Wedding Party
Gigi Herman
Sister of the Groom
Where do you live? - St. Louis Park, Minnesota How do you know the happy couple? - After my parents' disappointment with their first child, the storks brought me, a beautiful blessing from Hashem, to the world. Anything else you want to share? - I am Sam’s sister and co-counselor to Elie!
Ben Simon
Brother of the Bride
Where do you live? - Lisle, Illinois How do you know the happy couple? - Let me tell you, Elie was a real mess when I first met her. All day with the screaming and crying and carrying on. And that schmatte she was wearing, don't get me started. But my mother, g-d love her, says we're taking the little nudnik home, and she's going to have the room next to yours. I said, ma, have you gone meshugge? Kansas has so many wonderful pigstys to visit; why do we need one inside the house? Anything else you want to share? - Elie took this picture, so I hope I look good.
Nicole Casler
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Providence, Rhode Island How do you know the happy couple? - Elie and I met freshman year when she lived across the hall from me in Blackburn dorm. The exact logistics of how we were introduced are a little blurry now, but whoever or whatever brought us together deserves a thank you. Somehow, that one introduction turned into countless nights spent sitting on the floors of our dorm rooms, eating Domino’s pizza, and talking for hours about everything and nothing. What started as neighbors in a freshman dorm became roommates the following year, and eventually the kind of friendship worth traveling across the country for. Anything else you want to share? - So happy for the two of them!
Josh Eisemann
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - New York City How do you know the happy couple? - I first met Elie at Beth Shalom Hebrew school. We were in the same grade for years, but never really got along… until Herzl, where our friend circles and the long bus rides between Webster and KC brought us together. Sam, I met through Elie. I remember calling her on my drive home from work one day and her telling me about the cute boy she went on a date with and how amazing it was. The first time we all got together was back in KC for lunch or ice cream around a holiday. Anything else you want to share? - When you grow up and live in different cities, it’s really hard to stay in touch with your camp friends. I’m so grateful for Elie’s friendship and our group as a whole!
Abby Flekier
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Plymouth, Minnesota How do you know the happy couple? - I'm Elie's Cousin Anything else you want to share? - I knew Sam before Elie did! We went on Birthright with Minnesota Hillel together in 2019.
Jessie Goldberg
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Chicago How do you know the happy couple? - Elie and I met going into 8th grade at Herzl Camp. They didn’t put us in the same cabin, but we still became friends. Flash forward two decades, and we’ve traveled to see each other multiple times and stayed close. I’m so excited for her and Sam to continue their lives together with this amazing chapter! Anything else you would like to share? - A wish to the couple … never stop smiling and laughing, and never go to sleep angry. I love you both and am so excited to celebrate you!
Brianna Johnson
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Valhalla, New York How do you know the happy couple? - I met Sam in 7th grade Hebrew school and synagogue classes, and we’ve been friends ever since. I met Elie when she and Sam started dating, and it didn’t take long for us to become close. I feel really lucky to call them both friends. Anything else you want to share? - I met Elie at the same party that she met Sam!
Lukas Medin
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Eagan, Minnesota How do you know the happy couple? - I met Sam and Elie through my now wife, Tricia, who has been friends with Sam for years. Anything else you would like to share? - Sam was a groomsman in my own wedding, and I'm honored to be one in his wedding.
Tricia Medin
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Eagan, Minnesota How do you know the happy couple? - I met Sam back in Kindergarten. After, we would ride the bus together and eventually became great friends. When he started dating Elie, I instantly wanted to meet her and got Sam to agree to bring her to my birthday dinner. After a couple of margaritas, Elie and I became fast friends 💜 Anything else you want to share? - I know this will be brought up till the end of time, but ask Randy about his trash can.
Emily Pingel
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Minneapolis How do you know the happy couple? - I met Elie and Sam through a college friend's (Lukas) girlfriend (Tricia). I feel lucky every day we connected beyond that initial connection and have since then become very close. Anything else you want to share? - I love theater, black olives, and travel!
David Roubein
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Austin, Texas How do you know the happy couple? - After my first Saturday morning service at Beth El, I got in line for Shabbat lunch. As I finished serving myself, I turned around to see Rabbi Davis quickly finishing up his conversation and making a beeline directly to me. He walked me over to Sam’s table and introduced us. From that point forward, Sam has been one of my best and most trusted friends. After our friendship began, Sam soon began dating Elie, and it did not take long for her to become a great friend of mine as well. Anything else you want to share? - Elie and I both had the esteemed privilege of living in Decatur, Illinois.
Adam Schenberg
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Chicago How do you know the happy couple? - Elie and I became good friends somewhere around our ozo/1st year staff summers at Herzl Camp, supervising the children and creating some of the best evening programs this world has ever seen. We have been besties ever since. I met Sam once he and Elie started dating, and have spent a bunch of time with him on our annual group vacations and at many weddings. Can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together! Anything else you want to share? - Can’t wait to dance the night away at their wedding!
Seth Wallerstein
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - St. Louis How do you know the happy couple? - I met Sam through the Bentson Scholars program at the University of Minnesota, and we got to know each other better at Gopher hockey games, where he was in the pep band. Sam invited me to move into a house with him and a few others from the mellophone section. I agreed, and the rest is history! I met Elie when she started working at Minnesota Hillel in 2021, during my senior year, but we became friends once she and Sam started dating. Fun fact: Elie was my sister's counselor at Herzl Camp! Anything else you want to share? - I can't wait to see two of my favorite people tie the knot!
Elana Warren
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Plymouth, Minnesota How do you know the happy couple? - I met Sam in preschool and Elie at camp! Sam and I were friends in preschool and then drifted, but became good friends again in middle school, and just got closer in college. Elie and I were in the same cabin for our last two years as campers, and then we were counselors-in-training and counselors together. I’m so glad Elie and I reconnected when she moved to Minneapolis, and I’d say Sam is glad too! Anything else you want to share? - I remember Sam calling me after his second date with Elie, and I had never heard him sound so excited. I am so happy for Sam and Elie and am honored to be a part of their story and lives.
Haley Warren
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Minneapolis How do you know the happy couple? - Sam and I grew up alongside each other since diapers, as my sister’s (Elana) friend mainly. Arguably, we only established a true friendship of our own once they started dating. Elie and I met at summer camp (not unique) in 2012, and she joined our cabin the next summer, and we even got to bunk together on staff. We reconnected again after her move to Minneapolis in 2022, and the rest is history! Anything else you want to share? - I first had the privilege of learning that Elie and Sam had been on a few dates over banh mi at one of our favorite restaurants in Dinkytown (RIP Banh Appetit, you will be missed).
Anna Welsh
Wedding Party
Where do you live? - Manhattan, Kansas How do you know the happy couple? - I met Elie in the 4th grade when my family moved from Arkansas- Elie was one of my very first friends in Kansas! We bonded over filming silly skits after school and learning to play violin/viola. We grew up through all the awkward stages of middle/high school together, and I have many fun stories from theater, Latin club, and years of after-school shenanigans. Anything else you want to share? - I designed the invitation for Elie and Sam's engagement party.