Who The Folk?! Podcast
By Jewfolk Media
This is the Podcast home to Jewfolk Media's Who The Folk?! Podcast. Hear from interesting Members of the Tribe from all over the Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Who The Folk?! PodcastDec 09, 2018
00:00
19:04
Laura Taple
What does working for Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Temple Israel and a grave marking company have in common? Laura Taple knows. Laura talks about taking over as vice president of Katzman Monument Company, connecting with people, and the idea of legacy, In this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Dec 16, 201830:39
Adam Schwartz
This week we talk with Adam Schwartz, who recently finished his Ph.D., but also started the fantastic Heritage Judaica – a Facebook group that helps get excess Judaic items to new homes. Heritage Judaica has been so successful that it's getting ready to expand to Chicago. We talk about how that got started, what he's thinking for a follow up, and what led him to move to Minnesota 5 years ago, on this Week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
tcjewfolk.com/recipe-contest-schwartz-challah/
tcjewfolk.com/heritage-judaica-extra-ritual-objects/
tcjewfolk.com/recipe-contest-schwartz-challah/
tcjewfolk.com/heritage-judaica-extra-ritual-objects/
Dec 09, 201819:04
Eli Singer
Today we get to sit down in the library at Minnesota Hillel with Eli Singer, the president of the Hillel student board. Eli is immensely dedicated to Jewish life, educating and empowering, and serving others. Although a Deerfield, Illinois, native, he has a deep love for the Twin Cities and TC Jewish community. Learn about his involvement in Jewish fraternity life, a Jewish acapella group, and both Jewish and secular student organizations, in this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
tcjewfolk.com/who-the-folk/
tcjewfolk.com/who-the-folk/
Dec 02, 201817:51
David Benowitz
What does it take to open a new restaurant? What about turning a bar into a full-service restaurant? This week we sit down with David Benowitz, the COO of Craft & Crew restaurant group who tells us just that. We talk about the recently announced restaurant slated to open next year in St. Louis Park called The Block. But we also talk about how he got started in the restaurant business, how dogs have become one of the unique parts of their business, and how trusting his managers has led to important innovations in the way they do business, in this week's Who The Folk Podcast.
Nov 25, 201827:15
Heather Edelson
Today we sit down with one of the newly-elected legislators to the Minnesota House of Representative, Heather Edelson, who will represent Edina in the District 49A. We sat down with Heather for a Who The Folk interview when she first ran the DFL nomination in 2016, but now we talk about what it's like to win, what's changed for her as a candidate in the past two years, and what her policy priorities are, in this week's Who The Folk Podcast.
2016 article: tcjewfolk.com/folk-heather-edelson/
2016 article: tcjewfolk.com/folk-heather-edelson/
Nov 18, 201817:45
Imani Jackson
What are you doing at 22 years old? Imani Jackson is running the catering at Minnesota Hillel, has already been the head chef at the Lumber Exchange Events Center, and has big plans for what's next. A student at MCTC, Imani is planning to transfer to the U soon. On today's podcast, Imani talks about what her life in food, embracing the African-American and Jewish sides of her heritage, and ALL kinds of food – including what makes the perfect hummus, on this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Nov 11, 201827:51
Carrie Fink
This week we get to sit down with the Minneapolis PJ Library coordinator Carrie Fink. Carrie is in the midst of planning the upcoming 10th Birthday celebration of the PJ Library program in Minneapolis, where they will celebrate the 100,000th book that has gone out in the community here. And we have a slight correction to something we discussed: We learned about after recording this week, but the 100,000 books is about triple the height of the IDS Center in Minneapolis. Carrie also tells us about some of the other fun family programming that PJ Library is putting on this fall and winter, so keep an eye on TC Jewfolk to see how you can get involved. But until then, enjoy this week's show with Carrie Fink.
