‘It gives me pleasure to know that I can turn a story into something bigger than what it is on the page.’

Elyssa Rabinowitz, Halesite

“I never had any idea that I’d end up in the arts or production. I loved entertainment, but I didn’t know you could make a career out of it. After I graduated from college with a degree in psychology, my friend asked if I’d help him put on a reading of his play when it was accepted into a festival. I said, ‘Why not?’ When he was later asked to put on a full production, I got my first taste of producing. I had no idea what I was doing, but I learned as I went. The play was a huge hit. I started a production company as a passion project. I wasn’t thinking about doing it for a career.

“Later, I met a filmmaker who became my producing partner. He said, ‘I’m working on a film, would you be interested in producing it?’ I learned as I went, and decided I needed to produce as a career. We changed my production company to Without a Net Productions because both of us jump feet first and hopefully land on our feet! We’ve been producing film and theater for 12 years now. I enjoy the collaboration and taking somebody’s vision and bringing it to life. It gives me pleasure to know that I can turn a story into something bigger than what it is on the page. I love being able to open people’s eyes through art.

“A few years ago, I was introduced to Michael Ricigliano; he was writing the script for a play called ‘Godless.’ I was so enamored with it and had the idea of turning the play into a movie because it’s something the whole world needs to see. We shot it in Huntington and Great Neck. It was a wonderful experience because I was able to be in the neighborhood where I grew up. ‘Godless’ is about a female politician who is vying for the presidency, and the struggle with her internal faith and her political aspirations. The story can open a conversation about how we can find common ground. I’ve grown a lot since starting out. I’ve learned there’s a lot of power in my opinions. ‘Godless’ is the first movie on which we’ve been lead producers.

Interviewed by Iris Wiener

‘We work the land and take accountability for it, and seeing the results of all that hard work come to fruition is a wonderful feeling.’

Halesite

“I got interested in farming several years ago when I was in Vermont on the property of a couple who grew their own food and kept animals like sheep, cows and chickens. I got really into gardening during my time there.

“When I came back to Long Island, I got a job at Youngs Farm in Old Brookville. I now work at the Elija Farm in Huntington, which is associated with the Elija School in Levittown.

“Our mission includes educating neurodiverse people, such as those with autism, about farming, and we have classes for both adults and children. I love watching people learn and seeing their delighted reactions when they complete a task that they didn’t think they could, like operating a walk-behind tractor.

“At Elija Farm, we grow our own vegetables and, although we are not certified organic, we follow OMRI [Organic Materials Review Institute] principles and standards. We want to foster a healthy ecosystem to produce healthier plants and richer soil in which the most nutritious vegetables can grow, and those are also the kinds of foods that are the healthiest for people to eat.

I really love watching the landscape change over the course of the seasons and years.

“We just secured a beautiful greenhouse through a generous donation, and we want to start branching out into growing plants, flowers and vegetables that can be sold to visitors. We also want to open up more farming, baking and art classes to the general public.

“We want to raise awareness about the existence of the farm and bring more people here on a daily basis and encourage people to buy local produce.

“It’s wonderful to be able to shake the hand of the person who grew the food that you eat. Right now, the Elija Farm is home to five chickens, and I am currently raising six chicks to add to the flock. Our chickens have a beautiful henhouse that even includes a swing; eventually, we would like to have ducks and goats, too.

“I really love watching the landscape change over the course of the seasons and years. We work the land and take accountability for it, and seeing the results of all that hard work come to fruition is a wonderful feeling.”

Interviewed by Meagan Meehan