Laya was raised in a traditional Orthodox home and was destined to become a housewife until her life took an unexpected turn.
After initially studying at Yeshiva University, she began working during the infancy of computers, climbing the industry’s ranks to become one of MasterCharge's first female programmers. Laya went on to found two successful data processing companies serving Fortune 500 clients and was identified by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of Philadelphia’s Top 25 Women Business Owners. She is credited with founding the first club table for women (and business club table) at the Union League of
Philadelphia.
Laya has three grown children and works in the Philadelphia suburbs where she resides with her husband. As two-time president of her local Rotary Club and a Paul Harris fellow, she regularly engages in international community service projects. When not writing, speaking, or spending time with her grandchildren, she travels extensively throughout the world.
Her next project will be the creation of a secular cultural center called, ‘‘Our Cultural Center for Virtue. The Center will be a warm and loving place that accepts and finds value in each person. It will be a space for families and individuals to be embraced by a community and participate in lessons and events, with no religious affiliation. This will build a community of character that endures from generation to generation.
Life should not be an escape from suffering, but rather a quest for joy.
Letter From Laya…
I have lived three different lives, each clearly demarcated by my original, nuclear family’s acceptance or rejection of me based on my marital choices. In many ways, my story is a real-life, modern day variation of Fiddler on the Roof. For those who "stray," if you're not accepted by your family, for whatever reason, or if your family says no, life does go on. You can create your own extended family, as I did. It took years, with long stretches of heartache and loneliness. It was worth it for the loving extended family I now have. Most of all, my children know that whomever they choose as a partner or friend, and whichever path they take in life, our extended family will always be there for them.
The essence of life and of When Your Family Says No is that choices abound. Even if all appears hopeless, choices are available. No matter how long it's been, you still have possibilities. The strong friendships, alliances, and connections that you didn't have in one setting, you can create in the next setting. As long as you're alive and positive, chances come your way.
You can create a family who says yes.
