Ana Sazonov

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Ana Sazonov's life journey is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of giving back. Born in Ukraine without knowing her jewish roots and identity. Ana's family adapted to their surroundings, navigating the challenges of antisemitism and surviving the Holocaust. Growing up, Ana embraced her Ukrainian identity, unaware of her Jewish roots and the existence of Israel. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the Jewish Agency For Israel (JAFI) offered Ana's family the opportunity to make Aliyah (immigration to Israel) and begin anew in the Promised Land. This pivotal move ignited Ana's exploration of her Jewish identity in ways she had never imagined. Ana's commitment to her newfound identity led her to serve two years in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a Basic Training Commander. With a bachelor's degree with honors in Business and Economics from Ruppin Academic Center, Ana initially explored diverse industries, including advertising, crowdfunding, and development. However, her true calling lay in Jewish communal work, which began as the Israel Fellow (emissary) to Emory University Hillel. There, she guided students in exploring their Jewish identities and their ties to Israel. Ana's passion led her to Brandeis University, where she earned an MA in Jewish Professional Leadership and an MBA from the Heller School through the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program. During her time in Boston, she founded JewBer, a Jewish startup that delivered thousands of Kosher meals to Jewish medical professionals, low-income seniors, and Holocaust survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Ana served as the Executive Director of the Columbia Jewish Federation in South Carolina. In response to the war in Ukraine, Ana answered the call to support her homeland. She provided assistance and comfort to Ukrainian refugees on the Polish-Ukrainian border as part of a volunteer mission sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Driven by her commitment to the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Ana tirelessly dedicates her time to Ukraine. Today, she working with Ukrainian Patriot, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding Ukrainians who are affected by the war. Her unwavering dedication to the cause has led her to confront another crisis, this time in her homeland of Israel. On October 7th, 2023, Ana found herself once again in the midst of battle, drawing upon her previous experiences to swiftly spring into action and assist her fellow Israelis in their time of need. In 2023 Ana was selected to be on the Hadassah List of 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know.