Who The Folk?! Eliana Schreiber

It’s a busy time at TC Jewfolk, and fortunately, we have the help of two awesome interns. This week we get to know U of M junior Eliana Schreiber — as questioned by fellow intern Melissa Steinken (who we’ll get to know next week) — in this week’s Who The Folk?!

Are you from the Twin Cities?

I am originally from the Chicagoland area but I went to high school in Madison, Wisc. Then I came to Minneapolis when I started at the University of Minnesota.

What made you pick the U of M?

I actually get reciprocity tuition because I am a Wisconsin resident. I had actually applied to a lot of schools out east and they were really expensive even with financial aid. My parents said that it was ultimately my decision but they strongly recommended that I pick the University of Wisconsin or the University of Minnesota. They didn’t want me to be a broke girl in New York City. I toured the University and I just really loved the campus and the city and just really wanted to come here.

What are your plans for the summer?

Besides interning here at the lovely TC Jewfolk, I am working part-time at Black Coffee and Waffle Bar and a new Chinese restaurant called Le Pot.

Wow, that’s a busy schedule. So what’s your favorite summer activity in the Twin Cities?

I just really like to when it’s nice out to run or walk to Stone Arch Bridge and I really like the Minneapolis farmer’s markets.

Which do you go to the most?

I like the one in Northeast and Downtown. I haven’t been to the one in Uptown. I like the one at the University of Minnesota too. I think it’s about once a week.

You’re new to TC Jewfolk. What do you want to see more of in the news publication?

I would just say more stuff geared toward a younger audience like students. I would like to target more young people and get them interested in TC Jew news because I think it’s really important to have them. They’re such a big part of the Twin Cities Jewish community, I don’t want them to be excluded.

What’s your spirit animal?

My spirit animal is definitely Britney Spears circa 2007. I mean, she’s a hot mess, but you know she’s going to make a comeback soon.

So you’re a journalist. How did you get interested in journalism?

So, I have always been interested in writing. I took a creative writing course my freshmen year at the U and I hated it. So that was sort of my segue into journalism and news writing. I felt like with journalism I was able to still think creatively and use my writing in a different setting. To be able to tell other people stories instead of just pulling stories out of nowhere. Once I started learning more about the world of journalism I became more interested and I really like the idea that journalism is a public service.

What connects you to Judaism?

I have pretty much grown up Jewish my whole life. I come from a long line of Jews from my family. So two Jewish parents and I grew up celebrating all the holidays and celebrating Shabbat every week. Judaism is second nature to me so I think Judaism has always been in my life and it’s a part of identity.

Favorite Jewish holiday?

Definitely Shabbat. I just think it’s so important to take the day off and really reflect on the week. When I was in middle school, I always despised having to stay home on Friday nights and not being able to go out with my friends. Now, I appreciate it a lot more now that I’m in college. I like being able to sit down and have a nice meal and being with close friends and family.

Favorite Jewish food?

Everything. Jewish food is so good. But my favorite Jewish food is bourekas. It used to be my mom’s matzah ball soup but now I am vegan and can’t eat matzah balls so it’s a sad life. Hit me up if you know a good vegan recipe.