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Great storytelling – and storytellers – creates a connection between themselves and the audience. It weaves the threads of their lives together with those listening, and makes you think things like ‘oh, I’m not alone!’ or ‘I’ve been there!’ or ‘that sounds good; will they share that recipe?’
Stories From the Tribe is an event by TC Jewfolk. This is a live, on-the-bima show, featuring 12 women telling their true Jewish stories that have a thread to being – or having – a Mammaleh. The stories include good, bad, funny, sad, hilarious, and golden moments.
Stories From The Tribe is an annual show by TC Jewfolk. The show will always be in June and information about the show will always go to our email list first. So go to bit.ly/tcj-newsletter and sign up for our email list to be the first to know about show dates, calls for auditions, cast announcements, and when tickets go on sale.
Lonny Goldsmith (00:01)
TC Jew Folks Stories from the Tribe Twin Cities podcast is the behind-the-scenes look at each of the 12 storytellers from TC Jew Folks live on the Bima Show. Stories from the Tribe features 12 women on the Bima telling their true Jewish stories that have a thread to Jewish motherhood, whether it's about their own mother or about being one, and includes all of the ups and downs, highs and lows, laughs and tears that come with the real life experience of Jewish moms in the Twin Cities.
Lonny Goldsmith (00:31)
I'm your host, Lonnie Goldsmith, the editor-in-chief of Jew Folk Inc., and this is the Stories from the Tribe Twin Cities podcast. Before we hear from this week's storyteller,
Lonny Goldsmith (00:43)
This week's episode is sponsored by Bob Aronson for Folk Lab. Looking for a new way to connect with Jewish life and with other people in your community? Folk Lab, a Jew Folk Inc. initiative, brings Judaism, learning, and community together through experiences that are thoughtful, meaningful, and sometimes just plain fun. We've explored everything from Jewish meditation and Hebrew to shavuo cheesecake tasting, mahjong and meze.
Lonny Goldsmith (01:11)
and deep dives into Torah wisdom. There's always something new coming up. See what's next at tcjufolk.com slash folk lab dash classes.
Lonny Goldsmith (01:25)
This week's storyteller is Naomi Dean. Naomi grew up on a farm in Minnesota. She has taught English and Spanish in Brooklyn, New York, and Palo Alto, California. And she currently teaches ESL at Cedar Island Elementary, a public school in Maplegrove. Naomi lives with her husband Ethan, son Noah, and daughter Elsie in Plymouth.
Lonny Goldsmith (01:47)
You can find her gardening, reading, writing, or walking, as well as spending time with family, including her brother Eric, who took over the family farm. You can check out her poems in publications such as Poetica, Sylvia, The Madrigal, Collateral, Plainsongs, and Jamma.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (02:08)
Naomi Dean, welcome to the Stories from the Tribe podcast. Thank you for joining me. Thank you so much me. Very excited to get to talk to you. You are our f second storyteller in the show. This is the second episode of the season, but you're the first newcomer that was in the show. And I guess
Lonny Goldsmith (02:08)
Naomi Dean, welcome to the Stories from the Tribe Podcast. Thank you for joining me. Thank you so much for having me. Very excited to get to talk to you. You are our second storyteller in the show. This is the second episode of the season, but you're the first newcomer that was in the show. And I guess
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (02:30)
before we get to the actual show day itself, what is
Lonny Goldsmith (02:30)
Before we get to the actual show day itself, what is
Lonny Goldsmith (02:34)
what was the process for you i in making the decision to go forward and apply to be on the show and put a story out
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (02:34)
What was the process for you i in making the decision to go forward and apply to be in the show and put a story out?
Lonny Goldsmith (02:42)
there?
Lonny Goldsmith (02:43)
Yeah, so I've always loved reading and writing and listening to and telling stories. So that it was kind of a no brainer for me to do this. I I'm a teacher and so I we've actually been out of town for the previous years. so I had heard about
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (02:51)
to do this. I I'm a teacher and so I we've actually been out of town for the previous years. okay. Heard about
Lonny Goldsmith (02:59)
it and I'd heard this was so great and I'd never been able to e even attend, which I'd wanted to do. And so this was kind of the first year where I was gonna be around and so I just really wanted to go for it because I
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (03:00)
was so great and I'd never been able to even attend which I wanted to do. And so this was kind of the first year where I was gonna be around and so I just really wanted to go for it because I
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (03:12)
just love the idea of participating with a group of women who were gonna get to tell their stories to a captive audience. Which is which is great and it like I have long said from the first time we had it, this is arguably the best thing we do in terms of like giving
Lonny Goldsmith (03:13)
just love the idea of participating with a group of women who are gonna get to tell their stories to a captive audience. Which is which is great. And it is like I have long said from the first time we had it, this is arguably the best thing we do in terms of like giving giving
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (03:32)
Giving women, moms,
Lonny Goldsmith (03:34)
Yeah. people this space to tell their story and to be vulnerable about themselves. Yeah, it's an amazing opportunity.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (03:34)
people this space to tell their story and to be vulnerable about themselves. Yeah, it's an amazing opportunity.
