Alex and Jessica Sukhodolsky
(Moved to Memphis in 2013 )
Where did each of you grow up?
Alex grew up in St. Louis and Jessica grew up in Memphis.
Where did you live as a couple before Memphis?
We lived on the Upper West Side in Manhattan for a year after we got married. Then we lived in Riverdale, NY for three years before we moved to Memphis.
Why did you leave that community?
All of our friends in Riverdale were talking about where they would live next. Riverdale is a transient community. We ultimately wanted to move to a smaller city with a close-knit Jewish community.
What attracted you to Memphis?
We knew that we wanted to get out of New York. Jessica grew up in Memphis and always wanted to raise a family in her hometown. Alex liked the friendly people and laid-back atmosphere.
What clinched your decision to move here?
Each time we visited's Jessica's family in Memphis we were so impressed with the growing number of young families in the community.
What do you do professionally?
Alex is a software developer for Cardinal Health and Jessica is Director of Recruitment and Marketing at Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South.
How old are your children and where do they go to school?
We have 6 year-old twins and they go to the Margolin Hebrew Academy.
What do you like best about Memphis and/or what makes it different or better than other places that you have lived?
We really appreciate that Memphians really look out for one another. Everyone here is always incredibly willing to lend a helping hand. We also love that everything in Memphis is so accessible. We both have very easy commutes and our day-to-day life is never a hassle. People in Memphis value family time, which was much harder to come by when we lived in New York.
How do you manage being far away from family?
Jessica’s family is in Memphis and Alex’s family is in St. Louis and Phoenix. We skype with Alex’s family frequently and it is nice that we are close enough to drive to St. Louis.
Where are your favorite places to go in Memphis with or without your kids?
When we are with our kids we love to go to the Memphis Jewish Community Center. The kids love the fun zone there and we all enjoy eating at the Holy Cow. They wait all year for summer so we can spend our Sundays at the JCC outdoor waterpark! We also love to go to the Children’s Museum, Grizzlies games, Memphis zoo, and Shelby Farms. Without kids, we love to listen to live music at the Levitt Shell or in Overton Square. We also love to see shows at the beautiful Orpheum Theater and movies at any Malco Theater - the popcorn is kosher!