Kozakov Foundation Scholarship for Jewish Creatives

Pursuing Dreams Through Film: My Journey and Aspirations When I close my eyes, I see stories unfolding. I hear music and imagine characters and narratives taking shape. Growing up in an Orthodox Jewish household, my fascination with storytelling initially felt like an unusual path for me. However, from the moment I was old enough to follow my mother around the house, telling stories and dancing in the living room, I knew I wanted to create and share these stories with the world. In 2021, while studying in northern Israel, I witnessed a devastating crowd crush during Lag BaOmer, a joyous Jewish holiday celebrated in Meron. The tragedy, which claimed 45 lives, was a horrible reminder of life’s fragility. As my friends and I struggled to process the event, we turned to music and storytelling to navigate our emotions. This experience solidified my desire to pursue my passion for film and use it as a way to share impactful and meaningful stories. I realized that films, as a unique language, could convey emotions and narratives that words sometimes cannot. Upon returning to the United States after my gap year in Israel, I channeled my passion into tangible projects. I started a dance studio named after my grandmother, Penny A”h, to honor her memory and provide a space for young dancers to explore their creativity. This journey has been a rewarding way to contribute to my community and inspire the next generation of young Jewish girls. Since then, I have moved the studio to Brooklyn, where I continue to nurture and expand it. My journey thus far has been shaped by passion, pain, and hope. Looking ahead, I am excited to draw on my past experiences and values as an Orthodox Jewish woman to guide me as I pursue a degree in film at Pace University. My goal is to master the craft of filmmaking and focus on creating stories that reflect both the human and Jewish experience. Inspired by pioneering Jewish filmmakers such as Barbra Streisand, whose significant contributions to the industry have set a high standard, I am determined to follow in their footsteps. In summary, I aspire to use film not only to preserve Jewish stories of courage and faith but also to encourage change and foster empathy in our world. I am eager to dedicate myself fully to my studies and creative projects. Through this dedication, I hope to not only contribute to the field, but also encourage others to pursue their own creative dreams.