Colorado, welcome your new Field Manager: Lizzy Wallis!
Lizzy Wallis (she/they) is joining OneTable as the Colorado Field Manager after 3 years working for University of Wisconsin Hillel, and then most recently working as a case manager for people living with HIV in Denver. She is passionate about building relationships and providing compassionate support to others, and is excited to be back in the Jewish community building world. Lizzy is an amateur pickler, and completely fumbles a batch almost as much as she strikes gold, but the process is filled with learning and fun either way! Originally from St. Louis, MO she moved to Denver for college, and after a few years away, feels grateful to be back in the beautiful state of Colorado and enjoying all things outdoors. In her free time, you can usually find her hiking, skiing, or camping in the mountains or enjoying a nice park day in Denver. Lizzy’s ideal Shabbat is a potluck dinner with friends, hopefully outdoors or in nature. She loves making Jewish-ness feel relevant and personal, and is excited to help people curate their own, unique Friday nights in Colorado and the surrounding region.
What brings you to OneTable?
I love the creative and innovative spirit that is alive at OneTable. To me, part of Judaism is being part of the ever-evolving conversation that constantly re-adapts our traditions to fit into our modern lives. But it’s also harnessing and leaning into the ancient wisdom – such as being radically welcoming, sharing a meal with others, and unplugging from the technology that sometimes pulls us out of the present moment. It’s both and. I’m so excited for the opportunity to explore how to find deeper meaning, intentionality, joy, and connection in life with the Colorado/Mountain community.
What does Shabbat dinner mean to you?
Ah wow, different things different weeks. Some weeks it’s cooking a slow meal over a fire, out in the mountains while camping. Sometimes it’s my partner and I getting take-out and playing board games or cards with one another. And some weeks it’s gathering friends for a potluck meal to sit around a table, have deep conversations, laugh together, and enjoy one another’s company. But at the root of it all, it’s an evening that gives me that “warm and fuzzy” feeling, where I can enjoy delicious food, and feel a deeper connection to myself, those around me, and the present moment we’re in.
What one food are you bringing to a deserted island?
A Mediterranean lentil salad!
What’re you most looking forward to doing in your new role?
Getting to know people! I love building relationships and learning about each person’s unique interests, passions, and experiences. And I would also love to plan some Shabbat hikes, camping trips, gatherings, etc out in nature to bring people together over a shared love of connection to the outdoors.
What’s your favorite ritual and why?
Ritual is something I wasn’t necessarily raised with, and I’m still in an on-going process of exploring with myself. In this moment, I’d say my morning ritual of making pour-over coffee and then meditating has been a lovely way to start each day with slowness and intention. But in expanding the definition of what ritual might mean, I grew up having bagels and lox pretty much every Sunday with my family, and it’s something I look forward to every time I go back to St. Louis.
Favorite challah, and can you bake it?
Baking is not my strong suit. There, I’ve said it. I’m a creative who struggles with following precise instructions and measurements. But I LOVE a challah that’s filled with all sorts of seeds and nuts, so that each bite has that incredible blend of fluffy dough with a slight, soft crunch. And I will of course *try* to bake it.
