Couldn’t be Jewish in Russia and Couldn’t be Russian in the United States - Ep. 132

2026-02-17

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Welcome to episode 132 of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants Podcast. I am your host, Heidy De La Cruz, and I am on a mission to change the narrative of immigration one immigrant story at a time!Irene Vaksberg shares her powerful journey from immigrating to the United States from the former Soviet Union at just 12 years old to building and rebuilding her life through entrepreneurship, resilience, and purpose-driven work.In this episode, Irene reflects on growing up Jewish in the former Soviet Union, the...

Irene Vaksberg shares her powerful journey from immigrating to the United States from the former Soviet Union at just 12 years old to building and rebuilding her life through entrepreneurship, resilience, and purpose-driven work.

In this episode, Irene reflects on growing up Jewish in the former Soviet Union, the discrimination and persecution her family faced, and the sacrifices her parents made to give their children a better future. She opens up about the cultural shock of arriving in the U.S., learning English, navigating reverse discrimination, and adapting to an entirely new way of life after years of scarcity and restriction.

Irene takes us through her journey from dreaming of becoming a hairdresser to building a successful salon business in Rhode Island, honoring her father’s legacy by putting his name in lights, before later moving to Los Angeles for new opportunities. She also shares how a life-altering car accident led her to discover neurological wearable technology, transforming her pain into a new mission to help others struggling with chronic pain and mental health challenges. Through it all, Irene’s immigrant identity and lived experiences continue to fuel her passion for inspiring others.

With Love, Heidy

Connect with Irene Vaksberg:

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