#Sylvia Moskovitz

[animalsoffarmsanctuary]

Creating Community:  Sylvia Moskovitz Celebrates All We Can Accomplish When We Put Compassion First!

The Farm Sanctuary family is a collective of compassionate people working to facilitate positive change for farm animals. Staff members, interns, volunteers, and supporters alike — together, we all have the power to make a difference when we choose to align our actions with our values and put compassion first.

Perhaps no one understands this more than Sylvia Moskovitz, Farm Sanctuary’s Chief Development and Communications Officer, who takes pride in the organization’s commitment to meeting — and celebrating — individuals where and as they are. And she embodies this sentiment through her work each and every day.

Sylvia bonds with Jennifer goat at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter. 

Sylvia oversees Farm Sanctuary’s Development and Communications departments. Our Development team raises vital funds to sustain Farm Sanctuary’s lifesaving rescue, education, and advocacy efforts, while our Communications team spreads the word about this work and raises awareness that farm animals are each someone, not something. For Sylvia, Farm Sanctuary life is a true celebration of the power of community — and she is honored to support the Farm Sanctuary family and its members, wherever they are along their personal journeys.

In fact, this sense of community is what attracted Sylvia to Farm Sanctuary in the first place, allowing her to apply her passions and talents in ways that complemented her compassionate values. And this sentiment is something she strives to share with others — to demonstrate how beautiful our lives can become when we live life from the heart.

Sylvia and Maxie share a moment.

Compassion for others has been a through line of Sylvia’s life and work, but her move to Farm Sanctuary in 2014 took her career in a new and incredibly fulfilling direction.

“I was working for Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation at the University of Southern California, and although I was proud of spearheading a project that brought attention to the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and was very proud of the Holocaust Testimony Project that I raised funds for, I was not feeling completely fulfilled,” she recalls. “I began looking at position openings and came across a Director of Development and Communications position for an organization called Farm Sanctuary, and it intrigued me. The idea of thinking about fundraising and communications/marketing together really spoke to me and was something I had done previously. I have found that when the two departments have been separated it often caused a disconnect and major chasm in the organization, so I was very encouraged to see an organization that understood the synergy between the two functions.

“The more I learned about Farm Sanctuary the more I fell in love with the mission. I did a lot of research about Farm Sanctuary — scoured the website; watched videos; and fell in love with Ari, Gus and Roxy, and many of the other residents. 

Gus and Roxy.

“As the reality of my appointment came to fruition and I gave notice to USC, I started amassing photos of Farm Sanctuary residents for my USC colleagues to see. All agreed it was an amazing move, and at my going-away party, I showed the 2014 end-of-year video to explain my decision. I was blessed with a going away party that featured farm animals everywhere. It was a perfect educational moment for my former colleagues!”

Farm Sanctuary’s 2014 end-of-year video. Our rescued residents are a constant source of inspiration for Sylvia.

For many of us, it can be uncomfortable to recognize that the choices we make, from what we eat and wear to the consumer products we purchase, can inadvertently support actions we don’t agree with. Many people, for example, are animal lovers and against cruelty, yet still consume animal products. At Farm Sanctuary, we recognize that everybody starts somewhere — and Sylvia is proud to spearhead initiatives that focus on helping people align their actions with their values to make compassionate choices that are right for them.

And it all starts with you. We each have the power to make a difference, one decision at a time. From sharing compassionate videos to compassionate meals, we can accomplish so much together when we put compassion first.

Sylvia and National Shelter Director Susie Coston with Tracey sheep. 

Sylvia has experienced this firsthand, in both her personal and professional worlds. “I am a much happier person since I started working at Farm Sanctuary,” she explains. “Now that I have gotten to know our residents and have a very personal relationship with many of them, I cannot imagine the atrocities that are done to them in the name of factory farming and am so happy to have made the decision not to eat or wear them. Oversight of Farm Sanctuary’s fundraising and marketing/communications efforts have brought me a peace and fulfillment that I have rarely experienced. I love the work I do, I believe it is bringing about change in the world that is critical, and I feel blessed every day to have been given this opportunity.”

Sylvia tours our New York Shelter with Susie and a few of the amazing members of Farm Sanctuary’s Friends of Hilda Club — named in honor of Hilda sheep, our very first rescued resident.