Lonny Goldsmith (03:42)
And so for me to also I think to participate in a Jewish community event, I feel like that's so important right now for us to be able at this time to get together and yes, tell our stories but also listen to each other and kind of draw strengths from each other and so I I love that. That was appealing as well. Yeah. And as far as Jewish community events go, it's a
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (03:43)
So for me to also I think to participate in a Jewish community event, I feel like that's so important right now. Yeah for us to be able at this time to get together and yes, tell our stories but also listen to each other and kind of draw strengths from each other. And so I I loved that. That was appealing as well. Yeah. And as far as Jewish community events go, it's a
Lonny Goldsmith (04:03)
it's
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (04:03)
It's
Lonny Goldsmith (04:03)
It's different. It's not the typical It's fun. I listen. I think that's for you to say. Yeah. It is fun. Sorry to interrupt. Not at all. It is fun. But it it is n it it is just sort of different. It is it is sort of an outside the box kind of event for what people think of when they think of I'm using air quotes here in which you can't see folks listening. Yeah. Jewish community event. It is just different.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (04:03)
different. It's not the typical It's fun. I listen, I'm I'm not that's for you to say. it is fun. Sorry to interrupt. I'm no no, no, not at all. It is fun, but it it is n it it is just sort of different. It is a it is sort of an outside the box kind of event for what people think of when they think of using air quotes here which you can't see folks listening, Jewish community event. It is just different.
Lonny Goldsmith (04:30)
I agree. I agree. And I think
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (04:30)
I agree, I agree. And I think
Lonny Goldsmith (04:32)
what makes it so great w for me is that if I'm writing something, I often don't know is this going to reach an audience or is it if it does, who, what, when, where, how. In this case, yes, when I wrote it I didn't know if it would be accepted. But once I was selected for the show I was so excited because I was gonna get to share this with a live audience. And they were so welcoming and they were
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (04:33)
makes it so great w for me was that if I'm writing something I often don't know is this going to reach an audience or is it if it does who, what, when, where, how. In this case, yes, when I wrote it I didn't know if it would be accepted, but once I was selected for the show I was so excited because I was gonna get to share this with a live audience. Yeah. And they were so welcoming and they were
Lonny Goldsmith (04:55)
so responsive to all of the storytellers and so that's an amazing opportunity. It's and because you're writing you have written poetry, you have had work and published, th written material, as somebody who does written material for a living. Yes. Written material and and performative material are very, very different things. Yes.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (04:56)
So responsive to all of the storytellers, and so that's an amazing opportunity. It's and because you're writing, you have written poetry, you have had work in published, th written material, as somebody who does written material for a living, written material and and performative material are very, very different things. Yes.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (05:22)
You don't really know how something lands when people read it in magazine. That's exactly right. I mean it's wonderful to have something in a magazine, but you're not usually there with the person when they're reading it. Right. And for this, you you get that immediate response. I mean sure I had written it some months before and had gone through the editing process, but to read it live and to get to see, people are laughing at this part and I didn't know they'd laugh at that part or or they're they're moved by this part and and not just in my story, but in everyone's story, it it's amazing.
Lonny Goldsmith (05:22)
You don't really know how something lands when people read it in a magazine. That's exactly right. I mean it's wonderful to have something in a magazine, but you're not usually there with the person when they're reading it. Right. And for this, you you get that immediate response. I mean sure I had written it some months before and had gone through the editing process, but to read it live and to get to see, people are laughing at this part and I didn't know they'd laugh at that part or or they're they're moved by this part and and not just in my story, but in everyone's story, it it's amazing
Lonny Goldsmith (05:52)
To see that and feel that because it feels like the audience is there with you, laughing, and they are, they're laughing, they're crying, they're they they're feeling all the emotions with you, and that's an amazing feeling. I was gonna ask, how much of that feedback do you get on the Bima, either in the midst of or just after? Because obviously you're focused on the words and sort of staying present in that moment, but
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (05:52)
To see that and feel that because it feels like the audience is there with you laughing, and they are. They're laughing, they're crying, they're they they're feeling all the emotions with you, and that's an amazing feeling. And I was gonna ask, how much of that feedback do you get on the Bima, either in the midst of or just after? Because obviously you're focused on the words and sort of staying present in that moment, but
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (06:19)
Do you look up I I and everybody does it differently. I think some people I know from my own experience at least of reading Torah as an adult. I didn't look up. I read through it so quick. I'm not sure I took a breath in the midst of it. I wanted to to read my three or four lines and be done with it. This is different because this is
Lonny Goldsmith (06:19)
Do you look up I I and everybody does it differently. I think some people I know from my own experience at least of reading Torah as an adult. I didn't look up. I read through it so quick I'm not sure I took a breath in the midst of it. I wanted to to read my three or four lines and be done with it. This is different because this is
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (06:39)
more performative than reading Torah certainly is, but
Lonny Goldsmith (06:39)
more performative than reading Torah certainly. Yes. Is, but
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (06:44)
you wanna you don't wanna lose your place either. Like you wanna s y with that's always the fear. You look up and it's like, wait, where where am I? What am I supposed to be doing next? So how do you how do you take do you take that in, the feedback in in that way or do you just sort of are you reliant on what people say to you after?
