Sex, Judaism and why Cleveland is so great
Brynne Presser, a 25 year-old Cleveland Heights native whose “tikkun olam” spreads into every facet of her life. Presser, who works as a series facilitator for Case Western Reserve University’s Infectious Disease Alliance, labels herself as Cleveland’s “biggest cheerleader” even while traveling abroad.
Find out more about Presser’s modern Jewish living, giving the sex talk on the daily, her deep travel backpack full of stories and growing up with a father who is “Big Fun.”
What was it like growing up in Cleveland, especially growing up with a dad who is the owner of Big Fun Toy Store?
It was very fun. I have a very close-knit family and our house was always filled with friends and random people. We called it “Bubbe’s Boarding House.” It was awesome because we were introduced to so many different people and cultures.
I also thought it was completely normal for people to have whoopee cushions as a staple in the household. People would come over to our house and there’d be fake vomit on the floor or they would open something thinking it was real. I’m like … this isn’t normal.
You know, for a while, when you’re an awkward teen, you’re like, “This is so embarrassing.” There were a few years when I was totally embarrassed by it, but after a while, I totally embraced it. To this day, April Fool’s Day is my favorite.
Tell me about your Jewish upbringing.
We belonged to Park Synagogue, and I was bat mitzvahed and confirmed there. Before that, my siblings went to Cleveland Hebrew schools. I was kind of a little twerp, and I was like, “I’m not going to Hebrew school.” So, my mom said my grandpa would tutor me, which ended up being the coolest thing ever. I would go there Sunday morning and my grandma would cook brunch. My grandpa and I would go over stories from the Torah, and he would teach me Hebrew and it was a really cool thing to have with your grandparent. It was one of the best memories I have from my childhood.
I did an alternative spring break in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and that’s how I got hooked up with Hillel at Syracuse University. I think it was summer 2009 that I did the summer internship program at Cleveland Hillel. I worked at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in its biology and anthropology lab. That was really interesting because I did anthropology in college, and it was kind of a cool way to put into practice what I was learning — and to learn more about human origins and anatomy.
What was the one thing you hold with you from your Torah lessons?
I remember learning about tithing and just the idea of giving back. The ideas of mitzvahs and tikkun olam (repair the world) are things I always thought were so valuable. It really resonated with me, this idea of always giving back. At one point, we’re all in need — whether emotionally or financially — and that was really important to my grandpa. I think it’s super important, too.
Tell me about your job. I know part of it is going to area high schools and giving the sex talk.
I work as the series facilitator for the Infectious Diseases Alliance (ID Alliance) at Case Western Reserve University. Through my position I work closely with community health professionals, local leaders and Cleveland teens. Currently, we are training and mobilizing local teen peer educators to provide practical advice about STI prevention and sexual health to their peers. A lot of us turn to our friends for information about relationships and reproductive health — it’s important that we all have accurate information and know about relevant resources in our communities. I also teach a sexual health education course at Glenville High School. I really enjoy teaching and love the Glenville community!
Did you ever think you would be doing that?
I have always had a great interest in community outreach work but was unsure how to pursue my passion. A few years ago, I participated in a summer internship through the Cleveland Hillel. During the internship, I was exposed to the field of public health and developed a keen interest in the field. After graduating from college, I participated in a medical trek in the Himalaya. It was an eye-opening experience that changed my life and my professional path.
Wow! Have you traveled anywhere else?
Yes, I absolutely love to travel and backpack! I have been very lucky and have been able to travel to several different countries across the globe. In the summer of 2010, I backpacked across China and India with a dear friend. It was an incredible experience. The colors, the sights, the smells — they were all so unique and new! I learned a lot about different people and cultures and also learned a lot about myself. The trip challenged me and definitely made me a stronger person. After I returned from my backpacking trip, I knew I had to travel more.
My sister, Arleigh, and I decided to take a four-month leave from our jobs to farm our way through New Zealand. We met beautiful people who shared their skills, homes and food with us. New Zealanders are so warm and welcoming! It was an amazing trip to do with my sister!
