Best JWA Podcasts (2026)

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Episode 136: How Jewish Women Shaped SNL 32:24

Play Pause

9d ago32:24

32:24

From "Jewess Jeans" to "Coffee Talk" to "Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy," Jewish women have left their mark on Saturday Night Live as cast members and as characters. In this episode of Can We Talk? we look at the evolving role of Jewish women on the show over its 50 years on TV. Original cast member Laraine Newman talks about how her Jewish identity inf…

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Episode 135: LGBTQ Jews in the Federal City 32:33

27d ago32:33

32:33

Step into the history of queer Jews in Washington, DC, as Nahanni tours the Capital Jewish Museum’s current exhibit, “LGBTJews in the Federal City” with curators Jonathan Edelman and Sarah Leavitt. Through artifacts, photos, and oral histories, the exhibit looks at decades of federal discrimination and the fight for equality, the AIDS epidemic and …

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Episode 134: The Jewish Girl Who Joined the Islamic Revolution 30:40

1M ago30:40

30:40

Guita Sazan grew up in a Jewish family in Tehran in the 1960s and 1970s, during the reign of the Shah. She was a teenager during the Islamic Revolution against the Shah and was inspired to join the struggle, even becoming a practicing Muslim. But as time went by, the new regime became more and more repressive, until finally Guita realized her own l…

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Episode 133: An Israeli Trauma Therapist on Healing After October 7 27:29

2M ago27:29

27:29

On October 9, 2023, two days after the Hamas attack, Israeli trauma therapist Merav Roth visited survivors of Kibbutz Be’eri in the hotel they had been evacuated to. Some had seen family members murdered; others were raped or fled homes that were set on fire. Merav stayed and worked with them for weeks. She also helped organize hundreds of therapis…

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Bonus Episode: Remembering Susan Stamberg 14:53

2M ago14:53

14:53

Public radio icon Susan Stamberg died on October 16, 2025, at the age of 87. In this special episode, we pay tribute to Susan by listening back to our 2018 interview in which she discusses her New York accent, how early NPR audiences responded to hearing a woman deliver the nightly news, and what she listens for in a broadcast voice. The interview …

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Episode 132: Two Years Later 27:10

3M ago27:10

27:10

By Jewish Women's Archive

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Episode 131: Together in Manzanar: A Japanese Jewish American Story 32:50

3M ago32:50

32:50

In the spring of 1942, at the height of World War II, Elaine Buchman Yoneda became the only Jewish woman on record to be imprisoned in an American concentration camp. Manzanar was one of the detention centers—commonly known as Japanese internment camps—where the US government imprisoned 120,000 people of Japanese descent, the majority of whom were …

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Episode 130: Molly Goldberg, America's First TV Mom 28:25

4M ago28:25

28:25

From 1929 until the mid 1950s, Molly Goldberg was America’s favorite Jewish mother. Her character was written, acted, and embodied by Gertrude Berg, the first female showrunner and the first woman to win an Emmy for television. First on radio, then on television, The Goldbergs was a hit show and the first family sitcom. In this episode of Can We Ta…

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Mah Jongg Tov (Re-Release) 13:22

5M ago13:22

13:22

For the last of our summer re-releases, we're taking you back to an episode from 2017 about mah jongg, an ancient Chinese table game that’s embedded in Jewish culture. You can find Can We Talk? on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. We're also on YouTube! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Love Can We Talk…

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Bonus Episode: Our Hot Summer Picks 18:26

5M ago18:26

18:26

In this special summer episode, Judith, Nahanni, and Jen each share something they've read, watched, or listened to this summer that Can We Talk? listeners will love. Judith: Reformed streaming on Max) Nahanni: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden; Journey From the Land of No by Roya Hakakian; As A Jew by Sarah Hurwitz Jen: The Retrievals podcast, s…

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Zohra El Fassia (Re-Release) 15:42

5M ago15:42

15:42

While the podcast is on summer hiatus, we're listening back to some of our favorite Can We Talk? episodes. This time, an episode from 2021 about Moroccan Israeli singer Zohra El Fassia. You can find Can We Talk? on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. We're also on YouTube! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode…

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Word of the Week: Yenta (Re-release) 12:58

6M ago12:58

12:58

While the podcast is on summer hiatus, we're listening back to some of our favorite Can We Talk? episodes. First up, an episode from 2022 all about the word yenta: where it came from, what people think of it, and how its meaning changed over time. Enjoy! This episode includes music by Alicia Jo Rabins. You can find Can We Talk? on Apple Podcasts, S…

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Episode 129: Idit Klein on a Quarter Century of Queer Jewish Leadership 31:53

6M ago31:53

31:53

Supporting and embracing queer Jews has been Idit Klein's mission for over a quarter century. Since 2001, she has led Keshet, which is now the largest organization for LGBTQ+ Jews in America. With her departure from Keshet approaching, Idit sat down with her longtime friend Judith Rosenbaum, to reflect on her career, the impact of today's political…

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Episode 128: Orthodox Women Rabbis Crack the Stained-Glass Ceiling 35:42

