Joan was born in Boston, Mass. and raised in Connecticut. As a registered nurse she worked at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. Joan made Aliyah in 1969 with her "Sabra" husband, 2 daughters & son. Joan changed careers and received a degree in textile studies at the Boston University Progam in Artisanry along with art history studies at Tel Aviv University. Along the way she worked in a textile studio in Israel, freelanced her own designs and co-managed a Tel Aviv Art Gallery. Joan has 5 grandchildren (2 grandaughters & 3 grandsons) and 2 daughters who are currently studying, working and living in Israel. Her son resides and works in Manhattan. Joan loves Israel and is currently experincing and enjoying this new later stage of life.