Meet Elena, Sasha, and Nina

Elena Naydinskaya and daughters Sasha (almost 13) and Nina (9) moved to Solon Ohio from
Moscow in 2016.  Elena's background is Jewish (on her father's side) and Russian Orthodox, but she decided after moving that Orthodox services would not be easy for the girls to understand or enjoy (they are held in Russian - old Russian; everyone stands; etc).  Advent is happy to have them here!

Originally from Ukraine, after a few years at the local teachers'; institute Elena moved to Moscow to study languages: Russian, English (at Trinity College, Dublin), and French (in Lyons, France).  You might ask her about summers volunteering at the Taize community in France, or about working as an au pair for a French family.  After finishing her university she married and became mother to the girls, but sadly the marriage ended.  By then Elena's parents had emigrated to Cleveland (in 2002) and established themselves, and Elena had visited them 3 times. They encouraged her to emigrate in 2016 after finding that the refugee program would still be applicable.  In fact many members of her immediate and extended family are in the greater Cleveland area, including a married sister and brother.  

Nina attends Lewis Elementary, and Sasha Solon Middle School. Both girls have been enjoying a variety of camps during the summer. 
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Elena is currently studying Occupational Therapy at Tri-C.