This is the story of my family’s journey through Russia, the Soviet regime and escape into the New World. In 2019, I became a member of the honorable writing organization, Society of American Travel Writers or SATW. These are a group of accomplished and talented travel writers and I am humbled to get to hang out with them. At my first convention in El Paso of the same year I joined, in October, a colleague and friend, Chez Chesak, asked me to participate in a new storytelling event he was producing called ReVerbs. Even though I was super anxious about the whole experience, I couldn’t say no. I knew I had to tell my dad’s story as it was a week before the third year he would be gone from my life.
I wonder if you’ve ever had to power through some feelings on a stage. Do you have a family story you want your kids to remember? These are the moments that define our lives.
Rina Baraz Nehdar is a multi-award-winning journalist and photographer. Rina's background is in television and radio news. She is editor and founder of www.LAFamilyTravel.com which helps Los Angeles area families plan their best trips with kids. Rina's writing focuses on family adventure travel, eco-travel, and luxury travel. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Parents, L.A. Parent, Global Traveler Magazine and more. As a family travel expert, she has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Spectrum News and podcasts. She is an active member of SATW and NATJA.