by Yona Zeldis McDonough
Yona Zeldis Mcdonough looks at two dancers who are living their dreams
Dena Kinstlinger is an unintentional missionary. As the only shomer Shabbes [Sabbath observant] Jew in the entire New York City Ballet, the 21-year-old dancer often finds herself explaining the meaning of dietary laws and Sabbath observances to Mormons, Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, and even to other, less observant, Jews. “Because they may be unfamiliar with the reasons for what I do, we end up talking about them; there’s this ongoing dialogue about religion and faith when I’m around.”