This inspiring work keeps Sylvia quite busy. “A very typical day involves conference calls from 8 or 9 a.m. until well into the afternoon,” she says. “Overseeing two important Farm Sanctuary departments with 23 direct/indirect staff in locations throughout the United States is often heavily reliant on technology — phone and computer! Farm Sanctuary does an amazing job with a fairly lean staff and I have never worked, despite a 30-year career in non-profit causes, with colleagues who are more dedicated or committed to a cause.”

Sylvia feels privileged to connect with these special “humanimals,” and the incredible animal ambassadors they work on behalf of. Together, this compassionate network is changing hearts and minds about how society views and treats farm animals.

“The days when I wake up and hear that we have rescued one or group of animals are the best!” Sylvia exclaims. “Although I know we are only able to save a handful compared to those who are slaughtered, when we are able to bring these beautiful individuals to safety and sanctuary it absolutely makes my spirit soar.

“I am blessed to live fairly close to the Acton sanctuary and I love nothing more than the occasional reconnection with our residents in Southern California, who are extraordinary. I especially enjoy the individuals who have come within the last two to three years that I have been able to watch come to trust us, survive, and thrive!

Sylvia enjoys a fun day at our Southern California Shelter with her family during the Celebration for the Turkeys, demonstrating that a compassionate life is a happy life! 

“I [also] love my time in Watkins Glen — the expanse of pasture and the number of animals makes my heart sing,” she adds. “It truly shows me what heaven on earth would be like. I adore the work we do as an organization and I am so very proud of the work I do to bring attention to this issue and to these amazing individuals!”

Sylvia and Freckles sheep spend some quality time together at our New York Shelter. 

These visits have also become a beloved family tradition, as Sylvia enjoys nothing more than sharing the power of compassion with her children and grandchildren. 

Sylvia and her daughter Jessica bond with Tracey and Francis sheep. 

“My family and I are very close!” she beams. “I have two amazing millennial kids and I have three gorgeous and enchanting granddaughters (who love Grammy’s farm). My daughter went vegetarian after she attended the 2015 Gala and visited the sanctuary in Watkins Glen. She is a trained chef and we love nothing more than finding new vegan restaurants and cooking vegan together. It has definitely drawn us together.”

Living compassionately is a family affair! Sylvia’s daughter Jessica bonds with Tracey’s daughter Louise.

But as Sylvia has also learned, togetherness can also be found through our differences as we find common ground. While we may not always see eye to eye with one another, we can respect the unique views and beliefs that we all contribute. And in this way, we may foster compassionate conversations and actions to support a kinder world.

“It can be difficult for many of us who still live in ‘blended’ families to deal with the diet issue on a regular basis,” Sylvia says. “I have a son who is still an omnivore and we often engage in discourse around these issues. My granddaughters often sleep over at Grammy’s house — although they eat meat at home, at my house they eat Gardein chicken tenders, drink almond milk, and eat lots of fruits and vegetables — they even get Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free ice cream as a treat!”

Sylvia’s granddaughter Olivia bonds with Li Mu Bai rooster.

Sylvia’s granddaughter Addison pets Maria goat.

Addison and Prince goat share a sweet moment.

In Sylvia’s experience, we are all valuable members of a compassionate community. And we can all strive to make the best choices we can each day — for ourselves and for those around us.

In getting to know our rescued residents, Sylvia has been able to witness firsthand that each and every farm animal is an individual with a unique personality. And when we get to know and value them for who they are, our own lives may be enriched in ways we never thought possible.  

Andy turkey.

“Believe it or not, one of my favorite animals is Andy turkey in Acton, who can be a bit of a curmudgeon,” Sylvia laughs. “The first time I met him, he bit me on the wrist and on my behind. What Andy taught me is that animals are individuals, just like people — some are nice and some aren’t. The bottom line is that they have individual personalities and exhibit individual behaviors and emotions. 

Sylvia bonds with Tracey sheep. 

“I love the sheep and can see the soul in their eyes,” Sylvia adds, on a lighter note. “There is nothing more calming and soothing than sitting among them in the sheep barn at Watkins Glen. 

Ari was born at an auction for so-called “spent” dairy cows and never got the chance to know his mother, but he lives happily with his adoptive family, including best pal Nik, at our New York Shelter.

