New Member Profile: Thom Brown

BASICS: What are your names and any nicknames?

My name is Thom Brown. Most people call me Tommy.

 YOU: Tell us about you and your family.

I have a few siblings around the world and a father and sister living in the area. I’ve never been married and have no children. I’ve been a firefighter/EMT for ten years at the Excelsior Fire District and was a member of a couple other departments as a career firefighter previously. I’m also a skills examiner for the National Registry of EMTs; I decide who becomes an EMT and who needs more training.  I’m also an AHA certified Instructor for CPR/AED and First Aid certification. I work as a sports/event EMT at many different competitions and functions. I hope to retire from firefighting in the next few years and teach emergency medicine skills.

I am a member of the State Honor Guard (Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Association). As Honor Guard we attend funerals and other solemn ceremonies and also display colors (display and retrieve flags) at events.

I live in the original house of Huber’s Funeral Home in Excelsior with my parrot named Taco John. I also play guitar in a swing rockabilly band with a few gigs a month. I golf, bowl and ride motorcycles.

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

I have a place to participate in weekly ceremonies, meet people and learn.

HERE: Why did you choose Bet Shalom?

I am a recent convert and had spent some time attending a few different synagogues.  I met a member of Bet Shalom, Linda Brodsky, who worked with my sister. Linda asked me to check out Bet Shalom, so I attended Shabbat services several times and felt it was a good fit for me.