You might be nervous when you start something new. Don’t let those fears stop you. Listen to these three interesting Jewish personalities describe their ‘firsts’ and you’ll see that beginnings present great opportunities.

Ronna Simon
As a child, Ronna Simon developed a love of the outdoors while at summer camp in Michigan. She has pursued that passion in her career. Ronna works as a water resource manager in the Lolo National Forest in Missoula, Montana. She also restores lands that have been damaged by human carelessness or natural causes.

“My first Forest Service job was in a forest where ancient trees were being logged to make wood and paper. I watched my first tree come down and thought, ‘That tree was standing before Columbus!’ At that moment, I realized that I would have to balance different values in order to do my job.”

Visions
Since 1997, Andra London, Talia Osteen, and Amy Turner, teenage friends from Orlando, Florida, have been singing inspirational Jewish songs at concerts across the U.S.A. Their music ranges from upbeat dance songs to acoustic pop and power ballads.

“The first time we performed together in front of a large audience, my heart was beating rapidly in my chest and I was afraid people could tell I was nervous. Yet as soon as the music started and we began singing, everything was just right and it felt so natural. Seeing the smiles grow across everyone’s faces while they listened to us sing and felt our music was amazing.” (Talia)

Bruce Feiler
Bruce Feiler writes about interesting things he has done during his lifetime. He’s written about being a clown in a circus and a teacher in Japan. His newest book, Walking the Bible, describes a two-year, 10,000-mile trek he made visiting the places mentioned in the Torah.

“When I began this trip, I was sort of a know-it-all. I remember meeting Avner, the archaeologist who came with me on the trip. I was wearing brand new Banana Republic clothes and hiking boots, and I had enough sun block for 40 years in the desert. Avner was wearing comfortable Bedouin trousers, worn sandals, and his hair was squiggling everywhere. That’s when I realized that all my learning was in my head; all his in his feet.”