Lonny Goldsmith (06:44)
you wanna you don't wanna lose your place either. Like you wanna y wait that's always the fear. You look up and say, wait, where where am I? What am I supposed to be doing next? So how do you how do you take do you take that in the feedback in in that way or do you just sort of are you reliant on what people say to you after?
Lonny Goldsmith (07:02)
I think it's both I think it's a balance between yes, you really want to keep your place and and not not lose where you're at. But then I was feeding off of the energy of the audience too and I was taking some of that in while still being aware, okay, now I'm on paragraph three and yes, you know, kind of marking my spot with my finger. So
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (07:04)
I mean yes, you really want to keep your place and and not not lose where you're at. But then I was feeding off of the energy of the audience too. And I was taking some of that in while still being aware, okay, now I'm on paragraph three and you know, kind of marking my spot with my finger. So
Lonny Goldsmith (07:21)
I think it's a combination, but I definitely fed off of the the energy and how the audience was responding. I think one of the great things is that with with twelve storytellers, you get five
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (07:21)
I think it's a combination, but I definitely fed off of that the energy and how the audience was responding. Yeah, I think one of the great things is that with with twelve storytellers, you get five
Lonny Goldsmith (07:34)
ish. Then it's a piece. And
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (07:34)
Ish minutes apiece. And
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (07:38)
the event isn't that long of an event. And maybe that's why the energy level stays so high the whole time. But I don't feel like at any point things dropped off measurably. It felt like people were really into it and there was just sort of
Lonny Goldsmith (07:38)
the event isn't that long of an event, b and maybe that's why the energy level stays so high the whole time. But I don't feel like at any point things dropped off measurably. It felt like people were really into it and there was just sort of
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (07:55)
at least a low level of electricity that sort of kept kept everyone into it in the room. I agree.
Lonny Goldsmith (07:55)
at least a low level of electricity that sort of kept kept everyone into it in the room. I agree
Lonny Goldsmith (08:03)
and I felt that throughout because I felt that certainly with my story but with with everyone's story. And I was right there and I felt like a participant with with everyone, you know, as the as an audience member with everyone's. And part of that is too is honestly Galit's magic in how she structures the the stories and you know at our rehearsals we went through different iterations of
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (08:08)
story. And I was right there and I felt like a participant with with everyone, you know, as the as an audience member with everyone. And part of that is too is honestly Galit's magic in how she structures yes. The the stories and you know at our rehearsals we went through different iterations of
Lonny Goldsmith (08:25)
the order and really I think landed in a great spot where she kept the energy kind of going and the feelings up and down and everybody was right there for all of them I think in part because of
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (08:25)
the order and really I think landed in a great spot where she kept the energy kind of going and the feelings up and down and everybody was right there for all of them I think in part because of
Lonny Goldsmith (08:36)
of what she did and then in part because of the variety of the stories and the variety of feelings often even in one story you're laughing you're crying you're feeling you know I mean yeah sometimes in the same story. absolutely you know a lot of feelings in
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (08:37)
she did then in her because of the variety of the stories and the variety of feelings, often even in one story, you're laughing, you're crying. Yes. You know, I mean it's a sometimes in the same story. Yeah, absolutely. There are a lot of feelings in the room for everybody.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (08:54)
I mean and from where we were sitting, it it's sort of fun to look over and see like to our right was was one of the families who who I know
Lonny Goldsmith (08:55)
I mean from where we were sitting, it it's sort of fun to look over and see like to our right was was one of the families who who
Lonny Goldsmith (09:07)
I know now hadn't heard their daughter's story ahead of time. And they were just cackling with
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (09:07)
now hadn't heard their daughter's story ahead of time and they were just cackling with
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (09:16)
laughter, which I love it. And it's like, I suppose if you're the storyteller, you don't exactly know how it's gonna hit if you haven't shared it. Correct. particularly with the family that it's about. And
Lonny Goldsmith (09:17)
I love it. And it's like, I suppose if you're the storyteller, you don't exactly know how it's gonna hit. Correct. If you haven't shared it. Correct. particularly with the family that it's about. Yes. and up.
