Our Jewish Lifestyles: Hannah Berger

Follow along as we interview members of The Well community to learn more about their Jewish lifestyles and the things that make them meaningful! For our first interview, we sat down with Hannah Berger.

TW: To start off, tell us a little about yourself. How do you spend your days?

HB: Hi, I’m Hannah Berger. I live in Ferndale, Michigan, and am starting a new Social Work job at Jewish Family Services in Oak Park next week. A couple things I love to do: rock climb, cook with friends, play board games, and learn about history (I’m currently hooked on Sam Aranow’s youtube channel about Jewish history. I also really love cats. It’s my dream to someday foster kittens!

TW: How would you describe your Jewish lifestyle? What things (celebrations, customs, hobbies, community involvements, media consumption, etc.) do you participate in that makes your Jewish lifestyle meaningful and unique to you?

HB: Well, I grew up in a reform congregation in Cincinnati (shoutout Cincy!), am from an interfaith family, and now gravitate towards reconstructionist traditions and ideology. Fun fact, when my parents got married, they had a Catholic ceremony and my older sister was even baptized before they decided to dive more deeply into Judaism! Talk about a 180. Now that I live away from home, every Friday night without fail, I get a phone call from my parents who recite the Shabbat blessing over the children to my sister and I.

Pre-pandemic, I made a point to attend congregation T’chiyah for their monthly musical shabbat and accompanying vegetarian potlucks. I absolutely love the music and how they make the Jewish prayers and service relevant to modern life. My fondest memory at T’chiyah was learning about Talmud and how to make an excellent quinoa salad from congressman Andy Levin.

Something I’ve incorporated into my Jewish life in the past year are The Well’s weekly “Nourish” sessions on Thursday mornings. Rabbi Jeff leads a small group of us in song, prayer, reflection, and also a place to form connection. Nourish is the BEST.

While I would not consider myself particularly devout, I am devoted to Jewish values of community, history, exploration, scholarship, and tikkun olam. I also enjoy building connections outside of my Jewish communities and teaching and learning from other traditions equitably.

 Scholarly endeavors and learning also feel extremely Jewish to me, no matter what subject I’m learning about. I had the tremendous privilege of working at the American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati, OH, while in college. Getting to work closely with the documents, recordings, and memorabilia from the greatest American Jewish leaders and communities fanned an interest in our history that has shaped my life immeasurably.

TW: Do you have a favorite Jewish memory or a particular special moment you like to look back on?

HB: YES. In 2014, I had the honor of visiting the cities of Berlin and Prague with a delegation of trailblazing US female rabbis, including Sally Priesand, Sandy Sasso, Amy Eilberg, and Sara Hurwitz, to honor the memory of German-born Regina Jonas, the first woman ordained a rabbi in modern history. Learning her story and tracing her path alongside some of the most brilliant scholars and Jewish leaders alive today was an indescribable experience that I will treasure forever. This trip inspired my passion for Jewish feminism, leadership, history, and how I want to contribute to Jewish life in the future.

TW: Looking ahead to 2022, what are you excited to explore or grow in your Jewish lifestyle? (Something to celebrate, something new to try, a question you want to explore?) What led to your interest in this new thing?

HB: One thing I am looking forward to is being able to return to synagogue in person. I am so excited that T’chiyah is moving to Ferndale! Something else I have been navigating is being in an interfaith relationship. Since my parents make it look so easy, I thought it would be simple! Turns out it is a lot more complicated than I had thought, but so rewarding as well to share my culture and traditions with my boyfriend.

TW: What's your favorite movie or TV show that represents Jewishness or a Jewish experience?

HB: I am so glad you asked this question, because I cannot overstate how much I love the show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” starring Rachel Bloom. Despite the seemingly offensive title, the show is a really thoughtful portrayal of a Jewish woman working through her mental health, trauma, and romantic relationships. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend makes me feel represented, and is a wonderful show to bond over especially with other Jewish young women!