workshops    midwood workshop

Sophie Rand

My name is Sophie Rand and I am 12 years old. I go to J.H.S. #240 (Andries Hudde) and I'm in the 7th grade. I like to read, write, listen to music, make art and hang out with my friends. The origin of my family is Poland. My mom is an artist and my dad is a psychiatrist. (Spring 2003)

Interesting Fact: I have a heart murmur.

Story Description: Getting to Know Big Babi
Sophie is one of nearly 100 great-grandkids on the side of her father's grandmother, Serena - a 106-year old Holocaust survivor. Besides the large family, and the age difference, there are other things making it hard for Sophie to get to know Serena: Sophie is not nearly as religious as Serena, they do not speak the same language (Sophie speaks English, her great-grandmother speaks Yiddish), and then there are the adults of the family who protect Serena. But despite all of this, Sophie is determined to get to know her great-grandmother, and in doing so, she's learning a whole lot about herself and her family.

(Please note: Sophie's great-grandmother Serena died on August 21st, 2003 - just as Sophie was completing her story) Mentor: Elaine Shen is a production assistant for the Brian Lehrer Show. She came to WNYC from WYPR in Baltimore. In college, she was mostly protesting on Wall Street or cleaning up parks, but she also managed to complete her degree in urban studies. She is now slowly learning to play the tabla and enjoys salsa and hip-hop dancing. (Spring 2003)

Sophie's great-grandmother Serena