Hi Sandra! Hi Galit! Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
Sandra: I grew up in New York and moved to Israel after my freshman year in college, where I met my future husband, Ronen. After living for 20+ years in Tenafly, where we raised our two children, we recently moved to Englewood Cliffs.
Galit: I was born in Israel and moved to New York approximately 25 years ago before deciding to raise my family in Tenafly. My husband, Yoav, and I have been in Tenafly for nearly two decades with our three children.
We have both been Bergen County residents for more than 20 years. Galit currently lives in Tenafly and Sandra recently moved to Englewood Cliffs after 20 years in Tenafly.
How old are your kids?
Galit: I have three children. My oldest, Itamar (23), just graduated from Tufts University, my middle daughter, Shira (21) is a junior at Cornell and my youngest, Ori (16) is a senior at Tenafly High School.
Sandra: I have two children. My oldest, Danielle (25), is pursuing her Ph.D at The New School and my youngest, Jordan (19), is a sophomore at Penn State.
What is your favorite thing to do with them?
For both of us, traveling with our families is one of our true passions. Both enjoy learning other languages, immersing themselves in other cultures and spending quality family time discovering new places and experiences together.
Galit: I am proud to have passed down my love of art and literature to my children – often making sure museum tours are a staple in every city we visit.
Sandra: My creativity manifested itself in different ways in my children – with my youngest’s interest in engineering and 3-D printing and my older daughter’s focus on research and writing.
Are you involved in a business venture? Please share!
We founded The Muse ArtHouse earlier this year. The Muse ArtHouse is an art studio, gallery and creative gym. It aims to serve as a much-needed artistic and creative outlet for the local community, welcoming residents of Bergen and Rockland counties to engage in a variety of artistic experiences. The Muse ArtHouse is quite unlike traditional art studios. It offers a flexible and inclusive approach to creativity, with an extensive range of classes, including painting, drawing, clay, resin, and mixed media as well as trending workshops for resin charcuterie boards, trays, tables and mezuzah covers, sneakers customization, candle-making, figure drawing and seasonal workshops. The studio also offers vacation art camps during school breaks for teens and youths and a drop-in option to come in anytime to choose from eight different art experiences.
Why is this so important? What sets you apart?
Galit: Our vision is to make art and creativity accessible to everyone, not just those who consider themselves artists. Art is not just about talent—it’s about self-expression, relaxation, and connection. We want to create a space where people can let go of their daily stresses and engage in something truly fulfilling. We believe that making art should be a lifelong practice—something that brings joy, fuels inspiration, and enhances overall wellness.
Sandra: We wanted The Muse ArtHouse to be a place you would come back to again and again – each time for a different art experience. Most studios only offer what’s typically a one-and-done experience. We wanted our participants to try new types of art and craft mediums each time they come as well as master skills in long-format courses with expert instruction. Creativity is a critical part of our mental, emotional and physical health. It’s something we should be practicing on a regular basis just like eating well, sleeping well and exercising.
If you could give one tip to fellow moms, what would it be?
You can’t pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself, your body, your needs, your passions, your dreams – in order to help anyone else. Being the best mother you can be also means setting an example for your children in your life, your home and your career. You need, and you deserve, to feel fulfilled and joyful in your own right and not just through your role as a mother.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Sandra: I had my own marketing and PR company in the tech industry for more than two decades before this dramatic career pivot. Although I always had a passion for art and creative pursuits, my younger self didn’t see it as a viable career path at the time.
Galit: I have been a professional artist for my entire adult life. That is, right after I graduated from business school with an MBA. For me, creativity was my first calling.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Our family, friends and community have been incredibly supportive on this journey. So many people have come out to support us by taking a class, booking an event, sharing our story, recommending us online, giving us guidance – it’s a very long list. It truly takes a village. And starting a business in your 50s takes some extra drive, energy, resiliency and an ounce or two of crazy. Having a partner that you can rely on and fully trust that also inspires you and motivates you is an absolute gift. We are both truly grateful.
To learn more about The Muse ArtHouse visit their Website and follow them on Instagram.