Board Member Profile: Geoff Getnick

Thank you for serving on Bet Shalom’s Board of Trustees, Geoff! 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 wife, Regina, and I met in college in 1993. After college we were fortunate to attend medical school and then residencies together. We got married in May 2001 during the short window between school and training. We came to Minnesota in 2006 at the urging of Regina’s sister, who had married someone from this area, and we’ve been thrilled to call Minnesota home since then!  We had our first child, Noah, just before moving to Minnesota (and now he’s headed off to college himself this fall).  Abigail joined our family in 2007 and Jonah in 2010. Our home life is often filled with craziness, as we’re all usually running in different directions, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything. We pride ourselves on spending as much time together as possible, enjoying things like hiking, alpine skiing, water skiing, running, playing games, doing puzzles and escape rooms, and taking walks with our dog, Rocky. We joined Bet Shalom in 2007, and it was the exceptionally warm, welcoming feel that Rabbis Locketz and Cohen gave us that made the decision to join an easy one for us. We first experienced Bet Shalom at Tot Shabbat where we became close with 4 other couples, all of whom were in interfaith marriages.  All three of our children have had b’nei mitzvot at Bet Shalom, and they’ve each continued their Jewish educations and have volunteered (or will volunteer) as madrichim.

And your professional life?

Regina and I are both physicians in the Twin Cities. Regina is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists in Edina and Burnsville, where she has several partners, including her sister! I am an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat physician) at Renew ENT and Hearing Center, where I practice with three other ENT physicians. Regina and I strive to maintain the challenging balance between our personal and professional lives, and we find tremendous fulfillment in our roles in helping our patients every day.

Tell us about your previous involvement at Bet Shalom.

Regina and I have always tried to be as involved as possible in our children's Jewish education. It was a highlight of my weekend to spend a few minutes each Sunday morning at the kids’ service, enjoying prayer and singing with Shana. We have enjoyed attending family functions at Bet Shalom, including High Holiday services, Hanukkah dinners, Seders and Purim carnivals.

And now you’re on the Bet Shalom Board of Trustees. What has your experience been like?

Being on the Board at Bet Shalom has been exceptionally rewarding. I continue to be tremendously impressed with the dedication that the other Board members and the executive committee show to Bet Shalom. Due to my professional and other commitments I have sometimes been unable to attend meetings, and I have always been treated kindly and reassured by those around me that whatever I can give of myself is appreciated. 

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with Regina, Noah, Abigail and Jonah more than anything else.  Running, alpine skiing and water skiing are among the activities that I love outside of work.  One of the most rewarding things I’ve done is coach Jonah’s summer and fall baseball teams from 2018 to now.  Baseball is a game that teaches life lessons of sportsmanship, teamwork and perseverance, and it’s amazing to see the progress that kids can make in only one season!

Favorite Jewish Holiday and foods?

Hanukkah has always been a favorite of mine, lighting candles and singing songs with Regina and our kids and enjoying fried foods. Passover seder has been another favorite as Regina organizes a great celebration, and we enjoy the evening together with 2 or 3 other families from our kids’ school.

Final thoughts?

Thank you for your kind request to get to know a bit about me! I’m extremely thankful for Bet Shalom and the tremendous support that our clergy, staff and congregation provide our family regularly!