“Perhaps my favorites are the dairy boys — Ari in Watkins Glen and Safran in Acton, who are the gentle giants whose beautiful soulful eyes are a window to the depth of their being. I love walking among the herd in Watkins Glen, feeling their spirt and strength, and experiencing their emotions and playful nature. The key in all of this is that every animal I have met is unique with likes and dislikes, family and friend connections, and emotional highs and lows — that has made me realize how important it is to see them as the individuals they really are.” 

Safran, like Ari, was rescued as a newborn. In the dairy industry, males are seen as having very little worth — and treated as such. But at Farm Sanctuary, Safran is loving life and seen as the special individual he is!

In truth, Sylvia’s position is all about synergy — not only among departments, but in facilitating and sustaining compassionate communities both within and outside of Farm Sanctuary at large. And in all of these areas, she offers a powerful demonstration of how to support one another along our own journeys and celebrate our collective power to make a difference. 

“I count my blessings every day that I have been given the opportunity to work for an organization that is making a profound difference in the lives of these remarkable animals,” Sylvia says. And we are so thankful for her strong, dedicated, and compassionate leadership as we work together to build a kinder world.

Sylvia and the late Thunder steer — a gentle giant and incredible ambassador for his species.

[intimatum]

intertextuality

desire / eating disorder / hunger: «to be the girl who lunges at people−wants to eat them» (letissier) / «a way to take all hungers and boil them down to their essence–one appetite to manage–just one» (knapp)

trauma / trauma theory / visceralities of trauma

writers

ada limón, adrienne rich, agnès varda, alana massey, alejandra pizarnik, alice notley, ana božičević, anaïs nin, andrea dworkin, andrew solomon, angela carter, angélica freitas, angélica liddell, ann cvetkovich, anna akhmatova, anna gien, anne boyer, anne carson, anne sexton, anne waldman, antonella anedda, aracelis girmay, ariana reines, audre lorde, aurora linnea

barbara ehrenreich, bell hooks, bessel van der kolk

carmen maria machado, caroline knapp, carrie lorig, cat marnell, catharine mackinnon, catherynne m. valente, cathy caruth, césar vallejo, chris kraus, christa wolf, clarice lispector, claudia rankine, czesław miłosz

daniel borzutzky, daphne du maurier, daphne gottlieb, david foster wallace, david wojnarowicz, dawn lundy martin, deirdre english, denise levertov, detlev claussen, dodie bellamy, don paterson, donna tartt, dora gabe, dorothea lasky, durs grünbein

édouard levé, eike geisel, eileen myles, elaine kahn, elena ferrante, elisabeth rank, elyn r. saks, emily dickinson, erica jong, esther perel, etty hillesum, eve kosofsky sedgwick

fanny howe, félix guattari, fernando pessoa, fiona duncan, frank bidart, franz kafka

gabriele schwab, gail dines, georg büchner, georges bataille, gertrude stein, gilles deleuze, gillian flynn, gretchen felker-martin

hannah arendt, hannah black, heather christle, heather o'neill, heiner müller, hélène cixous, héloïse letissier, henryk m. broder, herbert hindringer, herbert marcuse

ingeborg bachmann, iris murdoch

jacques derrida, jacques lacan, jade sharma, jamaica kincaid, jean améry, jean baudrillard, jean rhys, jeanann verlee, jeanette winterson, jenny slatman, jenny zhang, jerold j. kreisman, jess zimmerman, jia tolentino, joachim bruhn, joan didion, joanna russ, joanna walsh, johanna hedva, john berger, jörg fauser, joy harjo, joyce carol oates, judith butler, judith herman, julia kristeva, june jordan, junot díaz

karen barad, kate zambreno, katherine mansfield, kathrin weßling, kathy acker, katy waldman, kay redfield jamison, kim addonizio

lacy m. johnson, larissa pham, lauren berlant, le comité invisible, leslie jamison, lidia yuknavitch, linda gregg, lisa diedrich, louise glück, luce irigaray, lynn melnick

maggie nelson, margaret atwood, marguerite duras, marie howe, marina tsvetaeva, mark fisher, martha gellhorn, mary karr, mary oliver, mary ruefle, marya hornbacher, max horkheimer, melissa broder, michael ondaatje, michel foucault, miranda july, miya tokumitsu, monique wittig, muriel rukeyser

