Israeli Transplant Embraces the South

When asked, Hagar Sides says Atlanta found her. After visiting five years ago then going back to Israel, she decided she wanted to live in another country. She received the offer from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism in Atlanta, and the rest was history. The 38-year-old has since been interested in exploring the relationship between Israeli and American Jews here in Atlanta and devotes a lot of her free time to facilitating those conversations. We think Hagar is Such a Catch, so we sat down with her to find out more about what she does in her personal life and who she’s looking for.

1. What are you looking for in a partner?

It’s a million-dollar question. I’m looking for my best friend and someone who will be my equal partner. In Hebrew we have a word for someone that will make you feel good and also empower you: firgun. That’s what I’m looking for. Also, a man that smells good is so important.

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2. What do you think or have you been told are your best qualities?

Well it’s not a great quality, but I’m stubborn. Like most Israelis, I’m also straightforward and ambitious. We don’t tolerate beating around the bush. I cut to the chase. I’m honest.

3. How do you spend your spare time?

I have a blog that takes up a lot of my time. I’m a pastry chef in my free time, so I blog about the food I’m eating. I make great bobka. I also enjoy volunteering to work within the Israeli/Atlanta community. Since moving here, I’ve thought a lot about the relationship, the differences, and the similarities between Atlanta and Israeli Jews. I’ve produced a few events that serve as a forum for those discussions. I love Atlanta so much, and I also love to explore. Travel is a huge part of my life. I travel a lot for work, but I also go for fun quite a bit. Mexico and Costa Rica are some of my favorites.

4. What is your guilty pleasure?

Junk food! I shouldn’t say it, and I try not to eat too much, but I can’t help it. I love food that’s bad for me, specifically Cheetos. Drinking wine on my patio is also one of my favorite pleasures in life.

5. What are some things that are most important in your life? Why are they valuable to you?

My independence is everything. I don’t like to be tied down to something that could potentially hold me back. My family is also a major priority for me. My brothers are the most important thing in my life. They’re in Israel though, so friends in Atlanta have become my family. When you’re an immigrant and your family isn’t with you, you try to find friends who feel like family. I’m always looking for people – both friends and in relationships – who have similar values. Dating specifically has in the last five years or so become very superficial. I want to meet people who are straightforward and honest. Let’s just meet for coffee or a drink and see how it goes.

If you’re interested in this catch or want to be featured as a catch yourself, email editor@atljewishtimes.com.