Hello!

My name is William Blastos, and I am a soon-to-be graduate of Middlebury College (Winter 2023). I am from Southern Maine (Kennebunk for anyone who is familiar) but have recently spent summers in Vermont and Brooklyn. I study Russian at Middlebury and was actually on my study-abroad semester in Moscow when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. I am currently working on my thesis project. Beyond my academic pursuits I love to read fiction, especially books in translation. Some of my favorite authors are Haruki Murakami, James Baldwin, and Tove Ditlevsen. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mel King, and I found the process to be incredibly rewarding. Our conversation centered on queer and trans identity, conversion to Judaism, working on the Kolot board, and numerous other things. Taking part in the Kolot Chayeinu Oral History Project has been the utmost pleasure.

Listen to: Will’s interview with Mel King