Jew-ish

Apr 08 2024

Jew-ish Podcast artwork

What is being "Jewish"? We look the same, dress the same, work and play and eat right alongside our non-Jewish counterparts, and yet, somehow, everything is different. The world looks different through a Jewish lens, even for those who aren't particularly religious, the ones who might call ourselves "Jew-ish." This show explores that, and wants to share it, not just with the Jews, but with everyone, to provide a little window into the infinite ways there are to be Jewish. So, for all the Jew-curious out there, join us, and get a little Jew-ish!

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

What’s really going on in Israel, Part 2: how do we even begin to talk about a "solution"?

Apr 08 2024 48 mins

It’s been six months since Hamas attacked Israel, killing nearly 1200 people, kidnapping around 250, and triggering Israel’s devastating war on Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry says more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters without Borders say more than 100 journalists, and more than 200 aid workers according to the UN

What is Purim and why do we celebrate it: the story of Purim, what to wear, what we eat, and how it's done in Israel

Mar 23 2024 24 mins

It's Purim! So when Baby Brother Zev and his girlfriend Osnat came down to DC to peep some cherry blossoms, I made them come to tell you all what is Purim, the super-fun Jewish dress-up party where we celebrate a narrow escape from mass murder and eat cookies named for the bad guy's hat. Or ears. Or pockets apparently. Depends who you ask. Get to the bottom of what the heck Hamanta

What's really going on in Israel, Part 1

Mar 14 2024 50 mins

An American, a Canadian and an Israeli Jewish educator walk into a….well a discussion. About the Israel-Hamas war, the state of Gaza and state of mind of Israelis, no less. So, this conversation is really no joke. Huge thanks to Yair Alon, Adam Levi and Zev Dever for this sometimes hard, always thoughtful, and very nuanced and compassionate conversation, and the healing and share

When you discover your generational trauma and nickname it Holocaust hoarding

Feb 08 2024 36 mins

Have you ever wondered if your “quirks” might actually be manifested trauma? Or more like…that they probably ARE? Victoria Dozer was curious about her mom’s pretty typical Jewish-mom-quirk of stashing huge amounts of things, like dishes and toilet paper--stuff that's useful in principle, but that you probably don’t need 20 of--and uncovered that this behavior, inherited a

It's Tu BiShvat and Jews Love Trees!

Jan 25 2024 54 mins

What is Tu Bishvat (also spelled Tu BiShevat)? Well it's the birthday of the trees, also called the New Year of the Trees, so happy new year to you, and happy new year to the trees, and welcome back to Jew-ish! Trees have a very special place in Jewish life. We call the Torah, our holiest text (also known as the Five Books of Moses and the Pentateuch) the Tree of Life, and we plant

Jew-ish Presents: The Curl Code

Dec 19 2023 46 mins

Introducing our sister podcast, the Curl Code! Hosted by Wafaya Abdallah, owner of Curly Oasis, a curl salon and education platform in Rockville, MD, the Curl Code explores individual stories of how learning to embrace our natural hair can be the start of a journey to embracing and empowering our most authentic selves. Each episode reveals a unique story of the day someone acted on

Toxic polarization and how not to be part of the problem

Nov 16 2023 49 mins

There’s polarization, and then there’s toxic polarization. We all know what that feels like, especially at this moment around Israel and Palestine. For many of us, the temperature of the rhetoric is so incendiary that even though we might have deep and nuanced feelings, let alone education, experience, or personal ties to the issue, the thought of wading into what seems like a

A Plea for Peace and Compassion

Nov 02 2023 4 mins

Many of us are deeply affected, probably more so than we even know, by the suffering in Israel and Gaza. I didn't release the last episode (though I did have one ready) because it felt bizarre not to address or at least acknowledge the situation, but I was absolutely drained. I was scared for the Hamas hostages, worried about my brother in Israel, terrified for the Palestinians...i

Leaving the Mormon Church and becoming an “asker”

Oct 06 2023 53 mins

Erick Cloward was raised in the Mormon Church in Utah, in a not-always-happy home. He talks about it a lot on his podcast, The Stoic Coffee Break (which is an absolute must-subscribe, by the way) and the parts of that culture that eventually led him to leave the church, and Utah altogether. In episode 181 of his show, he digs into "asking" vs. "guessing" culture, and the contrast b

Happy Jew Year! What does Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mean, and what to do.

Sep 21 2023 41 mins

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and together with the 10 days of deep contemplation between them, they are known as the Days of Awe, or the High Holy Days–but apparently only in the U.S. Also–spoiler alert!--it’s not the actual “new year” on the Jewish calendar. Or at least not since ancient times…but we’ll get into