Lonny Goldsmith (09:31)
Everybody's story comes from a very personal place, which is obviously the beauty and part of the magic of this event. And I think this was
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (09:31)
Everybody's story comes from a very personal place, which is obviously the beauty and part of the magic of this event. And I think this was
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (09:40)
what was really personal, and what we're about to hear in yours is that you because you are a Jew by choice, you you bring a
Lonny Goldsmith (09:40)
what was really personal and what we're about to hear in yours is that you y because you are a Jew by choice, you you bring
Lonny Goldsmith (09:50)
a different perspective than
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (09:50)
different perspective than
Lonny Goldsmith (09:52)
many of the storytellers are going to to their Judaism and their their Jewish parenting and their Jewish upbringing, in part because yours started at a very different time than most other people's. Absolutely. Yeah, that that that is true, for sure. How did going through the process, obviously w
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (09:52)
many of the storytellers are going to to their Judaism and their their Jewish parenting and their Jewish upbringing, in part because yours started at a very different time than most other people's. Absolutely. Yeah. That that that is true. For sure. How did a going through the process, obviously w
Lonny Goldsmith (10:10)
you know, i it goes through the editing and what you started with for the audition is not where it ends, it never is. Correct. That's okay. Yep. but in terms of like
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (10:11)
you know, i it goes through the editing and what you started with for the audition is not where it ends, it never is, and that's okay. but in terms of like
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (10:20)
the the workshopping process and as the group sort of came together and and told their stories, how how did that piece of it feel? 'Cause I'm always sort of interested how each year's group sort of the coming together process. It felt very supportive.
Lonny Goldsmith (10:20)
The the workshopping process and as the group sort of came together and and told their stories, how how did that piece of it feel? Because I'm always sort of interested how each year's group sort of the coming together process. It felt very supportive.
Lonny Goldsmith (10:36)
It just felt like I was part of this group and for me that was part of the appeal too. Was like I can be part of this group of twelve women telling their stories and I didn't know yet who the people were gonna be or what exactly to expect, but I it
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (10:36)
It just felt like I was part of this group. And for me that was part of the appeal. Yeah. Was like I could be part of this group of 12 women telling their stories. And I didn't know yet who the people were gonna be or what exactly to expect, but I it
Lonny Goldsmith (10:50)
it fulfilled that hope of being something that was very supportive. Everyone was very welcoming. some of the women in the group said to me specifically, like, I'm so glad that you wrote about, you know, becoming Jewish and about that specific kind of experience.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (10:50)
it fulfilled that hope of being something that was very supportive. Everyone was very welcoming. some of the women in the group said to me specifically, like, I'm so glad that you wrote about you know becoming Jewish and that specific kind of experience.
Lonny Goldsmith (11:06)
And that just meant a lot to me. And so I just felt like we were there for each other, cheering each other on and
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (11:06)
And that just meant a lot to me. And so I just felt like we were there for each other, cheering each other on. And
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (11:14)
for me that was a huge part of the the joy of the process. That's great. And it's like again, it's not a it's not a sport, because I'm gonna use a sports map, but it it is a team it is a team effort. It's not an individual effort. You you you're telling your story as an individual, but making the show great.
Lonny Goldsmith (11:15)
For me that was a huge part of the the joy of the process. That's right. And it's like again, it's not a you use a it's not a sport, good when I use sports memory, but it it is a team it is a team effort. It's not an individual effort. You y your story is an individual, but making the show great
Lonny Goldsmith (11:34)
Yeah.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (11:34)
And everything fitting together and coming together how it's supposed to, that's the team effort of it.
Lonny Goldsmith (11:34)
And everything fitting together and coming together how it's supposed to, that's the team effort evidence.
Lonny Goldsmith (11:40)
Absolutely. It's almost like I don't know, a you know, a s a swimming competition or something where people have their individual events, but you are there as a team and you are cheering each other on and just encouraging encouraging one another. And so it it did feel like a team team event. In the end. Absolutely. For sure. well I think this is an excellent time.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (11:44)
swimming competition or something where people have their individual events but you are there as a team. And you are cheering each other on and just encouraging encouraging one another. And so it it did feel like a team. absolut I think it absolutely does. Absolutely. For sure. well I think this is an excellent time.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (12:04)
Naomi, we are going to hear your story harvest. My son, like me, is allergic to the world.
Lonny Goldsmith (12:04)
Naomi, we are going to hear your story, Harvest. My son, like me, is allergic to the world,
Lonny Goldsmith (12:13)
especially cats, dogs, dust, and pollen.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (12:13)
Especially cats, dogs, dust, and pollen.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (12:17)
As the nurse parent, when his allergies flurred up and Allegra and Flonese weren't cutting it, I orchestrated the steam treatment. I would boil water, swirl it in the sink, and add a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint. I draped a towel over his shoulders and instructed him to breathe in deeply.
Lonny Goldsmith (12:17)
As the nurse parent, when his allergies flared up and Allegra and Flonese weren't cutting it, I orchestrated the steam treatment. I would boil water, swirl it in the sink, and add a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint. I draped a towel over his shoulders and instructed him to breathe in deeply.