7M ago35:42

35:42

In June 2025, the thirteenth cohort of Orthodox women rabbis graduates from Yeshivat Maharat, the first Orthodox yeshiva in North America dedicated to ordaining women. In this episode, we look at the status of the so-called stained-glass ceiling for Orthodox women rabbis as they seek pulpit positions, and we talk about the unique challenges for wom…

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Episode 127: The Scribe and Her Quill 26:22

8M ago26:22

26:22

For centuries, writing a Torah scroll was a sacred task reserved for men. But a couple of decades ago, a handful of women decided to pick up the quill—without waiting for permission—and paved the way for other women to do the same. In this episode of Can We Talk?, we hear from women who write Torah scrolls and explore what it means to inscribe your…

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Episode 126: In Memory of My Mother 29:19

8M ago29:19

29:19

In this special Mother’s Day episode, Nahanni interviews her mother, Emma Rous, who died this winter. They talk about how Emma’s teenage activism in a Protestant youth group influenced her politics, her conversion to Judaism in 1971, memories of her first Yom Kippur, what it was like to invent her own Jewish identity, and how Judaism eventually bec…

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Episode 125: Making Gay History, the Nazi Era: Frieda Belinfante (Special Episode) 31:19

8M ago31:19

31:19

In honor of Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, we're sharing a podcast episode from Making Gay History’s current series about the Nazi era. Frieda Belinfante was a Dutch musician and underground activist who risked her life to help save hundreds of Jews from the Nazis. She’s one of several LGBTQ people whose testimonies are featured in this…

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Bonus Episode: Our Stories, Our Resistance 4:47

9M ago4:47

4:47

At the Jewish Women's Archive, we’re closely following the attacks on democracy unfolding around us every day. In this special Can We Talk? audio essay, our own Judith Rosenbaum, JWA's CEO, calls out President Trump's moves to erase the histories of women and other marginalized groups. A version of this piece first ran on the Jewish Telegraphic Age…

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Episode 124: Dayenu: Jewish Climate Action Now 18:26

9M ago18:26

18:26

The climate crisis has entered an alarming new era. Since President Trump started his second term, the Environmental Protection Agency has fired scores of climate scientists and is trying to roll back climate protections and slash clean energy funding. For organizations like Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, it's been a giant step backward. …

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Episode 123: Message From Ukraine: Three Years Later 21:01

9M ago21:01

21:01

As the war between Ukraine and Russia enters its fourth year, Nahanni checks in with Vlada Nedak, the CEO of Project Kesher Ukraine. While American officials try to broker a temporary ceasefire, attacks on the ground in Ukraine are intensifying. Dozens of people have been injured and killed in the past month, including children. According to Reuter…

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Episode 122: Miriam Anzovin on Power and Gender in the Megillah 19:49

10M ago19:49

19:49

In this special Purim episode, Talmudic TikToker and storyteller Miriam Anzovin joins us to talk about the darker side of the Purim story, especially the role of gender. We start with a dramatic retelling of the Megillah, with Miriam's very contemporary spin on the traditional tale. Then we take a closer look at the story's gender dynamics, which s…

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PURO #14: (1963, Part 1) Gorillas, Haystacks, & Killers... OH MY! 1:49:43

11M ago1:49:43

1:49:43

The Puro Wrestling Academy returns for the Season Finale episode, as Professor Dan Ginnetty covers the first 8 months of 1963 in Japan. Giant Baba returns from his 2 -Year North American excursion, the 5th Annual World League is upon us, Rikidozan married for a 4th time, even in losing Antonio Inoki continues to generate much-needed experience, "Ma…

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Bonus Episode: Sonnet for America: Reprise 13:13

11M ago13:13

13:13

Just over eight years ago, Judith and Nahanni were looking for solace after Donald Trump rode a xenophobic, misogynistic and hate-filled campaign to his first presidential victory. In a November 2016 episode of Can We Talk?, we turned to the poet Emma Lazarus, the Jewish woman who gave the statue of liberty a voice and transformed her into the symb…

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Episode 121: Alaska's Jewish Pioneer Daughter 24:57

1y ago24:57

24:57

On August 4, 1869, a Jewish baby girl named Josie became Alaska’s first pioneer daughter. Josephine Rudolph was born in Sitka, Alaska to German immigrants, and returned to Germany when she was 6 years old. Seven decades later, her American birth saved her life when the Nazis came to power. Josie’s story takes us from the muddy frontier town of Sitk…

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PURO #13: (1962) Vampire Blassie Wreaks Havoc, Baba's U.S. Excursion 1:54:43

1y ago1:54:43

1:54:43

The Puro Wrestling Academy returns, as Professor Dan Ginnetty talks 1962 in Puroresu History. Just some of the topics include, "Vampire" Fred Blassie wreaking havoc in his feud with Rikidozan, hear how Blassie's bloody style left some fans DEAD (literally)! Plus. we discuss World Title Changes, Tag Title Changes, the 4th Annual World League, Thesz …

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Episode 120: Until 120! 25:02

