Birthday Reflections at 46: Finding My Voice, My Joy, and My B’sheret

Today I turn 46. It’s one of those in-between ages where it can feel a little hard—closer to 50 than 40—but there’s a beautiful way to look at it, too.

At 46, I know who I am more than ever. I feel proud of the life I’m building, both in my work and at home. I’m a mom to amazing daughters. I’m surrounded by family, friends, and a supportive community. And I’m doing something I deeply love—feeding people and creating connection through food.

As my business has grown and I’ve had time to settle into that growth, I’ve started to find my voice—not just in the kitchen, but through writing and sharing more of myself, like in these blog posts. It can be vulnerable to post online, especially as a single mom. Some days it feels like I’m just shouting into the void. But then someone will message me, or stop me at the JCC to say thank you for sharing something that resonated. And it reminds me: people are listening. That connection, even through words, means so much.

Birthdays always bring reflection, and I’ve been thinking a lot about where I started. Growing up on Milwaukee’s west side, attending Anshe Leibovitch and JFCS Nursery School, then MJDS when it was housed inside Emanu-El on the east side. We moved to Glendale, MJDS moved to its current campus—which, full circle, is where I now work. We joined Congregation Beth Israel, and I grew up immersed in Jewish life: weekly Shabbat dinners, synagogue attendance, Jewish education, and watching my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles model community leadership and Jewish values.

Camp Interlaken and BBYO were where I started owning that Jewish identity for myself. I eventually became a BBYO advisor, joined synagogue committees, served on the Sisterhood board, and that led to Kehillah Catering at Beth Israel Ner Tamid—the seed that would grow into Hannah’s Kitchen.

The funny part? I started college as an engineering major. I was good at math and science and wanted to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps. But two weeks in, I was assigned to write a paper called “Why I Want to Be an Engineer,” and I came home and announced, “I don’t want to be an engineer.” My mom—ever the good Jewish mother—immediately sent me to a career counselor. I took a test, rolled my eyes at the results, and forgot about it.

Fast-forward 15 years, sitting at my desk, and that memory came back. What did that test say I should do? Business and religion. I laughed out loud. Somehow, all these years later, I ended up doing exactly that. Life has a funny way of bringing you to your b’sheret—your meant-to-be—whether you plan for it or not.

This work isn’t always easy. Small business ownership in the food world can be exhausting. But I get to feel fulfilled, connected, and creatively challenged in what I do. And that is a gift I don’t take for granted.

So today, as I turn 46, I’m choosing to celebrate the journey, the growth, the grit, and the joy. I’m proud of where I’ve been, excited for where I’m going, and so deeply grateful for everyone who’s been part of the ride.

Here’s to another year of showing up, baking love into everything, and sharing a little more of myself along the way.

– Hannah