The Life and Times of Samara Lazerson – Abridged (to be continued..)
Early Childhood:
– I was born in Hartford, CT to my beautiful parents Lee and Becky Lazerson
– I have one older brother, Robert
– My father is Jewish and my mother is Christian and yet I am very thankful they agreed to raise my brother and I Jewish.
– We moved to South Florida when I was 5, and we’ve lived there ever since.
– Growing up I absolutely loved to perform; dancing was my first passion, quickly followed by singing and acting.
– My favorite subject in grade school was American History, I loved everything about it, and at a very young age I developed a huge interest for current events and the news.
– I am a HUGE dog lover! Growing up we had three wonderful dogs, unfortunately they’ve passed on and their reign has ended, but now my parents own three cute little munchkin dachshunds.
– I was Bat Mitzvah’d in September of 2005, and unfortunately that’s when the vast majority of my religious involvement ended.
Young Adulthood:
– In High School I became super involved in Theater and Student Government and developed a knack for philanthropy.
– Freshman year I tried my first attempt at creating a Non-Profit organization, it was called CHANGE and it was aimed at promoting green living and friendliness to the environment. Unfortunately I was in way over my head at 14, and that project fizzled out.
– Senior year as Student Government President, the executive board and I helped launch a school beautification project. We hoped to heighten the excitement towards school by improving the campus atmosphere and giving the school a little face-lift.
– When I graduated college I had big dreams of becoming an actress and couldn’t wait to move to the Big Apple.
College:
– In the summer of 2010 I enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Go Gators!
– I actually entered school as a declared Telecommunications major and hoped to pursue an education on the News Track. Given my big interest in current events and the news, I thought it would be a good back up degree for me if acting fell through.
– Freshman year brought about a lot of struggles and self-discovery, as the journey of moving away from home often does, and I decided that year to pursue my faith a little more. I was at best a twice-a-year-Jew at that point, or what the church often refers to as Easter-Christian’s. I wanted to learn more about my faith and become more involved in the traditions.
– Sophomore year I became a Theater major because I had missed performing. When it came time to enroll in a foreign language, I picked Hebrew because I thought it would bring me closer to my faith, and preceded to learn the language for three semesters.
– Junior year I got the Amazing opportunity to travel abroad on a program called Semester at Sea (www.semesteratsea.org) I traveled to 14 different countries including Spain, Greece, Ghana, South Africa, Argentina and Brazil. I had my eyes opened to the cultures of the world and developed a deep respect and passion for other societies, people, traditions, and ultimately ended up with a serious hunger for travel. (Amedzofe Village, Ghana)
– My travels abroad also re-ignited by passion for international affairs and current events, and that following summer I interned at WFSB, a news station back up in Hartford, CT.
– Senior year my studies concentrated on national security and foreign affairs, particularly that of the Middle East.
– While I graduated with a degree in Political Science I have a real passion for Nutrition and Fitness, and as of right now I’d really like to spread the Gospel through the promotion of physical health, using what God has to say on the topic.
– Both my summer in CT and my senior year of college were marked by a tremendous spiritual journey, read more here (http://samaralazerson.theworldrace.org/?filename=jew-in-the-pew).
– My hunger for faith that started freshman year completely exploded, and my desire to pursue God ultimately led me to my Messiah, Yeshua.
– I am now incredibly passionate about my faith and exploring the linkage between Judaism and Jesus. The more I explore the more amazed I am. There is a tremendous connection between the practices/beliefs of the Christian Church, and their beautiful Jewish Roots. The puzzle fits together so well and only when we look at the whole picture can we see the true beauty. I’ve noticed this holds incredibly true for both sides, my Jewish brothers and sisters, and Christians a like, as Paul so perfectly stated in Romans 11:17-20…
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you,although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[a] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
– In the end, for someone who considers herself organized and a planner, I have lots of different passions that lead me all over the place, I love God, dogs, health, fitness, news, dogs, politics, philanthropy, travel, this beautiful country we live in, and not to mention, dogs. I find it fascinating that I entered college as a young aspiring actress, hoping to live in the big city and possessing many material dreams. And now I leave with an aspiration to help others both in body and spirit, hoping to one day live in the countryside and tend to my own vegetable garden, and I want to do it all for the One who created me! My how things can change.