1y ago25:02

25:02

It’s a Can We Talk? party! Welcome to our 120th episode 🥳. We're celebrating this milestone podcast style—Jen gets Judith and Nahanni reminiscing about the early days, we revisit clips from some of our favorite episodes, and we hear "Until 120!" in six languages. We’re honored to be feted by some very special past guests and fans of Can We Talk?, i…

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PURO #12: (1961) Great Antonio Arrives, Bill Miller Unmasks, Inoki Ascends, More 1:46:19

1y ago1:46:19

1:46:19

It's time for another edition of the Puro Wrestling Academy, as we talk the year of 1961 in Japan. We look at the Third World League Tournament, The Great Antonio’s rise (and fall), an epic Title vs. Mask showdown, Kintaro Oki’s breaking out, Antonio Inoki moving up the card, Giant Baba leaving for the U.S., Rikidozan attempts to promote boxing and…

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Episode 119: Erez Zobary Sings Her Yemenite Roots 19:54

1y ago19:54

19:54

Toronto R & B musician Erez Zobary was always proud of her Yemenite Jewish identity, but didn't explore it in her music - until now. Her new album, Erez, is a soulful, personal collection of songs that draws on her family's stories of life in Yemen and Israel. In this episode of Can We Talk?, Erez helps us kick off Mizrahi Heritage Month, when we c…

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Episode 118: The Femme Fatale in the Sukkah 19:59

1y ago19:59

19:59

This Sukkot, we're welcoming a special guest into Can We Talk?’s virtual sukkah: the Talmudic “femme fatale” Homa, one of the women featured in her new book, The Madwoman in the Rabbi's Attic. In this episode, Talmud scholar Gila Fine tells Homa’s story, reinterprets it from Homa’s perspective, and explains why she thinks Homa makes a fitting symbo…

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PURO #11: (1960) INOKI & BABA DEBUT! 1:41:26

1y ago1:41:26

1:41:26

NEW Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty is here! We talk the huge year of 1960 in Japan as business is BOMING! How Rikidozan finds Inoki AND Baba in an unbelievable story. Then, it's the DEBUT of Antonio Inoki, and the DEBUT of Shohei "Giant" Baba in the ring! Plus, the 2nd Annual World League Tournament. Toyonobori's Troubles. The Ricky Waldo st…

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Episode 117: One Year Later 24:02

1y ago24:02

24:02

A year after Hamas’ brutal October 7 attacks on Israel, the war is far from over. Israel is fighting on multiple fronts—with Hamas in Gaza, with Hezbollah in Lebanon—while war threatens to explode with Iran. Hamas is still holding 101 hostages in Gaza, 33 of whom have been confirmed dead by the IDF. In this episode of Can We Talk?, three Israeli wo…

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PURO #10: (1959) World League Tourney Debuts, Mr. Atomic Unmasked, More 1:42:06

1+ y ago1:42:06

1:42:06

It's time for another session of the Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty. This time out we look at the year of 1959 in Japanese Wrestling History. A ton of firsts as Rikidozan turns his misfortunes around... The first ever World League Tournament, the debut of "Mr. Atomic", the first ever unmasking in Japan, the first color TV broadcast of Japane…

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Episode 116: Jean Carroll, First Lady of Laughs 23:27

1+ y ago23:27

23:27

Before Joan Rivers, there was another Jewish woman who broke ground as a stand-up comedian. Her name was Jean Carroll, and although she was a household name in the 50s and 60s, today she has been mostly forgotten. Grace Kessler Overbeke hopes her new book about Jean Carroll, First Lady of Laughs, will change that. In this episode of Can We Talk?, w…

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PURO #09: (1958) Shady Business, Rikidozan Dethrones Thesz, Azumafuji Retires! 1:35:21

1+ y ago1:35:21

1:35:21

The Professor of Puroresu, Dan Ginnetty, is back with the latest edition of the Puro Wrestling Academy! This week we cover the year of 1958 in the world of Japanese wrestling history (and even dive into early 1959). Many of the topics discussed on this episode include... The JWA going from TWO weekly TV programs to having their shows CANCELED, lead…

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Episode 115: Dr. Ruth's Radical Legacy 22:04

1+ y ago22:04

22:04

The iconic Dr. Ruth Westheimer died earlier this year at the age of 96. Dr. Ruth was a trailblazer for her candid and joyful talk about sex, regularly using words like "masturbate" and "vibrator" on the air, and talking about sexual pleasure— including women's sexual pleasure—at a time when few others did. In this episode of Can We Talk?, we rememb…

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66. All That Yazz Live! Curating For Your Community with French For New, from Nouveaux to crafting event experiences like Soundset Sundays & Once Upon A Time in Joburg 35:43

1+ y ago35:43

35:43

A space for performance, craft and showbiz. News and reviews from music, film, content and All That Yazz. Key Crew and Information Creator, Host and Editor - Yalezo Njuguna (@yazzakanjakes on socials) Guest: French For New (@frenchfornew on social media) Enquiries and Submissions Email - [email protected] Art Direction - oshoku (@oshxku …