tcjewfolk.com/event/pj-library-minneapolis-10th-birthday-party/
tcjewfolk.com/event/pj-library-hanukkah-donut-celebration/
tcjewfolk.com/event/pj-library-bet-shalom-havdalah/
tcjewfolk.com/event/traveling-havdalah-2-beth-el-pj-library-and-camp-ramah/
tcjewfolk.com/event/pj-library-minneapolis-10th-birthday-party/
tcjewfolk.com/event/pj-library-hanukkah-donut-celebration/
tcjewfolk.com/event/pj-library-bet-shalom-havdalah/
tcjewfolk.com/event/traveling-havdalah-2-beth-el-pj-library-and-camp-ramah/
Nov 04, 201816:23
Heidi Fellner
Heidi Fellner said she wanted to be an actress from the time she was a young child. While many relatives didn't believe her, she's gone on to prove them wrong. While she's currently starring in the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company's performance of "The Last Schwartz," you've probably heard her voice on radio or seen her on TV.
On this week's podcast, we talk with the versatile actress about the current show, but also about how she makes a role her own, keeping it interesting during the run of a show, and some of the very interesting and important work she isn't when she's off-stage, in this week's who The folk!? Podcast.
tcjewfolk.com/jew-review-the-last-schwartz/
On this week's podcast, we talk with the versatile actress about the current show, but also about how she makes a role her own, keeping it interesting during the run of a show, and some of the very interesting and important work she isn't when she's off-stage, in this week's who The folk!? Podcast.
tcjewfolk.com/jew-review-the-last-schwartz/
Oct 28, 201834:26
Kristy Wesson
Kristy Wesson isn't bitter about being rejected when she applied for a job with the National Council of Jewish Women Minnesota (she is), but has gotten over it as she's now the organization's communications coordinator. In this week's podcast, we cover a lot of ground from the important (the Supreme Court and upcoming NCJW programs) to the irreverent (why dogs should have people names and her children being Internet famous). So yeah, we got off the rails pretty quickly here. And we get right into it, as you'll hear. Also, if you have any suggestions for the podcast Kristy wants to start, we're taking them.
tcjewfolk.com/buddies-unleashed/
tcjewfolk.com/event/ncjw-podcast-club-talking-about-privilege/
tcjewfolk.com/event/hennepin-county-attorney-forum/
tcjewfolk.com/buddies-unleashed/
tcjewfolk.com/event/ncjw-podcast-club-talking-about-privilege/
tcjewfolk.com/event/hennepin-county-attorney-forum/
Oct 21, 201828:39
Leah Persky
What's it like to go from being a professor in Denver to a communal service worker in Golden Valley? Leah Persky is experiencing it first-hand. Persky joined Jewish Family and Children's Services this past summer as the agencies new Family Life Education Program Manager. On this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast, Persky talks about transitioning to life in the Twin Cities and the upcoming 18th annual Mental Health Education Conference on October 21 at Temple Israel.
tcjewfolk.com/hundreds-expected-for-annual-mental-health-education-conference/
tcjewfolk.com/hundreds-expected-for-annual-mental-health-education-conference/
Oct 14, 201821:50
Marty Chester
Marty Chester found the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas as the perfect agency for him to get involved in as someone who was a political science and Jewish studies major in college. At the Oct. 11 annual meeting, Marty will become the new president of the organization's board.
We talk about the importance of the JCRC to both Marty and to the community, his family's ties to the organization, and his constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago – trust me, you'll want to stick around for that story – in this week's Who The Folk Podcast.
We talk about the importance of the JCRC to both Marty and to the community, his family's ties to the organization, and his constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago – trust me, you'll want to stick around for that story – in this week's Who The Folk Podcast.
Oct 07, 201830:10
Rabbi Jason Klein
Catching him right before his first Rosh Hashanah as part of Temple's clergy team, Rabbi Jason Klein talked about the winding road that got him into the rabbinate, his first State Fair trip, and what "being welcoming" and privilege means as a white, Jewish, gay man, in this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Sep 16, 201841:56
David Harris
"Comedy is tragedy plus time,” says David Harris, who doesn’t like to call himself an artist (for fear of sounding pretentious), but nonetheless he is one. Behind a joke can stand hot air, or the catharsis of facing personal pain, and everything in between. For Harris, this is both the terrifying and fascinating part of the world he inhabits, one he brings to the stage with him.
