CURRENT MISSION

Explore local bakeries, beers, and markets. Help people smile.

ABOUT ME
I research cultural foodways and culinary history.

I completed my MA in Jewish and American culinary history trough the lens of kugel (a Jewish casserole). When I am not researching cookbooks or experimenting in the kitchen, I enjoy taking a canoe down the proverbial journey of life.

Whether I'm paddling through nature, laughing with friends, or exploring a city, I'm constantly taking advantage of what life has to offer.

PHILOSOPHY

If you want the city to smile, tickle the streets.

Don't talk to strangers, talk with people.

I want to leave world a better place than I found it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have been offering my couches to friends and others for years and will continue to do through this forum (and others). I enjoy meeting up with travelers and locals to swap stories over beer and seasonal produce.

While travelling, I love meeting fellow surfers and finding a good couch.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I spent two months couchsurfing in Eastern and Northern Europe (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Finland) in 2014. The CS community there is great! I also traveled around South America with my brother in 2012 where we met some really great people and had some wonderful experiences through the CS network. We were hosted by new-found friends and shared the open road (and Amazon River!) with some great surfers.

I have spent a lot of time on the couches of friends as well as friends of friends during my travels and have really enjoyed the experience. I have hosted scores of people on my couches and spare beds over the years.

When my couch has been unavailable, I still try to find a way to meet fellow surfers for a beer or walk around town to help them understand why I love my town.

Interests

Cooking. Eating. Smiling. Sustainable agriculture. Urban planning. Shmoozing. Social justice. Learning. Teaching. Vermicomposting. Shvitzing. Hosting. Drinking craft beer. Road trips. Camping. Canoeing. Backpacking. Skiing. Frisbee. Reading. Good music. Colorful socks.

• dining
• cooking
• beer
• drinking
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• music
• live music
• backpacking
• canoeing
• camping
• skiing
• agriculture
• history
• road trips
• good coffee

Music, Movies, and Books

I like all music (assuming it is good music).

As far as movies and books go, I am very open. Though, I do tend to avoid horror films and romance novels, I am willing to be persuaded.

Some books I have recently read: The Art of Loving, Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots, Everyday Urbanism, Flow, Between the World and Me, Dear Philomena, lots of things on culinary history, and the yet to-be published GoT books.

Authors on the top of my to-read pile: Michael Lewis, Martin Buber, E.O. Wilson, Ulrica Söderlind

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have traveled over 3500 mi (5600 km) down the entire length of the Napo-Amazon River from the Andes to the Atlantic.

I have built 3 canoes out of concrete. They have all been quite buoyant and fine to race in.

Teach, Learn, Share

Jewish (and other) baked goods. Cooking lessons. Teach English. Composting. Canoeing. Camping skills.

I have very long arms and can reach far places. I am also good at cleaning. If you have a sharpening stone, I'm happy to make your kitchen knives sharper and safer. Also, am always happy to help clean a kitchen.

If it is related to food—cooking, growing, eating, food justice, changing identities, and history—I am there.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My genuine compassionate self who appreciates listening and learning.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Panama, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United States, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, United States