Lonny Goldsmith (12:35)
As he got a little older, he said he didn't need the towel. I explained that it would help trap the steam. He looked up at me and said, I thought it was a Jewish thing.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (12:35)
As he got a little older, he said he didn't need the towel. I explained that it would help trap the steam. He looked up at me and said, I thought it was a Jewish thing.
Lonny Goldsmith (12:45)
A smattering of years earlier, our son's briss was at our home in California, our daughter's baby naming at Bait Shalom. In what is arguably the most deeply Jewish ritual I've been part of, when we moved out of our Bay Area house as Noah turned two, we found pieces of Costco lemon cake that my mother-in-law had purchased for the briss and squirreled away just in case in the back of the freezer. Also, the crafty parent, I made mini Torah scroll covers from felt and tinfoil.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (12:45)
A smattering of years earlier, our son's brisk was at our home in California, our daughter's baby naming at Beachelom. In what is arguably the most deeply Jewish ritual I've been part of, when we moved out of our Bay Area house as Noah turned two, we found pieces of Costco lemon cake that my mother-in-law had purchased for the briss and squirreled away just in case in the back of the freezer. Also, the crafty parent, I made mini Torah scroll covers from felt and tinfoil
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (13:11)
for their consecrations. Our families joined us for their banana.
Lonny Goldsmith (13:11)
For their consecrations. Our families joined us for their bene
Lonny Goldsmith (13:15)
mitzvote in Jerusalem. Yet I think it is the steam treatment that is my favorite Jewish ritual. It is ordinary, medicinal even, but my son figured it tied into Judaism somehow. Like every Jewish tradition in my life, this one was not passed on to me from my parents or my grandparents. From them, I learned to pick rock, walk beans, and make lessa, and about the healing effects of fresh air and exercise.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (13:17)
Yet I think it is the steam treatment that is my favorite Jewish ritual. It is ordinary, medicinal even, but my son figured it tied into Judaism somehow. Like every Jewish tradition in my life, this one was not passed on to me from my parents or my grandparents. From them, I learned to pick rock, walk beans, and make lessa, and about the healing effects of fresh air and exercise.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (13:41)
Also, there is no such thing as bad weather. You just have to dress for it.
Lonny Goldsmith (13:41)
Also, there is no such thing as bad weather. You just have to dress for it.
Lonny Goldsmith (13:46)
As for the steam treatment, to my knowledge, it has never been passed down. Lador Vador. This is the story of how my son came to believe that I could pass a Jewish ritual, even one that isn't, on to him. It is the story of how I came to have a Jewish husband, son, and daughter, and a Jewish wife.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (13:46)
As for the steam treatment, to my knowledge, it has never been passed down. Lador Vador. This is the story of how my son came to believe that I could pass a Jewish ritual, even one that isn't, on to him. It is the story of how I came to have a Jewish husband, son, and daughter, and a Jewish wife.
Lonny Goldsmith (14:04)
October.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (14:04)
October,
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (14:05)
freshman year, St. Paul. Campus of College brochure. Full-on Crayola, autumnal selection. Scarlet, amber, marigold, only the crunchiest of leaves underfoot. Sun, chill, crimson cheeks all at once. I'm making my plaid rag sock flannel the best version of itself. Tattered and holy, patched up in all the right places. I'm trying for the same for myself.
Lonny Goldsmith (14:05)
Freshman year, St. Paul. Campus a college brochure. Full-on Crayola, autumnal selection. Scarlet, amber, marigold, only the crunchiest of leaves underfoot. Sun, chill, crimson cheeks all at once. I'm making my plaid rag sock flannel the best version of itself. Tattered and holy, patched up in all the right places. I'm trying for the same for myself.
Lonny Goldsmith (14:28)
In my flannel, in the Kirk Courtyard, I come across what appears to be an upscale shack.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (14:28)
In my flannel, in the Kirk courtyard, I come across what appears to be an upscale shack.
Lonny Goldsmith (14:34)
I love the dangling gourds, the large lumpy lemon, and the palm fronds waving about, star glitter overhead. But even more than everyone welcomes me in seems to want to know my story. It turns out that I'm one of the few, the only, really, harvest celebrants whose family is simultaneously harvesting 90 miles away.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (14:34)
I love the dangling gourds, the large lumpy lemon, and the palm fronds waving about, star glitter overhead. But even more that everyone welcomes me in seems to want to know my story. It turns out that I'm one of the few, the only really harvest celebrants whose family is simultaneously harvesting 90 miles away.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (14:54)
It appears no one else has completed a mandatory junior high egg class or participated in Future Farmers of America or 4-H. I have yet to meet another farmer.
