“I was never interested in dating an actor,” said Dov Lebowitz-Nowak, with a smile. “But, when I saw Amber, I was immediately attracted.”
And Amber Bloom never thought she would date another actor. “Intellectuals weren’t usually my type, but I was intrigued,” she said.
The couple met in 2012 while rehearsing for a play in a little theater around the corner from their current Brooklyn apartment. Amber: “It was a small cast, so we were forced to talk to each other.”
Dov: “For me, it was love at first sight, but I hesitated to approach Amber because she seemed like one of the ‘cool kids.’ Still, we flirted throughout the rehearsals and I finally got the courage to invite her to join me for a lunch break. Kinda like a date, but when another cast member joined us, it was just lunch.”
The mood was festive at the opening night cast party. Amber: “That’s when we kissed.” And two nights later, on March 4, 2012, they had their first date at a local restaurant. Amber was then 31 and Dov, 29.
Amber: “After years of dating immature men, it was nice to hear a guy just come out and say that he likes me and wants to spend time with me. From then on, we were inseparable.”
Dr. Ali Binazir has written an article for Huffpost on “9 Reasons Why Dating Actors is a Bad Idea.” Amber responds: “Honestly, it’s helpful that we’re in the same profession. You understand the time commitment needed to work in the industry. The other person understands what it feels like to get rejected hundreds or thousands of times at audition after audition and can help you through that. Dov and I get each other.”
Amber grew up in upstate New York and graduated cum laude from Ithaca College, where she also received a master’s degree in physical therapy. She is an actor, dancer, creator and physical therapist.
Dov received an AB from Brown University, graduated from the Professional Conservatory at the Michael Howard Studios and received the Registered Rodenburg Teacher certification at the Patsy Rodenburg Center for Voice & Speech. He is a performing arts professional, educator, non-profit manager and technologist.
The couple have starred in about a dozen theater and screen projects together, and belong to two sketch comedy groups: The Egos, available for viewing on Amazon Prime, and To Karen, With Love, in residency (corona permitting) at the Caveat, on the Lower East Side.
Amber: “Dov’s vows made me cry.” Dov: “Hers made me laugh.”
On the last night of Chanukah, 2018, Dov proposed to Amber, along a pier on the East River. Amber wasn’t surprised by the location or the timing. Dov: “I was born in New York City and I love the Manhattan skyline. My parents got married on the fourth night of Chanukah and it’s always been one of my favorite holidays.”
When asked about their wedding vows, Amber responds: “Dov’s vows made me cry.” Dov: “Hers made me laugh.”
Support the New York Jewish Week
Our nonprofit newsroom depends on readers like you. Make a donation now to support independent Jewish journalism in New York.
Amber to Dov, under the chuppah:
You came into my life when I wasn’t expecting to find someone… You’ve made me feel talented, beautiful and smart (although I’ve never felt smarter than you, you evil genius), and I can only hope that I can make you feel the same way. If there are times that I’m not, I promise to reflect and figure out a way to step up my game and make you feel just as special.
I promise to protect your heart with my own.
I promise to be your partner for life and love you with all of my soul, forever.
Amber and Dov were married Feb. 29, 2020 at the Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan. Rabbi Serge Lippe officiated. Mazal tov.
Dr. Leah Hakimian currently researches the question: How Jewish couples meet and marry. In the ’90s she founded two nonprofit Jewish matchmaking programs, and continues to champion the role of community in helping singles meet. She lives in Jerusalem and Great Neck, N.Y.
