One of my favourite memories goes all the way back to my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Rosenberg. Our relationship was very special! She often reminded me how she admired my “red” hair as she was a redhead herself and she loved my freckles. As years went by, anytime I would see Mrs. Rosenberg at a function in our community she reminded me that I was and would always remain special to her. Each visit consisted of hugs as well. I also recall enjoying Mike and Lisa’s meals in the lunchroom. My most favorite was the crunchy mac n’ cheese. I always looked forward to singing the pre and post lunch prayers in Hebrew.
Throughout my elementary years at TT, I grew to love learning the Hebrew language. Any chance that I had to practice amongst teachers, family and Jewish holidays (such as reading from the Haggadah at Pesach) was fulfilling for me. I found the language to be beautiful, and took a strong liking to songs and prayers at TT and onward. I enjoyed the Jewish traditions that I learned at school, through my parents, grandparents, great grandparents and family.
My grades were better in Hebrew and French compared to the English subjects. Upon graduating from grade 6, I felt very comfortable to read, write, understand and converse in the two languages outside of English. I kept in touch with my French teacher Mr. Bigras even up until recently. Following grade 6, I went to Crestwood Elementary Jr. High for grades 7 & 8 then onto Parkview Elementary Jr. High for grade 9. Upon graduating I went to Ross Sheppard Composite High School and graduated in 1977.
Throughout high school I worked part time at my Dad’s ladies wear store Burdines to gain work experience. Sadly, after graduating, it seemed most of my Jewish friends went onto other cities and my relationships with friends changed. Over the years we have had a few school reunions which brought us back together where we enjoyed the opportunity to catch up!
After grade 12, I got involved with a few employment agencies and did clerical work in various office settings. I enjoyed working with these agencies and thought that I could become a “headhunter” helping people to find jobs. I gave this a try for a few years and enjoyed it very much. The recession in the early ’80s caused many agencies to close and I needed to figure out my next career move.
An opportunity came up for me to try an aerobic class in the fall of 1980 and I enjoyed it immensely (as I have a dance background) and decided to get certified and become an instructor. I worked for the City of Edmonton Parks & Recreation, YMCA, various fitness centres, and for both Edmonton separate and public school boards. I opened several downtown fitness classes at noon and after hours for employees in buildings, and with the CNIB, just to name a few. With my dance background this was a great fit and led to a career as an instructor teaching various classes, personal training and nutrition consulting.
As part of my fitness career, I worked in Lake Louise as a program director for a health and lifestyle retreat for women for 4 years. An awesome and memorable experience! Currently, I have a home based fitness studio where clients come for personal training. I also specialize in programs for older adults with emphasis on slowing down degeneration and focusing on mobility and functional movements to improve quality of life. I continue to be passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with their health and fitness needs.
My personal life is a bit of a LOVE story! My mom would always ask me to make a wish prior to cutting my birthday cakes. From the time I was 15 years old, one of my annual wishes was to one day share my life with my soulmate and first love, Don Charnaw. We dated for 7.5 years, apart for 15, then reunited at a family Bar Mitzvah. For 8 months during the period of time when Don was winding down in B.C. to make his move back, we spoke daily and wrote love letters daily/weekly. We called them our weekly “logs” where we shared what we did everyday and our thoughts of each other to keep us going until THE BIG DAY! These were mailed weekly and we still have them. I felt like I was the luckiest girl when he told me that he wanted to move back to Edmonton to share his life with me.
We are blessed to remain healthy, to travel when possible as we continue to have active careers, enjoy the outdoors and share time with friends and family. Each day is truly special that we get to wake up and go to bed beside each other!
Interested in connecting with Karen or Don? Email Natalie Soroka today!