Lonny Goldsmith (14:54)
It appears no one else has completed a mandatory junior high ag class or participated in Future Farmers of America or 4-H. I have yet to meet another farmer's
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (15:04)
Farmer's daughter. It's 1992. The religious intermarriage debate is raging. Later in the 90s, I'll be told not to bother trying to find a rabbi to officiate at my wedding to my husband who, spoiler alert, was also in that sookka. I'm blissfully unaware of all of that.
Lonny Goldsmith (15:04)
daughter. It's 1992. The religious intermarriage debate is raging. Later in the 90s, I'll be told not to bother trying to find a rabbi to officiate at my wedding to my husband who, spoiler alert, was also in that sukkah. I'm blissfully unaware of all of that.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (15:21)
I just know that there's a group of people celebrating harvest, and I'm lucky enough to be caught up in the middle of it.
Lonny Goldsmith (15:21)
I just know that there's a group of people celebrating harvest and I'm lucky enough to be caught up in the middle of it.
Lonny Goldsmith (15:27)
I'm missing my favorite time of the year on the farm, when I ride for hours, mostly in silence, because we're Scandinavian, in the combine with my dad, or in the grain truck to the elevator with my uncle. I help my mom make supper, ride the gravel all the miles to the field, so my father and his brothers can sit with us, enjoy some hot dish, tell us about the breakdowns, the rain showers, how the yields are coming in.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (15:27)
I'm missing my favorite time of the year on the farm, when I ride for hours, mostly in silence, because we're Scandinavian, in the combine with my dad, or in the grain truck to the elevator with my uncle. I help my mom make supper, ride the gravel all the miles to the field, so my father and his brothers can sit with us, enjoy some hot dish, tell us about the breakdowns, the rain showers, how the yields are coming in.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (15:52)
Back on campus, the Jewish students at McAllister College invite me in. I miss baking.
Lonny Goldsmith (15:52)
Back on campus, the Jewish students at McAllister College invite me in. I miss baking,
Lonny Goldsmith (15:57)
so they asked me to braid hollow with them for the campus Shabbat dinners. A small group, marginally organized, it seems they really could use an extra pair of hands. Not wanting to let them down, I show up. It doesn't hurt that being Lutheran isn't exactly working out, and unbeknownst to me, I'm looking for something. There is both pain and relief in knowing that I no longer fit into my faith, which saw my great grandparents through and
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (15:57)
So they asked me to braid hollow with them for the campus Shabbat dinners. A small group, marginally organized, it seems they really could use an extra pair of hands. Not wanting to let them down, I show up. It doesn't hurt that being Lutheran isn't exactly working out, and unbeknownst to me, I'm looking for something. There is both pain and relief in knowing that I no longer fit into my faith, which saw my great-grandparents through
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (16:22)
when they could no longer wring a living from their patches of land in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Lonny Goldsmith (16:22)
When they could no longer wring a living from their patches of land in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (16:28)
Inlanders, I imagine them looking out over the Atlantic for the first time, praying to survive it, then promptly leaving it behind to work the ink-dark dirt of their new country. I emerge generations later from the Mikvah, slightly chilled, back in St. Paul. Before the formalities, I've had a healthy dose of learning. Intro to Judaism in Brooklyn,
Lonny Goldsmith (16:28)
Inlanders, I imagine them looking out over the Atlantic for the first time, praying to survive it, then promptly leaving it behind to work the ink-dark dirt of their new country. I emerge generations later from the mikveh, slightly chilled, back in St. Paul. Before the formalities, I've had a healthy dose of learning, intro to Judaism in Brooklyn.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (16:50)
the equally imaginatively named Judaism II.
Lonny Goldsmith (16:50)
The equally imaginatively named Judaism II.
Lonny Goldsmith (16:55)
The very California hands-on Judaism at Hillel, where we nodded seat-seat and turned bamboo into Mizuzo.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (16:55)
The very California hands-on Judaism at Hillwell, where we nodded seat seat and turned bamboo into Mazuzo.
Lonny Goldsmith (17:03)
Contrary to what I'd been led to believe, the rabbis I met from New York to California to Minnesota didn't tell me to leave. In fact, they seemed glad I was there. They were eager to teach me, sure, but like the best teachers everywhere, I think they wanted to learn a little too. Perhaps they wondered.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (17:03)
Contrary to what I've been led to believe, the rabbis I met from New York to California to Minnesota didn't tell me to leave. In fact, they seemed glad I was there. They were eager to teach me, sure, but like the best teachers everywhere, I think they wanted to learn a little too. Perhaps they wondered
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (17:20)
what it's like to come from a place, not so far away on a map, but different in custom, in accent, in thinking, how to come from a life broken in pieces, whole in others, and to choose a people, ancient.
Lonny Goldsmith (17:20)
What it's like to come from a place not so far away on a map, but different in custom, in accent, in thinking, how to come from a life broken in pieces, whole in others, and to choose a people, ancient
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (17:33)
and modern. In the end, they told me they recognized me from Mount Sinai.
Lonny Goldsmith (17:33)
and modern. In the end, they told me they recognized me from Mount Sinai.
