David Pasteelnick
Honoree
My formative years were spent mostly in the suburbs of New Jersey. My Jewish education was forged by two early years of heder at Hebrew Academy of Morris County, followed by a shift to public school and weekly Hebrew school and services at Mt. Freedom Hebrew Congregation. I fled to college after four tortuous years of high school, earning a BA in English from Brandeis University (cue the song from Avenue Q), which included an unforgettable year studying abroad at the University of Sussex in the south of England.
After graduation there was a bit of floundering about in dead-end jobs and temp work along with false starts toward careers in Journalism and live theater before I made my way to Teachers College at Columbia University, earning an MA in Arts Administration. This led to a career in fundraising for the arts and my current 10+ years at Brooklyn Public Library as Senior Grants Manager.
My love of theater is familiar to anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes in my presence. I was introduced to both performance and attendance at a young age through school plays, proximity to Broadway productions and community theater starting post-college and continuing to this day.
My involvement in Jewish life waxed and waned due to various lifecycle events (cancer – more religious; coming out – less religious; 9/11 – more religious) as well as my relocation to NYC, which had me initially rootless when it came to a spiritual home. A chance meeting at a Pride event led to a friendship that took me around to various synagogues where I eventually landed at this esteemed institution.
Family has always been central to my life, and I am blessed with two wonderful parents, a ride-or-die sister, two delightful nephews and a “numerous as the sands of the seashore” collection of first, second and even third cousins – all of whom enrich my life. The cherry on top is my beloved husband who supports me, grounds me and – most importantly – makes me laugh like no one else.
After graduation there was a bit of floundering about in dead-end jobs and temp work along with false starts toward careers in Journalism and live theater before I made my way to Teachers College at Columbia University, earning an MA in Arts Administration. This led to a career in fundraising for the arts and my current 10+ years at Brooklyn Public Library as Senior Grants Manager.
My love of theater is familiar to anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes in my presence. I was introduced to both performance and attendance at a young age through school plays, proximity to Broadway productions and community theater starting post-college and continuing to this day.
My involvement in Jewish life waxed and waned due to various lifecycle events (cancer – more religious; coming out – less religious; 9/11 – more religious) as well as my relocation to NYC, which had me initially rootless when it came to a spiritual home. A chance meeting at a Pride event led to a friendship that took me around to various synagogues where I eventually landed at this esteemed institution.
Family has always been central to my life, and I am blessed with two wonderful parents, a ride-or-die sister, two delightful nephews and a “numerous as the sands of the seashore” collection of first, second and even third cousins – all of whom enrich my life. The cherry on top is my beloved husband who supports me, grounds me and – most importantly – makes me laugh like no one else.