Author Profile:  Sheila Smolensky

Sheila Smolensky was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1939.  She attended Chicago public schools and took extensive classes at the Chicago Art Institute in addition to one year of college before marrying Morton, her high school sweetheart, in 1962.  She worked as a secretary in order to help her new husband attain his goal of becoming a teacher.  Upon his graduation from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, the couple moved to Denver, Colorado where Mort taught math and computer classes in the public school district.

During the 31 years that the Smolenskys lived in Colorado, they raised a son and two daughters, two gerbils, two parakeets and two Labrador mix dogs.  Once the children started school, Sheila became an assistant editor and graphic designer for Pioneer Drama Service, staying with the company for 18 years.  The family enjoyed the many outdoor activities available in Colorado, including hiking, camping and skiing.  Sheila also acted at a Denver children’s theatre for a season and designed and sewed costumes for the three plays produced during that year.  She had a wonderful time; her favorite part was playing the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland.

In 1993 Sheila and Mort moved to Phoenix, Arizona.  Sheila became the secretary to a Phoenix rabbi.  She and her husband also became the editors of the congregation's newsletter and assisted in fund raising projects.  In 1999 they moved to Israel and decided upon Tzfat as their new home.  Since that time they have become dedicated volunteers in the community, including helping at an email bulletin board with almost 800 subscribers and assisting in founding an organization that assists needy families with various social programs; all supported by donors.

Sheila and Mort have nine grandchildren and one “grandcat” in the US, whom they enjoy visiting as often as possible, plus two four legged "children" – a dog and a cat – at home.