The Bluegrass Schmooze

May 09 2024 4

The Bluegrass Schmooze Podcast artwork

When Shani Abramowitz and Ben Freed took their first jobs as rabbis in Lexington and Louisville, they got one question from their classmates and friends: There are Jews in Kentucky? The short answer is yes! The long answer is right here, in your podcast feed. Every month, you'll hear a deep dive into upcoming holidays and their meanings, and kibitz with a Jewish Kentuckian who has a great story. And each episode wraps up with a L'Chaim of the Month — a toast to a person or group making our world a better place (bourbon in a kosher dill jar optional... but strongly encouraged). Zei gezunt, y'all!

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Iyyar: Our story is ancient, but still unfolding

May 09 2024 68 mins

We talk a lot on our show about old times. Like, reeeally old times, from many thousands of years ago. But this month, Iyyar, we explore three holidays that commemorate more recent moments in Jewish history: Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, Yom Ha’atzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day, and Yom HaShoa, Holocaust Remembrance Day. And we kibitz with three Kentuckians who he

Nisan: Passover, and a new understanding of God

Apr 09 2024 92 mins

Animator and theatre creator Yehuda Husband shares his journey to Judaism, and how his intersecting identities shape him as an artist and father.

Adar II: Toasting for Purim with The Bourbon Rabbi, Chaim Litvin

Mar 11 2024 62 mins

On this episode, we learn the story of Purim & kibitz with "The Bourbon Rabbi," Chaim Litvin.

Adar Rishon: Ariel Elias and comedy's power to make us feel seen

Feb 09 2024 63 mins

Two rabbis and a comedian walk into a bar... ok, we're still workshopping the punchline. But this month we're kibitzing with Jewish comedian Ariel Elias! Ariel lives in New York City, she’s been on Jimmy Kimmel Live and featured in Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, and Good Morning America… and she grew up right here in Kentucky. And we’ll talk about the month of Adar Risho

Sh'vat: On being an American Jew and a Jewish American

Jan 11 2024 68 mins

This month in Judaism, Tu BiShvat reminds us to be thankful for the natural world, and hold onto hope for springtime. And we meet Leon Wahba and Captain Promotable Jordan Disney. Both served at Ft. Knox — Leon in the 1960s and Jordan, currently. They kibitz about Army life, whether the kosher meals are edible, and how being Jewish impacts military service... and we ask them where

Tevet: A delicious dialogue about food and resilience

Dec 13 2023 74 mins

This month, we’re breaking down kashrut, or kosher — the dietary laws governing what Jewish people do and don’t eat. They cover both the food itself, how it can be combined, and how meat should be prepared (animals must be slaughtered a certain way to minimize their pain). And we’ll kibitz with Top Chef Sara Bradley, who’s running a restaurant and raising a family in Padu

Kislev: Hanukkah, Teddy Abrams and music, oh my!

Nov 14 2023 67 mins

Why were so many classic Christmas songs created by Jewish songwriters?

Cheshvan: The value of rest and reconnection

Oct 15 2023 79 mins

And we kibitz with University of Kentucky President Dr. Eli Capiluto about education and the power of knowledge.

Tishrei: The one with all the holidays (and two mayors)

Sep 08 2023 77 mins

We’re kicking things off with hijinks and high holidays! Learn how two mayors’ Judaism shapes their approach to leadership, and why we celebrate the way we do this busy season.

The Bluegrass Schmooze Trailer

Aug 21 2023 2 mins

When Shani Abramowitz and Ben Freed took their first jobs as rabbis in Lexington and Louisville, they got one question from their classmates and friends: There are Jews in Kentucky? The short answer is yes! The long answer is right here, in your podcast feed. Every month, you'll hear a deep dive into upcoming holidays and their meanings, catch up on current events that impact the J