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Meet Your Neighbor: Rebekkah Bodoff
By Callie Thomas
It has been said that with faith, there are no questions; without it, there are no answers. That’s the message according to the Chofetz Chaim, a book on the Jewish laws of speech written by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan. However, it seems that the questions have been answered for 89123 resident Rebekkah Bodoff, who has enough faith and confidence in her abilities to make a difference and lend her “voice” on behalf of those that cannot speak for themselves.
Currently completing her last year of law school, Bodoff has had the opportunity to extern for the Honorable Gloria J. Sturman while also serving as an Educational Surrogate Parent Advocate through the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Each day, Rebekkah finds an opportunity to share her faith, passion and commitment to fight for the rights of others in the community, ensuring that legal services are accessible to all and that children with disabilities are able to gain the appropriate special education they need to succeed in life.
As an Educational Surrogate Parent Advocate, Rebekkah and other staff members provide advice, training, advocacy and legal representation in the area of special education, which requires that a parent, relative or surrogate have the opportunity to be involved in the educational process of children with disabilities. Bodoff has a special affinity for helping children who are unable to help themselves, which stems from living through and understanding her own sister’s learning disability and the challenges involved in getting her the services she needed. She has chosen this work in honor of her sister and continues to support the cause with tenacity and love. Rebekkah took some time to share her experiences, her proudest accomplishments and the special bond she shares with children in need throughout the community.
Would you say that fighting for what you believe is a trait that runs in your family?
“If it weren’t for my parents’ commitment to fighting for my sister’s education, she never would have gotten the services she needed. It’s given me a huge incentive to help other students who may be convinced they are failing or not good enough to get the services they need to be successful in school, graduate and become a productive, responsible adult. Foster kids have it hard enough. They deserve to get what they’re constitutionally guaranteed: access to an education that will prepare them for the adult world.”
You seem to have a natural ability with children. We hear you are the “go to” babysitter for your friends.
“When one of my closest friends went into labor, I was asked to watch over her other four children for three days. I had been proud that I could actually do the bath and bedtime routine, but I learned that the true accomplishment was to get them up, dressed and ready for school. I was successful at getting three of the kids to school, but only two backpacks made it there!”
You’re passionate about our community. What does giving back mean to you?
“Communities aren’t stagnant; they’re organic wholes that need participation and engagement. Communities bond us and become integral parts of who we are—not just where we live.”
What do you treasure most about living in Las Vegas?
“For me, it’s the day-to-day of Las Vegas. It’s being with friends who make up the community. They’re the families that run the Yeshiva Day School and the Las Vegas Kollel. It’s being in their kitchens, babysitting their kids, seeing the students playing in the park Wednesday afternoons. This is my Las Vegas.”
If you weren’t in your present career path, what other job would you like to do?
“I’m destined to be an advocate. I think I would end up being an advocate anywhere, anyhow.”
