Board Member Profile: Athena Hays — Bet Shalom Congregation

With Eric Bressler

Thank you for serving on Bet Shalom’s Board of Trustees, Athena! Let's help the congregation get to know you better with this interview. Please tell us about your family, your history in Minnesota, and when you joined Bet Shalom.

My family moved to Minnesota when I was five, and we immediately joined Bet Shalom. My parents are David Feldshon and Archelle Georgiou. We created an incredible community of friends and chosen-family who we’ve grown with for the last nearly 30(!) years. My husband Tom, who is not Jewish, felt so welcomed by Rabbi Locketz—he officiated our wedding! When I was pregnant with my first child, we toured Bet Shalom’s preschool and it already felt like home. Both of our kids attended the preschool, and it has been so fun to connect with new and old friends in the building once again!

And your professional life?

I am a photographer and event planner! I mainly focus on wedding photography and wedding planning, but also photograph families, events, and really any happy person! This is my tenth year in the wedding industry :)

Tell us about your previous involvement at Bet Shalom.

I had my bat mitzvah at Bet Shalom, was heavily involved in BeSTY, and then grew into leadership with NFTY Northern. I joined the temple as an adult once I was pregnant with my first child, and have worn a bunch of hats since!! I have planned the Annual Fundraiser for two years in a row, worked in the Preschool, my husband helps program the live stream for services, and now I’m leading the committee for 20’s and 30’s young adults!

And now you’re on the Bet Shalom Board of Trustees. What has your experience been like?
It is such a diverse group of people, and I really appreciate seeing everyone come together to provide different opinions and ideas of how to move the temple forward. I feel so honored to have been given the opportunity to interview each rabbinical candidate! They were all fantastic candidates, and experiencing the discussion around which person was right for us, and the future of Bet Shalom, was something I never thought I’d get to partake in—at least at such a young age. Adam is an incredible president, leader, and visionary. I’m grateful for the ways he is shaping our leadership!

What do you do in your spare time?

With two young kids and running my own business, sometimes I don’t think spare time exists!! BUT, I’m trying to incorporate little pockets of time this year for myself! I do attend Barre exercise classes nearly every day—and actually, another preschool mom is my barre instructor! I LOVE designing each room in my home, and have recently discovered how fun a garden can be!

Favorite Jewish Holiday and foods?

I’m a big fan of Sukkot!! I absolutely love picnics, so naturally, eating outside is a favorite way to spend the afternoon or evening. I also love Hanukkah, and attempting to describe what a miracle is to toddlers. I’m a BIG fan of kugel—specifically with golden raisins!! And the soggy middle of the kugel. Definitely not the crispy edges!

Final thoughts?

Particularly this last year, having a strong Jewish identity and a place for my family to feel loved and welcomed for being Jewish has been incredibly meaningful. It is something I cherish and hope that my kids will cherish as they grow older.