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Name: Randi L. Fishman

Occupation: Teacher of Earth Science at Intermediate School 75 in Staten Island

Address: Monroe Township

Family: Married 25 years on Sept. 16 to Brian Keith Fishman a computer programmer in the brokerage industry. Two sons: Jordan Marcy Fishman is a high school student and Jared Maxwell Fishman, 22, is a recent graduate of Syracuse University now looking for a position in radio broadcasting. Sister Phyllis Lazar is a speech pathologist married to Ron Frank, an independent film producer for his own company Frank Productions. They live in Sherman Oaks, Calif. and have two children: Josh, 18 and Danielle, 15. A brother, Lawrence G. Lazar, is a podiatrist who is divorced and lives in Rockville, Md. He has two sons: Jason 12, and Aaron, 9.

Community activities: Second year of being president of Congregation Etz Chaim Monroe Township Jewish Center, celebrating its 30th year. Trustee for six years at Etz Chaim, as fundraiser for Etz Chaim, where she started a Purim Mishloach Manot program called Esther's Esteemed Entourage.

Hobbies: "Cooking, baking, taking photographs, and traveling with my husband."

Self-portrait: "I am a great nurturer and caregiver. I believe strongly in Karma -- what you put out there comes back to you."

Motto: "Money is not the root of all evil; politics is."

Greatest accomplishment: "Being able to stay in the New York Department of Education for 23 years."

Bad habits: "Not as organized with my house as I should be."

Favorite TV programs: "Food Network and Home and Garden TV. I love 'Medium,' and 'Mentalist,' all the 'CSI' and 'Law and Order'. We loved 'Boston Legal'."

Favorite food: "I like to eat out at different ethnic cuisines -- Vietnamese and Indian, Thai."

Best childhood memory: "Since I was 14 when a friend played their record I became an instant fan of the Grateful Dead. Even though Jerry Garcia died in 1995, they still play and I still go. They just finished a major tour and I attended their performance in April at the IZOD Center."

People don't know that I... "had my own radio show where, I played country and western music. It was the Grateful Dead, based on their musical roots that gave me the confidence to be able to be put on that program. Many don't know that I am a thyroid cancer survivor for 23 years."

Last book I read: "Girls Like Us" by Sheila Weiler. "It's about the lives of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon, about their music and how their lives became intertwined through James Taylor. It's a wonderful book."

Biggest asset in the local Jewish Community: "Twofold. I have a wonderful rabbi who is dedicated to his work, his community, and temple, and there are a handful of people who are there for me and very dedicated and they are wonderful."

Biggest problem in the local Jewish community: "Fundraising and getting the right types of activities. It's money. It's a hardship."

If I had more time I would... "go to the French Culinary Institute or another culinary school."