Lonny Goldsmith (17:38)
I doubt they were picturing Judaism as hot water and eucalyptus and peppermint like Noah, but they seemed to believe I could pass on Jewish traditions to my own kids, so I believed it too.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (17:38)
I doubt they were picturing Judaism as hot water and eucalyptus and peppermint like Noah, but they seemed to believe I could pass on Jewish traditions to my own kids, so I believed it too.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (17:49)
Lighting up December for eight nights, draping a towel and later a talus over my son's shoulders, dipping parsley in bitter tears would all come later, thanks to everyone who invited me into the sukkah and celebrated harvest with me in a courtyard on a starry night long, long ago.
Lonny Goldsmith (17:49)
Lighting up December for eight nights, draping a towel and later a talus over my son's shoulders, dipping parsley in bitter tears would all come later. Thanks to everyone who invited me into the sukkah and celebrated harvest with me in a courtyard on a starry night long, long ago. It
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (18:10)
It is such a lovely story. It is, you know, sort of the best of what you hope for out of us as Jews inviting
Lonny Goldsmith (18:10)
is such a lovely story. It is, you know, sort of the best of what you hope for out of us as Jews inviting.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (18:19)
in the stranger. And also like what you hope for like we both have kids in college. We are about to have second kids in a year or so from now going to college as well. And like that's what you
Lonny Goldsmith (18:19)
the stranger and also like what you hope for like we both have kids in college, we were about to have second kids in a year or so from now going to college as well. Yes. And like that's what you
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (18:33)
want for them too, is that they find their people.
Lonny Goldsmith (18:33)
want for them too is that they find their people. Absolutely.
Lonny Goldsmith (18:38)
This is what I would hope for my own kids in their own version of you know the story. Right. Yes. Obviously like your your kids didn't work the fields. No. Like like you did. and the experiences are all very, you know, individual and circumstances are. But of course. It is the it is the the story of the Old Testament. In so many ways. Yes. That we talk
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (18:40)
In their own version of the story. Right. Obviously, like your your kids didn't work the fields like like you did. and the experiences are all very, you know, individual and circumstances are. But i it it's sort of the welcoming the stranger. It is the it is the the story of the old testament in so many ways that we talk
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (19:02)
about talk about now even. It's it is all part of it. It all sort of ties together.
Lonny Goldsmith (19:04)
about now even it's it is all part of it. It all sort of ties together. Yes.
Lonny Goldsmith (19:09)
One of the other things that struck me in the story is that especially when you describe campus at at McAllister, yeah. That it's clear you're a poetry writer. Yeah. It is just the the sort of the staccato poetry and this is like
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (19:09)
One of the other things that struck me in the story is that especially when you describe campus at at McAllister that it's clear you're a poetry writer. There it is just the the the sort of the staccato poetry and this is like
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (19:29)
y I'm not c trying to come off as like a literary critic. That's that ain't it at all. But it there is just there there was sort of a rhythm, a pattern, the way it is
Lonny Goldsmith (19:30)
Trying to come off as like a literary critic. That's that ain't it at all. No, that's fine. But there is just there there was sort of a rhythm, a pattern, the way it is
Lonny Goldsmith (19:39)
painted a picture, and I'm sitting there in Bethel going, Yeah, okay. I feel both warm and cold, and it's fall. And yeah. Like it all sort of just
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (19:39)
painted a picture and I'm sitting there in Bethel going, Yeah, okay. I feel both warm and cold and it's fall. A and yeah, like it all sort of just
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (19:53)
f you feel it. Thank you. Yeah, I have written mostly poetry
Lonny Goldsmith (19:54)
You feel it. Thank you. Yeah, I have written mostly poetry
Lonny Goldsmith (19:58)
for a long time. I I took a personal essay writing class in college. I was an English major with, you know, concentration in creative writing. So I did did all the writing classes. but it's been it's been maybe not.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (20:01)
Took a personal essay writing class in college. I was an English major with you know concentration in creative writing, so I did did all the writing classes. but it's been it's been maybe not
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (20:13)
quite those 30 years, but it's been quite a while where I have just focused on poetry for the for quite a while, yeah, quite a few years. But this was to me kind of a new challenge and a challenge to go back to something that I hadn't done for a long time, and that was something else that appealed to me about
Lonny Goldsmith (20:14)
quite those thirty years, but it's been quite a while where I've just focused on poetry for the for quite a quite a few years. But this was to me kind of a new challenge and a challenge to go back to something that I hadn't done for a long time and that was something else that appealed to me about
Lonny Goldsmith (20:28)
about trying to do this. Well, I think it it was definitely it definitely landed and it definitely resonated and it continues to with me even as somebody who grew up Jewish,
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (20:28)
trying to do this. Well, I think i it was definitely it definitely landed and it definitely resonated and it continues to with me even as somebody who grew up Jewish,
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (20:42)
day school kid, the whole bit, like there is still something that's like, and and I think it's a great reminder to people that l ninety miles is like a whole world away.
