Meet Our Community |
CLAIRE MAXI grew up in Manhattan. But what I really looked forward to each week was spending weekends with my parents in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, an hour and a half to the north. I had been fascinated by astronomy since I was 8 years old; in the Berkshires the skies were dark and I could take out my little telescope to observe the planets. Back then astronomy was just a hobby that I did for fun, but I seem to have retained my passion for the stars - I became a professional astronomer and professor at UC Santa Cruz.
I look forward to living in a multi-generational community where I can share my astro-passion and my love of Judaism with both children and adults in the community. I live in Berkeley with my husband Jon Arons. We have a son and two grandchildren. |
JON ARONSI am an astronomer (technically, a theoretical astrophysicist), and an emeritus UC Berkeley Astronomy and Physics professor. Like many professionals with an Astronomy degree, my interest began early, at age 8 (many pros say their interest began at that age.)
I enjoy classical music and jazz, and play the cello, which I will bring to the Moshav. I have participated in amateur chamber music groups, and been a member of “The Really Terrible String Orchestra” – yes, that’s the name of a (perhaps surprisingly) rather accomplished amateur orchestra. I also like cinema and cooking, and read just about anything. I am looking forward to living with others from whom I can learn. I am a member of Netivot Shalom. |
ELLEN REIERAs a classically trained musician and music historian, I’ve always loved music, and it continues to be an essential part of who I am. I work as a software engineer at Oracle in Redwood City, CA. Until the last few years I’ve lived in communal households since I was a young adult. I miss the spontaneous opportunities for socializing that were available to me when I lived communally, and that’s what I’m most looking forward to when I move into Berkeley Moshav.
My family belonged to a Conservative shul in the Pittsburgh area when I was growing up. My parents taught the five of us children the importance of social justice work, especially with respect to anti-racism. My siblings and I try to live by these values today, and teach them to our children. I also enjoy being an active member of my synagogue community. With so many ways to do this in Berkeley, I am able to continue my Jewish learning, I have three daughters, and a granddaughter who is attending college. |
KEREN STRONACHI grew up in Iran, where my parents were archaeologists, and then lived in Israel and England before moving to the US in high school. I always loved the strong sense of community I experienced in Israel and have wanted to recreate it here in Bay Area. This is why I am looking forward to living in Berkeley Moshav where we can support each other and engage in communal activities, including art, cooking, gardening, babysitting, dog walking, and celebration of Jewish holidays.
In my spare time I enjoy hiking, poetry, arts and crafts, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and writing. I have two teens, Talia (age 17) and Ben (age 15) and I work at UCSF in the Cancer Center as a Patient and Family Experience Specialist. |
SHARON MCCAULEYI currently live in Los Angeles but am moving to Berkeley to be closer to my family. I am a textile artist with a passion for Jewish art -many that can be used in Jewish life cycle events. I am also a CPA.
I have three children and six grandchildren and one of my favorite things is being Bubbe. Jewish life is very important to me. I identify as Conservative and egalitarian and am active in the IKAR community in LA. I am also a member of the Pomegranate Guild. I am looking forward to celebrating with Jewish holidays and sharing my love and talent in creating beautiful Judaica with Moshav members. |
ELLY VALASI am moving to Berkeley from Denver to be closer to my family. The Moshav appeals to me both because it will be a multi-generational community and will enhance my Jewish life. I have been interested in co-housing for several decades trying to conceive a communal setting to age in place with my closest friends.
I enjoy music of all types; travel(!), hiking, biking, walking and cooking. Since retiring as a small business consultant, I am raising and training Labrador/Golden retriever puppies for Canine Companions to become assistance dogs for veterans, autistic children and persons with physical disabilities. I will be bringing my pups to Berkeley where they will be happy to be entertained by Moshav children. I am active, engaged and a real “people person”, and I think I have a great sense of humor. I've been to 49 states, 30 countries and all 7 continents. I have six nieces and nephews and like to think I’m the world’s greatest Auntie. |
NATALIE RODEN
I grew up in Richmond and Berkeley and now live in Pleasant Hill. After spending a summer as a Fellow at Urban Adamah, I felt that communal living would be the optimal way to live. Judaism has always been an important part of my life and I am looking forward to having a community of people with whom I can establish deep relationships. In 2013, I received my B.A in Strategic Communications with a minor in Political Science from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. In May of 2020, I acquired my Associates of Science degree in Library Technology from Diablo Valley College and am now working on a Master’s degree in Information Science online at San Jose State University while working for the Contra Costa Public Library System. I love animals and currently have an Abyssinian Guinea Pig named Penny and a Skinny Pig named Pancake.
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