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Sigi and I park in a corner of the West End Tatte. Over matcha lemonade and cold brew, we chat about her work and process as a journalist, covering healthcare, whether journalism is inherently Jewish, moving to Texas as a tween, pancakes, Taylor Swift’s most Jewish album, and Marty Supreme.
Samuel: I’m really curious, because you’re a reporter: What’s it like being on the receiving end of questions here, rather than asking them?
Sigi: I’m thinking about how people typically respond when I ask them questions, and the things they say that are interesting…and not interesting. I’m hoping I give interesting answers. I like being the one waiting for people to tell me things.
Samuel: How do you ask a good question?
Sigi: It comes down to tailoring your questions to who you’re talking to. If you have a good rapport, you can go up to the person you’re talking to with enthusiasm. It’s about meeting them where they are, and always asking followup questions. Especially when you’re doing important watchdog policy work, don’t take their answer just as it is. Do more probing. If they don’t give you a straight answer right away, ask the question a bunch of different ways. You never know what you’ll get out of them. It takes a lot of practice.
Samuel: Your work is on health policy, which can feel like an impenetrable subject. So many 20- and 30-somethings dread navigating the healthcare system. What do you think more of us should be aware of?
Sigi: It’s the way that government has such a role in healthcare. I’ve been covering the cutting of ACA tax credits, and you have people whose premiums are rising because of [tax credit expiration]. What lawmakers on the Hill are doing is directly leading into how much people are paying for their premiums. Government decisions can be so impactful on your personal life. Obviously I’m pro-reading-the-news for everyone, but everyone should specifically know about this, because it’s directly impacting people.
Samuel: It’s been a tough few weeks for DC journalists. What is it that’s drawn you to this often-difficult career?
Sigi: Journalism means that every day is a different thing, and I want my life to be an adventure. I like structure – the format of every story I write, the process of getting information and filing things, it’s very structured – but every day is different. One day I’m on the Hill chasing people down. Another day I’m at a conference, or I’m at the FDA campus in Silver Spring, talking to people who’ve lost their jobs. That pursuit of something completely new is what is so exciting. You never know what’s coming, which is scary, but you have an important role to play, and I feel really fulfilled doing that.
Samuel: Does your journalism feel inherently Jewish?
Sigi: Absolutely. Judaism is all about asking questions, and that’s literally what I do at my job. I also think there’s a lot of arguing in the Jewish community, and there’s a lot of arguing in the journalism community as well. What does objectivity look like? Does AI belong in journalism spaces? There’s a lot of nuance and a lot of opinions, and I think the same can be said of Judaism.
Samuel: What’s your Jewish community like in DC?
Sigi: It definitely starts with GatherDC. I did the Beyond the Tent Retreat in August. That was so game-changing. I hadn’t done any Gather events before, and it was genuinely transformative. I met so many great people that I still talk to, still hang out, and it’s nice because I see them at other events. We do Shabbats every now and then.
I’m still finding a solid footing. I’m not the most religious person, and when I do religious stuff, it’s at home in Texas. Mostly for Passover. But I feel like in the past six months or so, I’ve found a solid community of folks.
Samuel: What else feels alive Jewishly for you?
Sigi: I don’t want to be basic, but it all comes down to food and pop culture. I love movies, TV, music that’s Jewish-related. I love being the person that’s like: Did you know that actor is Jewish? There were quite a few movies last year that were Oscar-nominated that had Jewish themes in them, which was very exciting.
Samuel: Do you have one piece of Jewish pop culture that really speaks to you deeply?
Sigi: The one that comes to mind is The Fabelmans. It depicts a Jewish person moving to a not-so-Jewish area. [Editor’s note: Sigi moved from Long Island to a suburb of Houston when she was 12] Moving to Texas, it was really difficult just not knowing a lot of Jewish people and being isolated in that way, and being in a space where there was so much Christian hegemony. That was very difficult, but it motivated me to express my Judaism and make Judaism more of my identity. I felt more connected to it. The Fabelmans is basically Steven Spielberg’s life – not that I’m comparing myself to Steven Spielberg – but it is a very good and honest portrayal of what that experience looks like, and what it’s like to be Jewish as a teenager, trying to grapple with your identity in a place that rejects it. I highly recommend, whether you’re Jewish or not.
Samuel: Did you see Marty Supreme?
Sigi: Five stars on Letterboxd.
Samuel: Okay, a few quick ones to close. What’s something you’re feeling proud about?
Sigi: The coverage I was able to do during the [complete] government shutdown. I did a lot of work covering that, and I challenged myself a lot. I remember when the shutdown was ending, it was over a weekend and my friends were all at a bar watching the Mizzou football game, and they were like: Miss you! And I was in the Senate, saying: Miss y’all too, but I need to see if the government is going to open.
Samuel: Who do you look up to as a reporter?
Sigi: Kaitlan Collins of CNN. She’s very good at asking questions and she’s very transparent with what her work looks like. I really respect that.
Samuel: What’s something in DC that deserves more love?
Sigi: I just had the best pancakes of my life at Purple Patch. I’ll never shut up about them. If you know about it, this is your sign to go.
Samuel: You’re hosting Shabbat dinner and can invite any three people. Who are you bringing?
Sigi: Taylor Swift, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and my best friend Sarah.
Samuel: What’s Taylor Swift’s most Jewish album?
Sigi: Whoa, hold on, this needs thought. I think it’s Midnights. It’s all about sleepless nights, but it’s also a lot of internal questioning, learning about oneself, learning about your place in the world and what kind of person you want to be, and those are all things that Judaism teaches us to grapple with. When you listen to Midnights, you’re not left at the end of that album with an answer. And I think that’s how it is being Jewish – you’re not ever left with a complete answer to the big questions that we ask.
Samuel: Last one. Finish the sentence: When Jews of the DMV gather…
Sigi: Anything is possible.
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