Welcome to “Who the Folk?!” Every week on Monday we feature a new member of the community as our “Person of the Week.” Last week we got to know Gabe Kravitz. This week we have a special “Couples Edition” with newlyweds Sarah and Brad Hanly! Know someone we should feature? Nominate them by sending an email to [email protected].
TC Jewfolk: Are you both from the Twin Cities?
Sarah & Brad: Sarah was born in Sunny Los Angeles but moved to Minneapolis at 7 years old. Brad is a born and raised Minnesotan. We love Minneapolis and have no plans to leave!
TCJ: Are you both Jewish?
Sarah & Brad: Sarah was born into the Jewish community, graduated Talmud Torah and attended Camp Ramah (Nivo 97!!). Brad came by it more planfully (is that a word?) later in life. Sarah could not be more proud of Brad’s head first leap into the glistening Jewish pool.
TCJ: How’d you meet? Was it love at first sight?
Sarah & Brad: We fell in love at my sister, Molly’s, going away party (really a 6 month vacation to New Jersey). Brad and I hit it off at the beginning of the night and did not stop talking until the lights came on in the bar. We’ve been together almost every day since!
Brad says our story began a few months earlier when Molly and Sarah rushed their poodle, Hershey, to the emergency vet. Hershey had eaten an absurd amount of chocolate energy bars, and the size of Hershey’s tummy had swelled to a size very comparable to the size of Brad’s heart upon meeting Molly’s older sister, Sarah. Although Sarah was preoccupied with caring for Hershey, Brad patiently waited until Molly skipped town to swoop on her sister.
TCJ: You just got married last month. How is married life treating you so far?
Sarah & Brad: We love being married. It’s so cheesy, but sometimes we call each other Mr. & Mrs. Hanly just to hear it out loud.
TCJ: What TC organizations are you involved with?
Sarah & Brad: Brad is the Engagement Chair on the Beth El Young Adults Board and he is actively involved as a volunteer at the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. Sarah is the 20|30 project Chair at the Federation and is an active member of Beth El Young Adults. We both love checking out all that Minneapolis has to offer the Jewish Community and you can often find us at Next Gen Events, Benefits, study sessions etc. We also serve brunch once a month at the Ronald McDonald house on the U of M campus.
TCJ: What’s your favorite way to celebrate Shabbat?
Sarah & Brad: Our favorite part of the week is going the Beth El on Friday night for Kabbalat Shabbat. It’s the perfect end to a long week, and on the last Friday of the month we get to stay for a delicious Beth El Young Adults Shabbat Dinner!
TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?
Sarah & Brad: Our favorite Jewish holiday is Passover. We love hosting the seder and having discussions with our friends and family. Passover is a holiday that is so rooted in tradition and we love learning about old traditions and starting new ones.
TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish food?
Sarah: My Mom’s brisket – it’s sweet and savory and wonderfully delicious! I’ve had good brisket elsewhere, but nothing holds a candle to my mom’s!
Brad: Matzah Pizza!
TCJ: Who is the coolest Jew?
Sarah & Brad: Rabbi Avi Olitzky for so many reasons! He married us, so that makes him pretty cool right there. It was the most beautiful, thoughtful ceremony (we’re totally not biased!) and we couldn’t have asked for more. He has done so much for our community in the short time he has been here – he brings exciting speakers to town, challenges old (might we say, outdated?) traditions, and inspires people to think outside the Jewish “box!” And do we even need to say it? He made it possible to have a Kosher Hot Dog at the Twins Stadium! That’s really cool!
TCJ: What’s your favorite thing to do in the Cities?
Sarah & Brad: Minneapolis has so much to offer – great restaurants, theater, the lakes, live music. We like to take it all in when we can but our favorite thing to do is to find a great new restaurant and share it with our friends.
TCJ: Give us one more reason why you two are folking awesome!
Sarah & Brad: Brad has a Halo character of his exact likeness and Sarah has 38 pairs of stiletto heels.
Click here to nominate your favorite TC Jew to be featured on our weekly Who the Folk?! series!