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 Noah Itman. This week This week we have another “Couples Edition” with Brittany Beck & Jonathan Wolfish! Know someone we should feature? Nominate them by sending an email to [email protected].
TC Jewfolk: Are you both from the Twin Cities?
Brittany & Jonathan: No , Brittany is a Minnesota native and Jonathan moved here from Toronto in elementary school.
TCJ: How did you two meet? What was your first date like?
Brittany: We met at the kickoff event for JFCS NextGen in January 2012. Oddly enough we both went to Armstrong High School, had several mutual friends, and were probably dancing back-to-back at some Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties, yet we had never met before. For our first date, Jonathan picked me up after I was finished teaching Hebrew school and took me to dinner and a movie– we saw Hugo!
Jonathan: I loved Hugo!
TCJ: You’re both very involved with JFCS. Has social justice/giving always been a big part of your lives?
Jonathan: Yes it has. My parents emphasized the importance of giving tzedakah and volunteering my time to help others and these values have remained an important part of my life.
Brittany: Yes, I would agree with Jonathan that our parents influenced us in this way. I was always encouraged to be involved in the community. After volunteering with various organizations through synagogue I knew that I loved working with kids and throughout high school volunteered each weekend with the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital and now am a big sister through JFCS’s Big Brother Big Sister Program.
TCJ: We’re taking an informal survey. Which of the many Jewish summer camps gets you all ferklempt?
Jonathan: This may come as a surprise to some, but I only went to Herzl Camp for two summers. After my family moved from Toronto, I made a deal with my parents that they would let me go to overnight camp in Ontario with my best friends from Toronto. I also worked as a counselor at Camp Olami at the JCC for a few summers and I have some great memories from my time there.
Brittany: Herzl camp was really what got me interested in my Judaism. I attended as a camper for 5 years and then was an Ozo, Counselor, Amanut Director (aka Amanutie Cutie), and Program Director. The most rewarding part of being involved with camp has been watching my campers become staff the last few years and be amazing role models.
TCJ: What’s your favorite way to celebrate Shabbat?
Brittany: It’s always nice to have a wonderful meal provided for us, but we also love to host! Something about maneuvering in the kitchen together is really fun and we make a good team.
TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?
Jonathan: My favorite Jewish holiday would have to be Purim. I am a huge fan of hamentaschen, especially poppy seed, and it’s always fun to get into costume and rattle the groggers.
Brittany: I love Passover! I love the process of the seder and having everyone participate. I’ll tell you my least favorite holiday: Yom Kippur. Every few years it lands on my birthday…
TCJ: What’s your favorite Jewish food?
Jonathan: This is a tough one, but I think I’d have to go with a pastrami sandwich from Katz’s Deli in New York. I am a sucker for delis and Katz’s is at the top of the list for me. No deli sandwich is complete without a bowl of Kosher dills.
Brittany: I am the weirdo who loves the Passover food. All of it. Even the maror. Especially the maror.
TCJ: Whose mother is the most “Jewish Mothery”?
Jonathan: Both of our mothers have “Jewish mother”characteristics, but I would say that my mother has more qualities of a stereotypical “Jewish mother, which means plenty of kvelling and kvetching.
Brittany: This question seems dangerous to answer…
TCJ: What’s your favorite summer activity?
Jonathan: I really enjoy going on long and scenic bike rides around the Twin Cities. There are so many great trails and the best part of the rides is stopping for some great bites to eat at places like Sea Salt at Minnehaha Falls or anywhere in the Midtown Global Market.
TCJ: What’s your favorite thing to do in the Cities?
Brittany: We both love and appreciate live music shows. I used to work at Varsity theater so it has a special place in my heart but we also love First Ave and other smaller venues in the area.
Jonathan: Definitely going to shows together. We both agree that live music has been and will be a big part of our lives.
TCJ: Give us one more reason you’re folking awesome!
Jonathan: Brittany is a great cook and my favorite dish of hers is her penne pasta in vodka sauce, it is out of this world!
Brittany: Jonathan is also an amazing chef, but I think he is folking awesome because he is a trivia maniac. We decided if both of our careers fall through we could probably live off of the gift cards we win at trivia nights.
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