FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE -- THE STORY OF THE JOURNEY OF GRETA ELIAS FROM THE ISRAELI ARMY TO A BRIDAL BOUTIQUE IN NEW YORK
Her Story Could Become A Television Network Sitcom Or A Major Feature Film
By Dan Wooding

It's been an extraordinary journey for Greta Elias, who has gone from a former soldier in the Israeli Army, to a petite fashion model in America, to the owner of an upscale New York bridal boutique. And now her story is ready be turned into an American television sitcom or even a major feature film.

Even though she is still single, Greta gives out her helpful insights to about-to-be-weds in her "Bridal Advice" column that runs in local newspapers in the United States. She has also co-hosted a radio bridal show in major US markets.

But now, Greta, who speaks Hebrew, Arabic, conversational French and English, could be involved in her most exciting project yet -- a TV series or a movie about her bridal boutique. She's already written some of the scripts.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Greta was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, into what she describes as a "very warm and loving family." Her father was a dentist and her mother was a housewife. "I have an older brother and a younger brother, so being the middle child and a girl was not easy," she recalled. "We traveled a lot in Israel and around the world. After high school I joined the army. (In Israel it is mandatory). Being in the army made me grow up over-night from a carefree young girl to a very appreciative and thankful woman. I did not take life for granted anymore. When you join the army you are not a person, you are a number.

"The training was very difficult, it was no picnic. We as human beings are not aware of how much we can endure, until we must.

A PSYCHIATRIST WITHOUT A LICENSE

"Part of my job after basic training was to travel from base to base and talk to the soldiers about everything and anything or, in another words to boost their morale. Basically, I was a psychiatrist without a license. It was a great feeling to know that I brought smiles and hope for lonely soldiers. I love to laugh and I believe that with laughter and a positive attitude you can solve any problem. The key to my success was that I helped them to see life in humor, I laughed at myself and they laughed at themselves. I finished my military service as a 'sergeant', and shortly after I joined my family in the U.S.A."

Greta said that her older brother was living in New York and so her parents decided to join him. "When I arrived in New York, aside from my family, I knew no one," she said. "Initially, I did not know if I wanted to stay or go back to Israel."

Soon she got a break. "I was approached by a modeling agency and that is how I started to model," she revealed. "I did a lot of print modeling and runway work as a petite model. But I knew that I could go only so far as a model because I was not 6 feet tall! I needed a challenge, and I missed Israel."

So she managed to get a job with Eastern Airlines -- with whom she worked for 10 years -- so that she could go Israel regularly as well as also travel the world.

ONE HUNDRED SCREAMING PEOPLE

With her work with the airline came lots of unusual incidents. "One of them," she said, was when I was working on a flight and the airport had been closed due to a snowstorm. I was standing behind the counter, in front of me were about 100 screaming people who were yelling out questions like, 'When are we going to take off?' and, 'Why is the airport closed?'

"Finally, I picked up the phone and the microphone and started to talk out loud. 'Hello God. I have here 100 angry passengers, could you please tell me when are you going to stop the snow?' You should have been there to see 100 people laughing at themselves. I got a lot of complimentary letters. My ability to solve problems has helped me in a lot of situations."

Greta said that as a side job she was also a "personal shopper" for others, which led her to think about opening her own business. "My rapport with people is excellent and I have an eye for fashion and I am a born business woman," she said, adding, "Without risks you cannot achieve anything:"

So she opened her bridal boutique in Forest Hills, which she said is the Madison Avenue of Queens. "It has four blocks of boutiques and restaurants, is 20 minutes away from New York City and the rent is not as high as Manhattan. "I worked at the airlines from early in the morning until 10 am and then went to my boutique," she said.

"IF THEY LOOK GOOD, I LOOK BETTER"

Why did she decide on a bridal boutique? "There was no bridal shop in the area, the closest is 30 minutes away, so I made up my mind, and when there is a will there is a way," she explained. "The bridal boutique was born. I have been in business for 13 years now. I help prospective brides to choose the right gown according to what looks better on them. If they look good, I look better. If they look bad, I look worse."

Now she has begun writing scripts on her experiences. They have been presented by herself and her agent, Terry Porter, to a major TV network in Los Angeles. "The reason I decided to write the initial script called, 'The bridal boutique,' is that I have come across so many funny, and I mean funny, stories that I wanted to share them with the world. We can all use a laugh to brighten our day. All of the stories are based on actual experiences, sometimes I do no believe what I see or hear in this business."

She said that acting was another passion of hers. "I have appeared in several movies and TV commercials and my plan is to appear in the bridal boutique TV series that I have created," she said. "Also, I would love to have a talk show. I would be able to put my guests at ease, as relationships are my forte. People listen to me. I am still a psychiatrist without a licence and I am scheduled to appear on a major T.V show as a relationship expert.

I then asked Greta, if as an Israeli, she has a faith. "I do believe in God and I do believe that he watches over us, however I could not describe myself as a religious Jew," she said.

I asked her for her views about the state of marriage in America. "The state of marriage in the USA is improving," she said. "Society is reverting to the way marriages were before. People are more loyal to each other and it seems as though the marriage institution has come full circle. Girls are getting married at a much older age. I was never married, but I came close few times. I truly believe that my soul mate is out there.

She concluded by saying, "I am very proud of the bridal boutique scripts that I have written, I am sure that people will find my stories refreshing. It appeals to all ages, religions, and races. It is based on real life, things we can all relate to and laugh about.

"The bridal boutique package is being considered by a major production company in Hollywood," she said. "The response that my agent, Terry Porter, has been receiving is more than positive. We both believe in the Bridal Boutique, and trust that it will be a winner."
______________________________________________________________________

Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife, Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times). Wooding is also the author of some 38 books, (the latest of which is called "Blind Faith," which he co-authored with his 91-year old mother, Anne Wooding (WinePress Publishing and ASSIST Books), a syndicated columnist and a commentator on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC.

Graphics, Design & Hosting by Web4Christ Ministries

Home | Webzine | Search the Site | Archives | Resources
Events | Free Graphics | Our Mission | Membership
New Guestbook | E-Mail Fellowship

Author: Iona Hoeppner
Copyright © 1999 Handmaidens4Christ. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 03, 2003.