New Member Profile: Sam and Abbie Slotsky

What are your names and any nicknames?

Samuel (Sam) Slotsky, Abigail (Abbie) Slotsky, Buster Oliver, Max Slotsky, Harper Slotsky, and our cat, James Gandolfini (Jim) Slotsky 

YOU: Tell us about you and your family.

Abbie and I (Sam) both originate from Sioux City, Iowa and have been in this area for about 14 years. I originally relocated to Eagan to begin my software development career after graduating from the University of Iowa. I still develop software for a living, but on most days I'd rather be playing saxophone. I have a mild chess habit and have been known to enjoy a bike ride. I don't have nearly enough time or executive function to support my myriad other interests, but I'd love to talk to you about them some time.

As a family we enjoy things like camping and walking slowly through the woods to look at things. We love bugs, toads, birds, squirrels, and critters of all sorts. This summer we are working on replacing parts of our grass lawn with pollinator friendly plant life. We dislike the car dependent lifestyle of the Twin Cities and wish we could walk or ride a train to more of the places we like to go.

BELONG: What does belonging to a synagogue mean to you?

My first motivation for joining a synagogue was to offer my family a stronger sense of Jewish identity. But the way that COVID isolation exacerbated the loneliness I had already been feeling has made me realize how much we need community in our lives. I'm here to make deep and authentic connections with others, and to provide myself and my family with a greater sense of belonging.

HERE: Why did you choose Bet Shalom?

Firstly, because it's the closest reform congregation to where we live. But I also think it's the right congregation for us because our values align, and I can see that there's a focus on building connection and community, which is precisely what I'm looking for in a congregation.