About Alan Lake

Born and raised by first generation Russian/Jewish/Americans in the multicultural Chicago of the mid ’50s prepared me for what was to come i.e. early ethnic influences, my first lessons in culture, food, music, civics makes me a citizen of the world. I was a sponge and loved it all. Now add an immigrant work ethic with old country morals and principles which I rebelled against but have since returned to, and find great comfort in them. Part of my evolution was to embrace karma.

I was never really encouraged to do anything, but on the other hand, I was never discouraged either. IT has a lot to do with why I don’t mind trying new things that interest me, to see if I can learn to do them well. The attainment of knowledge was big in my house. When you’re being raped and pillaged by Bolsheviks, you learn that land and possessions can be taken from you, but what’s in your head is yours forever.