While Andy’s family has called Temple Beth Sholom their spiritual home for generations, for Tatsiana—who was born in the Former Soviet Union—her introduction to Judaism was through Andy. Their story is a celebration of interconnectedness that defines our community.
Andy was born in Miami Beach, and although his family moved to Coral Gables, his grandparents lived in Indian Creek, so Andy and his parents continued to attend Temple Beth Sholom. “My paternal grandfather Sidney’s funeral was at Temple Beth Sholom when I was eight years old,” said Andy. “And I remember being at Temple Beth Sholom when the Yom Kippur War broke out in 1973, when I was ten.” For Andy, the importance of family, education and health was instilled in him by his parents. “Growing up, my father was a role model for me in business, and my mother was an inspiration on the creative side, as the founder of Miami City Ballet.” Andy is now the third generation in his family’s business.
Tatsiana’s story also begins generations ago—her paternal great grandfather was a leader in the Russian Orthodox Church. When the religious were persecuted, he fled the country to the former Czechoslovakia, leaving his family behind. The Communist regime destroyed churches, synagogues and mosques, converting them to offices.“In the Former Soviet Union at that time, you had to declare your heritage, so my grandmother said that she didn’t know her father’s identity,” said Tatsiana. “When my great grandfather died, the government intercepted his will in the mail, and arrested my grandmother for treason since she hid that her father was a religious figure.” The impact of the religious persecution and imprisonment left an indelible mark, and it took years for Tatsiana’s grandmother to re-establish herself, even after the Soviet Union split.
Tatsiana’s first Jewish holiday was with Andy’s family at his mother’s house. “When we started having the children, I specifically picked Temple Beth Sholom because, after many Jewish holidays with Andy’s family, I wanted to learn more. So, I learned alongside my children attending Tot Shabbat, services, and all of the holidays. They attended early childhood and elementary education at TBS. Now I can sing in Hebrew.”
Giving back to the community and Temple Beth Sholom is something that comes naturally to Andy. He’s served on the Board of Ransom Everglades School, his alma mater, and is also trustee emeritus of the United Way of Miami—the third generation of his family to be leaders in the community nonprofit. And through the Ansin Foundation, the family supports the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and many other South Florida charitable organizations.
“It’s important to support Temple Beth Sholom for all that it has done for our family over the many decades,” said Andy. “It feels good to give back because of all the good deeds that the Temple does in our community and we appreciate its welcoming nature.”
“I want to be remembered by future generations as a good father and family man, and steward of our family business, said Andy. “We raise our children Jewishly, and our family has Shabbat dinner together every Friday night,” said Tatsiana.“My hope is that they will continue these traditions with the next generation of Ansins.”
For more information on the Youth Campaign, visit tbsmb.org/youthcampaign
Contact: Director of Advancement Katy Boyask at katy@tbsmb.org or 786.406.1375