Carly: Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do for a living?
Leora: My name is Leora Woll, and I am from The Woodlands, Texas. I am a dietetic intern at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston! I studied nutrition at Texas Tech University, and I moved to Houston for graduate school. My goal is to be a clinical dietitian once I graduate in 2024.
Carly: What was your 'Jewish experience' like in college?
Leora: There are not many Jews in Lubbock, Texas, so I did not have much of a Jewish experience in college. I attended services at the local synagogue on high-holy days and took a trip with Birthright during my sophomore year of college, but that is about it. I was very excited to move to Houston because of the large Jewish community.
Carly: What do you enjoy most about Jewston events?
Leora: I enjoy the community. I always meet someone new, and everyone is so welcoming. My favorite events are the Shabbat dinners. The food is always really good and it’s a nice tradition to celebrate Shabbat once a month with Jewston.
Carly: How has your time in Houston been?
Leora: It has definitely been a learning experience! Taking the metro, navigating one-way streets, finding my favorite study spots, and making new friends are just a few things I’ve learned. I did not know anyone when I moved to Houston, so attending Jewston events and involving myself in the Jewish community in Houston helped me make new friends.
Carly: What has been the biggest surprise about living in Houston?
Leora: The biggest surprise about living in Houston is the number of walking/ running areas. Hermann Park and Buffalo Bayou are two of my favorites. Everyone talks about the traffic or humidity (which are both not fun), but I never knew how many beautiful parks there are in Houston.
Carly: Is there anything else you want the Jewston community to know?
Leora: There are so many opportunities to meet new people, and I look forward to making friends at Jewston events in the new year!