Spotlight: Ariella Snyder

This month we feature Ariella Snyder, a local truck mechanic, proud HHNE alum, and West Hartford native who feels a deep sense of connection and pride in her hometown’s vibrant and growing Jewish young adult community.

Urban Dor: Tell us about what you like about the Greater Hartford Jewish community and when did you first hear about Urban Dor? 

Ariella: The Greater Hartford community holds a special place in my heart. It is where I grew up so I feel very comfortable here. My fellow community members feel like family. I have loved watching it grow into a more diverse, active, and vibrant place especially with the founding of young adult organizations like Urban Dor, the Rosh Chodesh women's group, and First Fridays at Beth David Synagogue. I first heard about Urban Dor through my friend Ariel back when it was first started. 

Urban Dor: What do you do professionally? 

Ariella: I work as a truck mechanic. I work at Ballard Mack in West Springfield, MA, fixing Mack, Volvo, and Hino trucks. I am also in the process of obtaining my CDL at Affordable CDL Training School in Colchester, CT, in order to be able to drive all kinds of trucks. 

Urban Dor: You attended New England Jewish Academy in West Hartford, what was it like attending a Jewish high school and how has that experience impacted your adulthood?

Ariella: It was a lot of fun going to what was then the Hebrew High School of New England (HHNE). I also attended the Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford, which later merged with HHNE - to become NEJA. I loved the small class sizes and personal attention of the teachers of both schools. Going to a Jewish high school gave me a foundation of Jewish knowledge, love of Judaism, and perhaps more concretely a good foundation in Hebrew language, which later became very useful when I lived in Israel. 

Urban Dor: We heard you lived in Israel and served in the IDF, what did you like most about living in Israel? 

Ariella: What I loved most about living in Israel was traveling and being around the people. Traveling to and from base was one of my favorite things to do because I could see the beautiful country and see all the people who were also fulfilling the prophecy of “kibbutz galu’yot”-- the “ingathering of the exiles.” I never knew who I would meet or with whom I would strike up a conversation, whether it was just for directions or to get to know the person. Traveling as a soldier I knew it was important to set a good example because I was representing many things as a lone soldier (soldiers who don't have family in Israel to live with). Knowledge of that responsibility gave me a sense of purpose. All in all traveling through Israel inspired me in general and inspired me to be my best self. 

Urban Dor: What do you enjoy doing for fun in West Hartford when not repairing big engines? 

Ariella: When I am not working or at CDL school it is typically Shabbos. On Shabbos I like to read, spend time with my parents and friends (shout out Ariel! :)), and go to shul. I also love going to the First Friday and other Jewish young adult events to connect with new people. I also like to cook.

Urban Dor is a 100% volunteer-led nonprofit organization for Greater Hartford young adult Jews and founded by Simon Lichter - connect with Simon on LinkedIn.

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