Meet Marina, our Russian Speaking Grandparent Connector
February 24, 2026 | Uncategorized
By Laura Wilson
Meet Marina Vugaftman (second from the left), our Russian-Speaking Grandparents Connector, whose energy, warmth and love of bringing people together make our community feel a little smaller and a lot more connected. From trivia nights to holiday concerts, Marina creates spaces where people feel welcomed, valued and inspired to show up as their full selves.
How did you get connected with The Network?
I started attending events organized by The Network because I love meeting new people. One of my favorite memories is the first Trivia game, “What, Where, and When?” on August 15, 2019. From that moment, I knew I wanted to be more involved and help plan events like that. When I learned The Network was looking for more Connectors, I decided to join in 2023. This is now my third year as a Russian-speaking Connector, and it has been an incredibly meaningful experience. Since joining, I have helped launch the annual trivia game, and this year will be the third one I am helping to organize. Beyond that, I enjoy organizing and introducing people to activities they love, whether it’s bringing someone to a challah-baking event or setting up a painting and crafts workshop. The role of a Connector is to help people feel comfortable, engaged and excited about what they enjoy.
How has The Network impacted you?
The Network has helped me build lasting friendships and feel deeply connected to the Jewish community. It has given me a sense of belonging and the chance to meet people from different backgrounds who share similar values. Being a Connector has also helped me grow personally, improve my communication skills, and become more confident in bringing people together.
What advice would you give to someone new to this community?
Be open and say yes to invitations to meet people and attend events. Don’t be afraid to start conversations or come to events on your own—you will always find welcoming and friendly people. Life gets very busy, and it’s easy to fall into the routine of just going to work and staying home. But getting involved in community events is a way to make life richer, more interesting, and more meaningful. The more you participate, the more rewarding your experience will be.
Favorite Jewish song, book, or holiday?
One of my favorite holidays is Hanukkah. I love the atmosphere, the traditions, lighting the candles and spending time with family and friends. I also love Hanukkah because every year since 2018, I have organized a concert for women in the Russian Jewish community. Performing on stage has always brought me joy, and these concerts give me the opportunity to do what I love while helping other women discover and share their hidden talents.
What else should people know about you?
I love connecting people, creating warm and welcoming spaces, and helping others feel included. I also enjoy learning about different cultures, traveling to new countries, attending women’s getaways and conferences and spending time with my two grandbabies.
Any favorite holiday memories or traditions?
I especially enjoy annual Rosh Hashanah dinners, Sukkot parties and Passover seders. Most of all, I love creating new traditions while keeping the old ones alive.