NYHS mom Rochelle Turgeman dreamed of being a professional ballroom dancer for as long as she could remember, but her commitment to religion decided to take her life in a different direction.

“I’ve been dancing since I was 9. When I got older, my father decided that I should go to college and focus on a different career.” 

During college, at Cornish College of the Arts, Turgeman started to become more in touch with her Jewish roots.     

“In college, I studied design, and I did a lot of projects that dealt with life, death, and spirituality,” said Turgeman. “Doing these projects helped me relook my Judaism and who I am. It was a spiritual turning point for me.” 

While working in design, Turgeman redesigned the interior of the Congregation Ezra Bessaroth synagogue. 

Turgeman graduated in 2003 and moved to Los Angeles, California.

“After I graduated, I decided that I was going to live the life that I wanted to,” she said.

She competed in many competitive ballroom competitions while living in California. 

Turgeman spent a lot of time dancing, but realized she wanted to become completely observant in Judaism.

     “In order to keep things like Shabbat, I unfortunately needed to quit full-time dancing.” 

 Turgeman started teaching dance to others and realized that she was especially good at helping others enjoy the art of dance. 

Turgeman stopped teaching in 2010, when her second child, Miriam, was born. Turgeman now has three children — Moshe, who is in 11th grade, Miriam, who is in 9th grade, and Esther who is in 4th grade.

    She moved back to Seattle in 2014 and now lives in Seward Park with her family. She still loves art and dancing and was happy that she did it, even though she had to quit. 

   “I believe you should follow your dreams, ask God to guide you throughout everything that you do, and be open that the path might change,” she said. “All desires and all motivation towards your goals are good.”