In addition to the emotional trauma these disorders bring, I did a lot of damage to my body.

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After experimenting with various diets, both healthy and not, a team of doctors told me the only way to heal my physical symptoms was to follow a vegan diet. This initially daunting way of life helped me to heal. It changed my relationship with food. I learned to love cooking and it fueled my passion for helping others feel their best too. I formalized those skills by earning my certification at the prestigious Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a Certified Integrative Nutritional Health Coach. 

 

In addition to coaching and creating original recipes, I have written for numerous publications as a featured food writer and wellness collaborator including Daily Dose, LOOK, StacyKnows, Bridgeport Hospital, Starling Skincare and the Jewish Community Voice and I was interviewed on a great podcast, 52 Weeks of Me. 

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There is no one size fits all for anything in life. If you are looking to make a change, lose weight, improve your health, and find more time to enjoy life, contact me to help you on that journey. I look forward to sharing it with you.​

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To your health,

Yonni

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