Chaya Block

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Oct 24, 2023, 4:35 AM

Reflections from Variety’s Hollywood & Antisemitism Summit

On my plane ride back from the Variety Hollywood & Antisemitism Summit there was a Hasidic man sitting behind me, and he was visibly praying, tefillin and all. Not something I would usually do, but given the current times, I felt compelled...

Nov 25, 2018, 10:19 AM

A Defective System

It’s 4:00 AM. I’m flying home to Chicago from a Criminal Justice Reform Summit in LA. The Summit co-hosted by Rolling Stone and Variety united the entertainment, philanthropic, advocacy and policymaking communities to address injustices in our criminal justice...

Mar 20, 2018, 12:46 AM

Demolition Derby

Years to build, minutes to destroy. It has been a noisy week with construction workers and their toys tirelessly demolishing the apartments across from me. Hearing the loud smashes and crashes of wood, bricks, and metal was unpleasant and initially...

Apr 3, 2017, 8:48 AM

Considering critique

I consider myself to be a conscientious worker and have received emails from my employers over the years reinforcing the quality of my work and motivating me to work harder. It therefore came as a shock when I received...

May 12, 2016, 12:55 AM

Is confidence walking down the street with posture? Holding your head up high? Believing others when they compliment you? I believe confidence is multi-faceted, and even if I struggle to define confidence, I can certainly sniff from a mile...

Mar 10, 2016, 9:28 PM

The Pursuit of Happiness

Living so far away from home can get tough. I am currently living independently in NYC, while the rest of my family lives in Melbourne, Australia. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but I personally find at...

Feb 16, 2016, 5:24 PM

He Who Risks Is Free

My mum is my number one fan. She always tells me how smart I am. And how talented. And how beautiful. I can do no wrong. I am basically perfect. An angel. Oh, and did I mention that everything,...

Dec 24, 2015, 5:34 PM

#isthepictureworththeprice?!

I am a social media lover. As a “Newbie” to Instagram I became fixated with checking out pictures daily from models, foodies, photographers and daily doses of inspiration. Last night my friend whatsapped me a video called “Instagram Husbands,”...

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About Me

Chaya is 30-years-old and originally from Melbourne, Australia. She is currently living in New York City with her husband who is completing his Cardiology Fellowship at Cornell and their 2 beautiful boys. She holds a Bachelor's in Behavioral Science and a Masters in Special Education. For over 7 years, she has been working for the Aleph Institute, a non-profit that provides all encompassing support to those in their loneliest environments, namely those incarcerated and their shattered families left behind. She is particularly passionate about criminal justice reform and helping to break the vicious cycle of addiction, incarceration, and mental illness among youth.