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 Sarah & Brad Hanly. This week meet Jen Zaligson! Know someone we should feature? Nominate them by sending an email to [email protected].
TC Jewfolk: Are you from the Twin Cities?
Jen: I was born and raised in the Twin Cities throughout the western suburbs. I’ve also moved up and down the middle section of the U.S. for both school and jobs: Peoria, IL, Austin, TX, and Bloomington, IN.
TCJ: You’re part of the events team at Mozza Mia. What’s that like?
Jen: It’s a very fun and social job! It is different every day, which keeps work fun and interesting. We see both business and social events here in Mozza Mia’s Party Room. I am able to assist people in planning events from honoring business accomplishments to networking with people in their field and celebrating life events like birthdays and weddings. One of my favorite parts of the job is the transformation from working with a client at the beginning of their party plans, with a rough sketch of what they want out of their event, to then finalizing all the details and seeing the client and their guests happy and truly enjoying the event!
TCJ: As an Italian/pizza place, are you worried about the Passover sales drop-off?
Jen: Since us Twin Cities folks are pros at the Matzo Pizza, I know we’ll lose some business to people’s ovens at home over Passover. However, we’re ready to welcome everyone back into the land of leavened goodness after Passover! What better food to celebrate the end of Passover than wood-fired pizzas (made with Surly beer in the crust, yum), house-made pasta, and delicious accompaniments like fresh mozzarella, grilled crostini, and appetizers of olive tapenade, creamy goat cheese dip, and more?
TCJ: Are you involved in any other TC organizations?
Jen: I’m pretty involved in the Edina area with my job – Edina Chamber of Commerce and 50th & France Business Association. I am on the event committee for 50th & France so it allows me be even more involved in the area. Also, I absolutely love the ladies in my Twin Cities Kappa Delta Alumnae Association!
TCJ: If there was a showdown between all the Jewish summer camps, who would you want to win?
Jen: Camp Chi. We had two water parks right next to us – does that automatically qualify us for the win?! (The showdown could even take place at Noah’s Ark.)
TCJ: What’s your favorite way to celebrate Shabbat?
Jen: I love having a big Shabbat dinner at home with friends and family surrounding the table. My other favorite way to celebrate is the Beth El Young Adult monthly Shabbat dinners – they are always fantastic and filled with new and old friends.
TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?
Jen: Rosh Hashanah. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect inward on the past year and think about how to be a better person/member of society, and I really enjoy listening to the big sermons at high holiday services.
TCJ: Who is the coolest Jew?
Jen: Seth Rogen. That hair, that laugh. Plus, he’s Canadian, so that makes him extra cool.
TCJ: Have you been to Israel? What is your favorite memory?
Jen: I’ve been to Israel multiple times, both on summer trips in high school (Masada, USY Israel Pilgrimage), and leading Birthright trips when I worked at Indiana Hillel. Randomly running into friends from the U.S. on the streets of Israel will always be my favorite memory, because it makes it feel like a familiar home, rather than just a country thousands of miles away from Minnesota.
TCJ: What’s your favorite thing to do in the Cities?
Jen: Seeing live music at First Avenue. It’s one of the best venues around with such a rich history, and I’ve been able to hear many of my favorite bands play there.
TCJ: Give us one more reason why you two are folking awesome!
Jen: I can make a mean hamantashen.
Click here to nominate your favorite TC Jew to be featured on our weekly Who the Folk?! series!