Recently, I took a road trip through Spain. During the trip my boyfriend (fellow CIevelander Nick Funderburg) proposed! It was the best surprise and made the trip even more exciting.
How do you practice Judaism in your everyday life?
My grandpa taught me the importance of tikkun olam — it’s something I try to incorporate into all facets of my life. I really respect individuals who practice tikkun olam and find ways to serve their community and give unselfishly to others. Jewish family traditions are also a huge part of my life. Being Jewish, though, is just a part of my identity; it’s hard to identify what I do that is Jewish. It is such a big piece of who I am.
Is your fiancée Jewish?
He’s not. It’s funny because when I first met him I thought he was Jewish. What’s cool about Nick is that he’s really into Judaism and we share the same values, which I think is really important.
He loves all of our family traditions. We talked about this and he talked to my parents about it when he was asking for my hand — how it’s really important to raise our kids in an environment that embraces Jewish tradition and values.
It’s nothing forceful because for me it’s more cultural and part of my everyday life. He observes all the holidays with me and he’s learning. I couldn’t image someone more perfect out there. It’s beshert (meant to be). That’s the only way I could describe it.
Do you have any mentors in Cleveland Jewish community that have shaped your outlook on life?
Honestly, Ilana Shafran Mandel (at Cleveland Hillel). She was so helpful. When I was part of the summer internship program, I remember having these great conversations with her. She gave me both personal and professional advice to get into the field of public health, and she connected me to a lot of the people in the field and other young professionals in the community. She’s just a great connector and gives very practical advice. She was a great guide and showed me all these different things I could do.
Tell me about your involvement in Cleveland.
I like to participate in events, scope out different happenings and networking events. With the Cleveland brain trust, my sister and I do it together and explore and try different things. I’ve gotten involved in the Glenville community with outreach work there. Recently, I have become a part of Coalition for Violence Against Women, created in response to all the atrocities and murders that have been happening in Cleveland, especially all the acts of violence against women. They get people together and try to find solutions to these problems.
Do you see yourself living in Cleveland?
I want to raise my family in Cleveland — that’s important to me. Growing up in Cleveland Heights was so beautiful, especially with so many different cultures and people and such a loving community. I want to have my kids have similar experience.
I’ve always been Cleveland’s biggest cheerleader. It’s such a great place and so many opportunities and things to do, but you have to look for it. Some people come through town and say this place sucks. There’s so many good places to eat on both the East Side and West Side. There’s a lot of great local music and venues. Plus, It’s such an affordable place to live. I feel like people look out for each other especially in these little communities.
Where do you go out in Cleveland?
I like to go to Felice’s Urban Cafe in Larchmere. It has a great vibe and good food and drinks. It used to be the place my friends and I would call our little secret, but now everyone knows about our little secret, which is a good thing.
On the West Side, most of the time, I like to grab a beer, taco or margarita at Barrio (in Tremont) with friends. Press Wine Bar (in Tremont) recently opened and has really good food. It’s a nice chill place to go and hang out.
Market Avenue Wine Bar (in Ohio City), across from Great Lakes Brewing Company, has tons of really good wine and a great beer selection. They’ve got a really cool patio, too.
Staple drink?
I’m not a big liquor or mixed drink fan. I’ve been on this Bloody Mary kick because mainly there’s food with it. My go-to is a good IPA on draft or a good Spanish wine. I’m sold.
Describe your perfect day in Cleveland.
It is so hard. I feel like there are so many things going on in Cleveland every weekend. It would have to be hopping back from East Side to West Side and checking out the different markets, festivals and art shows that are going on — and food hopping, of course. Then, it would have to be a Wednesday for Wade Oval Wednesdays (in University Circle). My family and friends get a huge picnic blanket and get food, beer and wine and go to just listen to music outside.
There’s so much to do and I’m all about supporting local shops, especially growing up with a dad who owns a local business. Cleveland has so many great places, and we need to support them.
UPDATED: June 29, 2015