Yaira was studying to be a Unitarian Universalist minister when she took a class at seminary about Judaism and felt like she was coming home. She converted, became an active member and teacher at Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin, raised her two kids there, and even went so far as to complete a year of rabbinical studies. Now her kids are grown and she serves her local community by working for county government. She cares a lot about climate change, racial justice, and good tacos.