Who the Folk?! Shana Rosenthal

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 week we got to know Max Leibowitz. This week meet Shana Rosenthal! Know someone we should feature? Nominate them by sending an email to [email protected]. 

TC Jewfolk: Are you from the Twin Cities? 

Shana: Yes! I am a proud product of St. Paul.

TCJ: You work for Frazier Recovery Homes. Can you describe the kind of work you do there?

Shana: Oh boy… My work title is ‘House Manager’. I work with up to five women at a time, who all come from jails, treatment, etc. and are all (some of the time,) working to recover from drug, alcohol, gambling and/or other addiction issues. My job is to make sure things are running smoothly at the house; you’d be surprised how many alcoholics have a problem remembering to stay sober in a sober house. The most important pieces of my work with Frazier, however, are the conversations I have with ladies where I can share my own experience in recovering from addiction. I’d like to believe that by being a real – not necessarily “good” – example of recovery, I can shed some beacon of hope for these women.

TCJ: Are you involved in any other TC organizations?

Shana: I am pretty involved in St. Paul’s recovery community. It’s very important for me to give back what has been so freely given to me.

TCJ: We’re taking an informal survey. Which of the many Jewish summer camps gets you all ferklempt?

Shana:  I have a deep love in my heart for Camp Butwin. I went there for many years and eventually became a CIT (counselor in-training) as well. My youngest sister actually just had her Bat Mitzvah party at Butwin, and it just brought me back to great memories of Zimrot, Color Wars, Gaga and so many other things!

TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?

Shana: It’s very funny because when I was at Ben Gurion in 2009 an officer asked me the same question and I still have the same answer; Yom Kippur is my favorite Jewish holiday. “WHAT?!” is most people’s reaction. I love singing the beautiful, solemn melodies and feeling connected to the large echo throughout the shul. It also feels great to have an entire day to reflect upon the person that I have been and hope to become in the next year.

TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish food?

Shana: There is nothing like a Shabbat without my Zayde’s challah – may his memory be for a blessing. Breadsmith just does not come up to par with his.

TCJ: Who is the coolest Jew?

Shana: I always tell people that Adam Sandler is the 2nd best Jew ever which is always followed by the question, “Who’s the first?”… “Me.” Haha.

TCJ: What’s your favorite fall activity?

Shana: Walking, biking, or hiking and seeing all of the different-colored leaves. It may sound a little creepy, but in my parents’ neighborhood there is a bush in front of a house that each fall turns red and we call it ‘The Burning Bush’ – I love that.

TCJ: What’s your favorite thing to do in the cities (any time of year)?

Shana: I absolutely love having bonfires! My friends and I have been known to light fires year-round. Yes, even when there is snow on the ground.

TCJ: What else do you do for fun?

Shana: Drink lots of coffee, play guitar, sing, paint, write, and anything that is outdoors or that can safely get my adrenaline pumping.

TCJ: Give us one more reason why you’re folking awesome! 

Shana: I am always laughing, which typically evokes a similar response in others – most of the time with me, I think. My sister once apparently counted that I have 22 different laughs, so I can amuse a lot of different people!