After high school, Karlin earned a degree in dance and business administration at James Madison University in Virginia. She then worked as a professional dancer on a cruise ship for two years before training as a fitness coach.
She settled in New York, later moved to Miami and by 29 landed in Los Angeles. During this time, she joined another Israel trip, enjoying it so much that she became a group leader and guided four trips, forming friendships with Israelis.
Last winter, massive wildfires approached her Los Angeles apartment, forcing her to pack essentials. Noticing her suitcase held mostly family photos, she realized experiences mattered more than possessions. “Maybe I should follow my heart and move to Israel?” she thought.
“When I boarded the plane, I burst into tears from excitement. It’s hard to leave everything you know,” she said. On June 12, she landed in Israel, moved into a rented apartment in Jaffa and dined at the Flea Market with a friend. She planned to attend Tel Aviv’s Pride Parade and a party that weekend but, exhausted, opted to rest early.
For days, she ran six minutes to a nearby shelter during alerts. “Thankfully, I’m an athlete,” she said. After five sleepless nights, she moved to a hotel, finding safety and community in its shelter during sirens.
One evening at the beach, she saw someone playing guitar as others sang, struck by Israelis’ resilience. “People here live with such intensity and positivity, even in war,” she noted.
Karlin plans to study Hebrew at an ulpan and start offering personal fitness training. She dreams of finding a Jewish partner. “I know he’s here; I just hope I find him,” she said. Despite a challenging start and fears after hearing of deaths in safe rooms, she remains committed. “I can’t let fear stop me. If we all leave, there won’t be an Israel,” she said.
