Born in Berkeley, California, Rochel Stoklasa spent her formative years in Baltimore, MD. She moved to Brooklyn, NY, immediately after marriage, where she tried to learn as much as she could from the overwhelmingly busy city while obtaining a BA in psychology and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Twelve years later, she and her family took the leap and made aliyah this past summer of 2019. See her other work on Times of Israel, Nashim Magazine, and Hevria, as well as her blog about travel, aliyah, and other topics: https://livingonup.wordpress.com/