Like most art forms, like pottery or theatre, a look behind the curtain gives a deeper appreciation for the journey that Harris brings his audiences on. From the tragedy that inspires him and the conflict between his magic and stand up (one is about being secretive and the other about revealing), to the advice he has for young magicians and comedians today, we covered a lot of ground in this week’s podcast.
And once you've listened, don't forget to catch Harris on Sept. 7 and 8 as he headlines at the Royal Comedy Theater (https://tcjewfolk.com/royal-comedy-theatre/)
Like most art forms, like pottery or theatre, a look behind the curtain gives a deeper appreciation for the journey that Harris brings his audiences on. From the tragedy that inspires him and the conflict between his magic and stand up (one is about being secretive and the other about revealing), to the advice he has for young magicians and comedians today, we covered a lot of ground in this week’s podcast.
And once you've listened, don't forget to catch Harris on Sept. 7 and 8 as he headlines at the Royal Comedy Theater (https://tcjewfolk.com/royal-comedy-theatre/)
Sep 02, 201839:02
Judah Druck
There are challenges of becoming a grown up in a new place, and Judah Druck is learning many of those. But the attorney who moved here two years ago is figuring it out. We talk on this week's podcast with Judah, and you get the opportunity to hear from him before his firs article for us runs this week. But we chat about what it's like to be a newcomer to Minnesota, and adjusting to Jewish life here compared what he left on the East Coast, on this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Aug 26, 201820:46
Hazzan Jeremy Lipton
What's it like to go from a career largely on the pulpit to running a supplemental Hebrew school program? Hazzan Jeremy Lipton is about to find out. Lipton is settling in as the new Head of School at Talmud Torah of Minneapolis, but he tells us that going from being a hazzan on the pulpit to running a school isn't too much of a stretch.
Aug 19, 201833:03
Kim Kivens
What's it like to play 40 characters in one play? Kim Kivens is about to find out. Kivens is staring in the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company's one-woman show, What I Thought I Knew, which runs from August 18-30 at the Highland Park Community Center.
She talks about what it's like to star in her first one-woman show, the deeply personal nature of this particular play, and what she looks for as she chooses roles, in this week's Who The Folk Podcast.
Learn more at: tcjewfolk.com/mjtc-kicks-off-season-with-a-theater-performance-on-womens-health/
She talks about what it's like to star in her first one-woman show, the deeply personal nature of this particular play, and what she looks for as she chooses roles, in this week's Who The Folk Podcast.
Learn more at: tcjewfolk.com/mjtc-kicks-off-season-with-a-theater-performance-on-womens-health/
Aug 12, 201822:17
Uriel Lewis
Uriel Lewis was toiling away as an educator when he decided that he was going to leave the workforce to be a stay at home dad. But that time at home gave him the opportunity to work on a passion of his – baking. This led to the February opening of his home-based bakery, Uriel's Bake Shop. We discuss the art of a good sourdough bread, (editor's note: I can attest, his is fantastic), what led him to this new path, and life as a stay-at-home dad to three kids in this week's Who The Folk Podcast.
Check out his menu, which changes weekly, at www.urielsbakeshop.com
Check out his menu, which changes weekly, at www.urielsbakeshop.com
Aug 05, 201828:12
Meri Golden
We're talking with Meri Golden a veteran of the Twin Cities theater scene. Golden is in the upcoming show at the Fringe Festival, "Revolt of the Beavers" at Mixed Blood Theatre on August 3rd, 5th, 6th 8th and 11th. She talks about that, her fondness for regional theater in the Twin Cities, and why she likes performing with the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company – and it's importance – in this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Tickets and more information: www.minnesotafringe.org/2018-show-information/revolt-of-the-beavers
Tickets and more information: www.minnesotafringe.org/2018-show-information/revolt-of-the-beavers
Jul 29, 201816:14
Rabbi Micah Miller
While the younger Rabbi Miller, wasn't in St. Paul when his father was, he has already met many people who remember him fondly. Miller talks about that, what it's like to take a first pulpit job and the path that led him to the family business on this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Jul 22, 201829:56
Nicole Rabinowitz
Nicole Rabinowitz did what so many from the Twin Cities did after high school – move away for college. But after more than a decade away, she's back and working as the kitchen director for Jewish Housing and Programs, more commonly known as J-HAP.
