Rush was born in Haifa, Israel. Her name,"Odeya", means"Thank God", in Hebrew.[1] She moved to the United States when she was nine, so her father, Shlomo, could take a job as a security consultant in Alabama.[2][3] Rush is Jewish, and attended N.E. Miles Jewish Day School in Birmingham, AL, where they lived.[1][4] She later moved to New Jersey, where she attends public school.[5] Rush has six brothers, including two sets of twins.[2][6]　　She has appeared in short films and commercials and in the television series Curb Your Enthusiasm in the episode"Mister Softee," as Emily, and Law and Order SVU, in the episode"Branded," in which she played the character Hannah Milner.[7][8] She played Joni Jerome, the best friend of Timothy, in the Peter Hedges-directed Disney film The Odd Life of Timothy Green.[9]　　In May 2012, it was confirmed that Rush will be cast as young Mary in 'Mary, Mother of the Christ,' the Hollywood prequel to The Passion of the Christ.[10]