Lonny Goldsmith (20:42)
Day school kid, the whole bit. Like there is still something that's like, And I think it's a great reminder to people that l ninety miles is like a whole world away
Lonny Goldsmith (20:55)
for a lot of people that they just you don't really know how how other people come up in the world.
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (20:55)
For a lot of people that they just you don't really know how how other people come up in the world
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (21:03)
until you get to know them. Absolutely. It's a completely different world. I mean, I was raised in the church Lutheran church where my grandmother was confirmed in Swedish in the in the twenties, right? Yeah. And so when my grandfather married her and he
Lonny Goldsmith (21:03)
until you get to know them. Absolutely. It's a completely different world. I mean, I was raised in the church, Lutheran church where my grandmother was confirmed in Swedish in the in the twenties, right? And so when my grandfather married her and he
Lonny Goldsmith (21:19)
wasn't Swedish, then it was okay, I'm gonna go to this church but
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (21:19)
wasn't Swedish, then it was okay, I'm gonna go to this church, but there
Lonny Goldsmith (21:23)
There you know, people aren't really speaking a lot of English here. And so that's kind of the the world that I that I came from and it's a it is a very different it's a different rhythm of life. it's completely different way of looking at things, I think. But also, I mean something else that really strikes me is that your your ancestors who
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (21:24)
you know, people aren't really speaking a lot of English here. Yeah. So that's kind of the the world that I that I came from and it's a it is a very different it's a different rhythm of life. Yeah. It's completely different way of looking at things, I think. But also, I mean something else that really strikes me is that your y your ancestors who
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (21:47)
Work the land in Scandinavia and were looking for a better country and a better place to do it. Yes. Landed here, and that is the same different religions, but like Jews also ended up picking up and going elsewhere looking for a better life for them and their family, too. So they're there the parallels
Lonny Goldsmith (21:47)
worked the land in Scandinavia looking for a better country and a better place to do it. Yes. Landed here. And that is the same different religions. But like Jews also ended up picking up and going elsewhere looking for a better life for them and their family too. So there there are the parallels
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (22:09)
are so striking. Absolutely. My family was not escaping pogroms.
Lonny Goldsmith (22:09)
are so striking. Absolutely. My family was not escaping pogroms,
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (22:14)
So that was that's a difference. Although so many so many immigrants have come here for opportunity. Yeah. And in my family, literally people were starving. I mean there was famine in Scandinavia and there wasn't enough land to go around. And so often it was the younger siblings who came because typically the oldest would inherit the land and then there just wasn't enough for everybody to kind of make a living. And so they came here for opportunity and they came here to to feed their families. Right. You know.
Lonny Goldsmith (22:14)
so that was that's a difference. Although so many so many immigrants have come here for opportunity. And in my family, literally people were starving. I mean there was famine in Scandinavia and there wasn't enough land to go around. And so often it was the younger siblings who came because typically the oldest would inherit the land and then there just wasn't enough for everybody to kind of make a living. And so they came here for opportunity.
Lonny Goldsmith (22:39)
and they came here to to feed their families. Right. You know? I I mean it's all
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (22:44)
about family looking for a better life for their lineage, if you will.
Lonny Goldsmith (22:44)
about family looking for a better life for their lineage. Absolutely. Yes. And like
Lonny Goldsmith (22:52)
different religions different at the time, certainly, but different I mean, and it's
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (22:52)
Different religions differ at the time certainly, but different I mean, and it's
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (22:57)
so much of the immigrant story we we see today too. It is, absolutely. And as I'm a teacher of immigrants 'cause I'm an ESL teacher. yeah. So I I see a lot of parallels in in my students' stories and even from my you know, compared with my family and from a lot of the other, you know, Jewish stories that I've heard of people coming here. So it's it's ultimately we're a we are a nation of immigrants. We are.
Lonny Goldsmith (22:57)
so much of the immigrant story we we see today too. It is, absolutely. And as I'm a teacher of immigrants 'cause I'm an ESL teacher. So I I see a lot of parallels in in my students' stories and even from my you know, compared with my family and from a lot of the other, you know, Jewish stories that I've heard of of people coming here. So it's it's ultimately we're a we are a nation of immigrants. And
ZOOM0006 Tr1 (23:23)
So we see a lot that. Absolutely. Well, Naomi, this was a a truly lovely story to hear it again. is fantastic. Thank you for sharing it with us and thanks for joining me on the pod this week. Thank you so much for having me.
Lonny Goldsmith (23:23)
So we see a lot of that. Absolutely. Well, Naomi, this was a a truly lovely story to hear it again. is fantastic. Thank you for sharing it with us and thanks for joining me on the pod this week. Thank you so much for having
Lonny Goldsmith (23:35)
me. It's been a pleasure.