It's an interesting proposition because there's no kitchen – yet – at J-HAP; there will be soon. Also, she acknowledges that she has no kitchen skills to speak of. That's ok, because she isn't needed to cook. She is putting together a fantastic program that will not only provide a café for residents to eat at, it will give local food entrepreneurs a kitchen space to rent to produce their product.
We talk about the first business to come on board, what's it's like to be back home after more than a decade away, and more, in this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
It's an interesting proposition because there's no kitchen – yet – at J-HAP; there will be soon. Also, she acknowledges that she has no kitchen skills to speak of. That's ok, because she isn't needed to cook. She is putting together a fantastic program that will not only provide a café for residents to eat at, it will give local food entrepreneurs a kitchen space to rent to produce their product.
We talk about the first business to come on board, what's it's like to be back home after more than a decade away, and more, in this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Jul 15, 201819:50
Isaiah Breen
Minneapolis native Isaiah Breen was looking for a way to move back home from Washington, D.C., last year when he met Jewish Community Action Executive Director Carin Mrotz. Then the press secretary for Rep. Keith Ellison, Breen joined JCA as the communications director last fall and is passionate about the agency's mission. Breen talks passionately about a lot of things – including his very fun Twitter feed and Star Wars (which thanks to the power of editing, I've spared you much of) – on this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Jul 08, 201833:38
Andrew Wieberdink
When you’re a part of the Heilicher family in Minneapolis, there are responsibilities that come with it, and Andrew Wieberdink has learned that quickly. Wieberdink is the great-grandson of Amos Heilicher and grandson of Lisa Heilicher, and talks openly about what that means. He also talks about his incredible passion for Israel – we caught up with him between two summer trips to Israel – and what being a community leader means, no matter how old you are.
Jun 24, 201826:15
Derek Wiebke
Derek Wiebke just graduated from the University of Minnesota last month, and before he heads to graduate school, he's joining TC Jewfolk as our new summer intern. Derek's Jewish journey has just recently gotten started, which he touches on today (but will also write more about soon). He also talks about life as a collegiate athlete for the Gophers, where he was a second-team All-American runner and four-time Academic All-Big Ten, and also a fantastic piece he wrote for Outsports (https://www.outsports.com/2018/4/10/17223190/gay-minnesota-derek-wiebke-big-ten-track-field-runner) about finding acceptance as a gay athlete regardless of the results.
Jun 17, 201818:05
Amanda and Berek Awend
Taking a break from preparations for their appearance as the opening act of the Common Sound Festival, Amanda and Berek Awend talk about the craft of making music, "Jewish Americana," and preview a song from their upcoming album.
Jun 10, 201832:15
Dan Schlissel
After struggling as a music producer, learn about how Dan Schlissel started Stand Up! Records in this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast.
Jun 03, 201829:42
Corey Baker
We're back! We sit in the Minnesota Twins dugout this week with Corey Baker, the team's Assistant Advance Scout/Replay Coordinator to talk about his Minor League Baseball career, pitching for Team Israel, and life with an MLB club. Photo Courtesy Margo Sugarman
May 27, 201829:55
Jodi Rankin
This week we sit down with Jodi Rankin, who started the marketing company Fun 2 Raise, but may be better know for the Twin City Mitzvah Guide that gets published each year to help families get through the bar and Bat Mitzvah process. Jodi tells how she got started and why it was important to her to start a business model that gives money back to the Jewish community.
May 13, 201831:17
Dan Israel
We chat with musician Dan Israel about his new album, "You're Free," and he goes in-depth his recent evolution to a full-time musician, Israel, religion, family, fitting in and how it all comes together.
May 05, 201835:00
Ali Kaplan
We go 1-on-1 with Ali Kaplan the newest -- and first female -- editor of Twin Cities Business Magazine, in this week's Who The Folk?! Podcast
Apr 30, 201821:52
Matt Brickman
In our first ever Who The Folk?! Podcast, we sit down and chat with WCCO meteorologist Matt Brickman to talk family, food, getting blamed for blizzards, and the obscene hour of the morning he gets up to go to work.
Apr 20, 201830:13