‘Concerned that I lacked the energy to pass the Army’s annual physical fitness test, I still wanted to serve my country, so I went into the state guard.’

Mark Getman, Cedarhurst

“Not many people who served in the Army can say they are also a figure skater, a rabbi, a TV and film actor and a professional photographer. I served nine years in the New York Army National Guard. After being diagnosed in 2014 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and going through chemotherapy, I said to myself, ‘I don’t want to miss any opportunities, because who knows what could happen?’

“Concerned that I lacked the energy to pass the Army’s annual physical fitness test, I still wanted to serve my country, so I went into the state guard. I was made the director of public affairs, which gave me the opportunity to get back into my passion, photography.

“In the National Guard, I’d gone to rabbinical school and been ordained as a rabbi. I currently serve as part-time clergy at a Brooklyn synagogue. While in rabbinical school, I decided to try acting and got a part in a 2010 movie, ‘Freakonomics.’ That got me into the Screen Actors Guild. My credits include playing a rabbi in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and a rabbi in ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’ I play parts that I can relate to, such as a veteran, and, because I have a big telephoto lens, a paparazzi on ‘Succession.’

I’m in remission and go back every six months for blood work.

“Last year, I got back into figure skating, which I did growing up in Long Beach until I was 17. I work as a part-time rink guard at the Long Beach ice arena, the same rink where I learned to skate. I’ve done about eight shows as an adult figure skater at rinks throughout Long Island. Often, I get the loudest applause because I’m the only adult guy out there doing jumps and spins.

“I’m in remission and go back every six months for blood work. Recently my doctor noticed that I’d lost 10 pounds. She checked my lymph nodes and asked what I’ve been doing that’s changed. I showed her videos of me exercising on skates. I’m also a security guard at a yeshiva, which I enjoy because my father was a Holocaust survivor who fought for Israeli independence. My father never gave up hope, and as a survivor myself, I feel the same.”

Interviewed by Jim Merritt