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Reagan and I connect over Zoom. From the Senate (and an office phone booth near Dupont Circle), we chat about her time in Edinburgh, nonpartisan work in Congress, not letting your friends feel lonely, challah braiding, Reconstruction, and chopping vegetables.
Samuel: How’d you end up in the DMV?
Reagan: I actually grew up in the area! I grew up in Alexandria, and I left for college, but I just never could see myself living anywhere else. Someone once told me to live where the main conversation topic is interesting to you. That limits my options. I’m not going to move to LA or Seattle or Philly. That’s not my vibes. I like that [in DC] people talk about politics and books and stuff that I’m interested in. And the people who move here genuinely want to live here, whether it’s for four years or longer.
Samuel: We’ve met previously at a GatherDC happy hour. What does your Jewish community look like?
Reagan: It’s definitely very busy! Lots of Shabbats, a lot of the social aspects of Judaism. I have weekly Shabbats with friends or family. I’m building out the Jewish community that I may not have had when I was growing up here, but also reconnecting with the Jewish people that I did know from high school. We’re finding our way back into each other’s lives. I think that’s really nice.
Samuel: How do you reconnect with those people?
Reagan: I’m someone who is very direct. If there’s a potential for someone to be my friend or be part of my life, I’m not going to let that go. I’m not going to be like: Darn! I wish I had that person’s number! I’m going to get it done. A lot of people have recently moved here, or went to school here and then their friends graduated, and they’re very lonely. I want to recognize that loneliness – which we all seem to have – and say: You’re in my life. You’re not going to be lonely.
Samuel: What else is alive for you Jewishly?
Reagan: Food and community-building have always resonated with me. I think Judaism really puts emphasis on committing to people. By going to Gather events, or Chabad, or being a member of the IPF steering committee, I’m building out my network of people, and I find practicing Judaism is easier that way.
Samuel: Is there anything you’re looking forward to with the High Holidays?
Reagan: Yeah! My family is hosting a Break Fast. My sister is coming down from Boston. A lot of friends are coming in. It’s just going to be a good time! I didn’t celebrate with my parents for the years I was in school, so it’s nice to come back and be able to do the family traditions. I bake the round challah every year; it’s nice to have it fresh.
Samuel: We’re doing this coffee virtually because you couldn’t leave your Senate building. What’s the job keeping you there?
Reagan: I work for the Senate Banking Committee as a staff assistant. It’s a nonpartisan role. We provide administrative support, archive things, help prepare for hearings, and someone always has to be in the front office, so I have to stay close.
Samuel: What’s it like being in a nonpartisan role in the Senate? What lead you there?
Reagan: I’ve been here for a year. I started right after I finished grad school in Edinburgh, so I was interviewing while I was finishing my thesis. I’d interned in the summer during college for different organizations, including the Architect of the Capitol and Senate Library. So I have this background in administrative functions. There’s definitely times where the people I work with have particular views, and there are times where I have to not say anything – which is hard, because I love to talk – but I’m there to do my job.
Samuel: What was Jewish life like for you in Edinburgh?
Reagan: I was only there for a year, and a lot of Jewish life was more focused on undergrads. I occasionally did Shabbats and that type of stuff. But one of my good friends from the program was Jewish, and we found each other, and went to Israel at the same time.
Samuel: What led you to Edinburgh specifically?
Reagan: My research is on Reconstruction and the rise of white nationalism after the Civil War. I knew in undergrad that I wanted to do more school, and was looking around at programs. Edinburgh has one of the few American history-specific programs, and I got to live in Edinburgh, which was like a bucket list item. I was like: It’s an adventure. Why not? So I signed up and went.
Samuel: What’s something from Reconstruction that we should all be thinking about more? I feel like it is a period of American history that we don’t talk about enough.
Reagan: There’s so much. My thesis was on how, almost immediately after the Civil War, southern soldiers were welcomed back into politics without adequate punishment. The former VP of the Confederacy became a senator from Georgia. Each state has two statues in the Capitol, and of the former Confederate states, a lot of [the statues] are of Confederates. And that’s in the halls of American democracy: statues of the president of the Confederacy, all these racists and slave owners.
Samuel: A few quick ones to close. What’s something you’re bad at?
Reagan: I’m not good at running, spelling, or chopping vegetables.
Samuel: What are you feeling proud about right now?
Reagan: I’ve been at my job for a year! Which, wow, it’s only been a year, but also it’s been a year! I’m proud of all the research I’ve done. And I’m proud of how good my challah braiding has become. It’s getting good. It used to be a little iffy. It tasted fine, but it looked kind of wack.
Samuel: You’re living in Alexandria. What should more people be in Alexandria for?
Reagan: I actually don’t want more people to come to this pizza place because it is always packed, but there’s this place in my neighborhood called Stracci and it is so good. They make their own cheese. Everyone should come check it out.
Samuel: You’re hosting Shabbat and can invite any three people. Who are you bringing?
Reagan: Definitely Nora Ephron. I’m obsessed with her and her movies and writing and have been for so long. When Harry Met Sally is my favorite movie. Heartburn is one of my favorite books because it is sort of DC-adjacent. Then, W.E.B Du Bois. I read a lot of his stuff during grad school, and he just nailed it with a lot of his social and cultural criticisms of America. He’d add some seriousness to my table. And then I can’t have a Shabbat dinner without inviting Mel Brooks. Everyone would be laughing. It would be a lit Shabbat.
Samuel: Last one. Finish the sentence: When Jews of the DMV gather…
Reagan: Jewish geography is being played.
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