Who the Folk?! Liz Apple

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 Matthew Saxe. This week meet Liz Apple! Know someone we should feature? Nominate them by sending an email to [email protected]. 

TC Jewfolk: Are you from the Twin Cities?

Liz: Yes, I am from Minneapolis. I went to school at Parsons School of Design, so I lived in New York for four years.

TCJ: You’re the artist and designer behind a lot of Target’s Hanukkah products. That’s so cool! Do you have a specific area of expertise, or do you do it all?

Liz: My job is to draw all of the icons and patterns. I also design the paper items (plates, napkins, wrapping paper). Other designers then take the artwork and apply them to various items– from dog toys to kids sippy cups, so it’s definitely a collaboration. Also, Laura Stein designed a lot of the gift bags this year. Being the only two who are Jewish on our team, people trust us to make great Hanukkah products. We also have a Jewish business council at Target, and so we get a lot of really good ideas and feedback that way.

TCJ: Do you just constantly have Hanukkah on the brain?

Liz:  Not really. I work on so many projects at once. Right now I’m working on Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. I am always looking at how people decorate during Hanukkah, though.

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

Liz: Here’s to dear old Herzl.

TCJ: What’s your favorite way to celebrate Shabbat?

Liz: Lately Makom– such a great way to meet a lot of new, young people. Oh and reconnect with some old friends. Good food too.

TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish food?

Liz: Nothing beats a bagel and lox from Russ & Daughters. Oh except my family’s potato knish (top secret recipe). It’s mind-blowing. I have never tasted a knish that is anywhere near as delicious.

TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?

Liz: Rosh Hashanah. One year in New York I went with a bunch of friends to Sammy’s Deli in the Lower East Side. They throw an awesome Rosh Hashanah party. We drank, ate delicious food, and after the meal everyone in the restaurant danced like crazy. It was one of my favorite New York moments, for sure.

TCJ: Who’s the coolest Jew?

Liz: Max Greenfield aka Schmidt from New Girl.

TCJ: What’s your top strategy for surviving winter?

Liz: A well stocked bar and a good Netflix queue.

TCJ: What’s your favorite thing to do in the Cities?

Liz: Draw at coffee shops, ride my bike all over, try new restaurants, go to shows.

TCJ: What else do you do for fun?

Liz: I do yoga, play tennis, cook, bake. I’m trying to perfect my Challah recipe. Braids are hard.

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

Liz: In continuation of the above, my dream is to start a Challah delivery service via bicycle. And every biker will have a really awesome hair braid. Maybe one day…