naomi wolf, natalie eilbert, natasha lennard, nelly arcan

ocean vuong, olivia laing, ottessa moshfegh

paisley rekdal, patricia lockwood, paul b. preciado, paul celan, peggy phelan

rachel aviv, rainald goetz, rainer maria rilke, rebecca solnit, richard moskovitz, richard siken, robert jensen, roland barthes, ronald d. laing

sady doyle, sally rooney, salma deera, samuel beckett, samuel salzborn, sandra cisneros, sara ahmed, sara sutterlin, sarah kane, sarah manguso, scherezade siobhan, sean bonney, sheila jeffreys, shoshana felman, shulamith firestone, sibylle berg, silvia federici, simone de beauvoir, simone weil, siri hustvedt, solmaz sharif, sophinette becker, soraya chemaly, stephan grigat, susan bordo, susan sontag, suzanne scanlon, sylvia plath

theodor w. adorno, thomas brasch, tiqqun, toni morrison

ursula k. le guin

valerie solanas, virginia l. blum, virginia woolf, virginie despentes

walter benjamin, wisława szymborska, wolfgang herrndorf, wolfgang pohrt

zadie smith, zan romanoff, zoë lianne, zora neale hurston

[murfreesboronews]

Nineteen MTSU seniors awaiting graduation were commissioned as U.S. Army second lieutenants Friday (May 3) during a formal ceremony in the Veterans Memorial outside the Tom H. Jackson Building.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jimmie L. Cole Jr., land component commander for the Tennessee Army National Guard, provided remarks, welcoming the new commissionees into the next chapter of their military careers.

The ceremony is a tradition for the ROTC program, which has seen the student cadets prepare for service to their country.

Those commissioned as second lieutenants included:

Courteney Anderson, a criminal justice major from Jasper, Tennessee.

Tyler Bailer, a mechatronics engineering major from Woodbury, Tennessee.

Kristian Bellew, an aerospace major from Atoka, Tennessee.

Terrah Black, a speech/language pathology major from Clarksville, Tennessee.

Winston Bogle, a criminal justice major from Nolensville, Tennessee.

Tyler Braun, an exercise science major from Shelbyville, Tennessee.

Amber Cetinel, a journalism major from Murfreesboro.

Hunter Coppinger, an aerospace major from McMinnville, Tennessee.

Jacob Cunningham, a finance major from Franklin, Tennessee.

Travis Drawdy, an aerospace major from Shelbyville.

Jason Gurch, an engineering technology major from Murfreesboro.

Antonio Hiles, a criminal justice major from Shelbyville.

Chris Hilton, a criminal justice major from Nashville, Tennessee.

Sydney Moskovitz, an accounting major from Murfreesboro.

Matthew Murphy, an interdisciplinary studies major from Nashville.

Tyler Newman, a geoscience major from Coldwater, Mississippi.

Devin Pope, a political science major from Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Aaron Smith, a management major from Smyrna, Georgia.

Seth Whitehead, a journalism major from Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Cole’s message to the newly commissioned second lieutenants was about “basic leadership and to master the basics and to focus on their time as a platoon leader,” he said.

“They need to make sure they incorporate and empower their noncommissioned officers that’ll be their counterparts, make sure they take care of their soldiers, take prudent risks and be accountable,” Cole added. “I want to thank them for their selfless service and their sacrifices they are making for our state and nation.”

Lt. Col. Carrick McCarthy oversaw the ceremony as the leader of the Department of Military Science and introduced Cole.

“This is a phenomenal group that’s highly talented,” McCarthy said. “This is the first group I’ve seen all the way through (a full year). It’s equal parts National Guard, Army Reserves and active duty. Each component of the Army is going to receive quality individuals.”

McCarthy said to his knowledge Gurch is the first active-duty commissionee from MTSU who will be going into the Army’s cyber branch “countering cyber threats from some of our adversaries.”

McCarthy added the ROTC program remains excited that Cetinel recently received the Pallas Athene Award for being one of the top two female cadets in the U.S.

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MTSU commissions 19 as U.S. Army second lieutenants Nineteen MTSU seniors awaiting graduation were commissioned as U.S. Army second lieutenants Friday (May 3) during a formal ceremony in the Veterans Memorial outside the Tom H.