Best Chatting With Rabbi Mike Podcasts (2025)

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Immortal Gifts : tales of a Jewish vampire with Katherine Villyard 32:01

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1M ago32:01

32:01

In this episode of Nice Jewish Books… Sheryl Stahl sits down with author Katherine Villyard to discuss Immortal Gifts, a historical fantasy starring Abraham, a Jewish vampire trying to balance immortal life, Jewish identity, and his love for his mortal wife, Destiny. But peace is hard to come by—Abraham is relentlessly hunted by Thomas, a radical C…

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Will Hope Arrive in the Shape of Dog? a conversation with Yishay Ishi Ron 48:43

2M ago48:43

48:43

Geller has hit rock bottom — homeless, addicted, and haunted by the horrors of war. His only goal is to forget. But when he rescues a dog from another addict, something shifts. After a brutal accident, a stranger named Doris steps in — and suddenly, there's a spark of hope. Can a dog... and a kind stranger... help Geller find a life worth living? J…

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Unfinished Acts of Wild Creation: a conversation with Sarah Yahm 36:06

3M ago36:06

36:06

Louise isn't juggling balls or flames — she's juggling life: the emotional weight of being a daughter, a mother, a wife… and someone facing a terminal diagnosis. In her latest novel, Unfinished Acts of Wild Creation, author Sarah Yahm introduces us to a woman navigating the tangled mess of grief, love, honesty and humor. Join us for a deeply moving…

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Fagin, the Jew; Fagin the Thief; Fagin the Man: a conversation with Allison Epstein 38:03

4M ago38:03

38:03

When Allison Epstein first saw the musical Oliver!, one character stood out—Fagin. He was the only Jewish character she'd ever seen on stage. But when she later read Dickens' Oliver Twist, her excitement turned to dismay. The Fagin in the novel was a far cry from what she'd hoped: he was a cruel caricature with no backstory, no first name, and no h…

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Who Killed the Rabbi's Wife: a conversation with Saul Golubcow 40:10

5M ago40:10

40:10

Step into the world of mystery, memory, and meaning with author Saul Golubcow. In this compelling interview, Golubcow discusses his gripping works, The Cost of Living and Who Killed the Rabbi's Wife?—this collection of three novellas and a novel feature Frank Wolf, a Holocaust survivor turned private investigator. Once a philosophy professor, Frank…

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2nd grader Mike learns his way around the American Playground: a conversation with Mike Shokrian 38:24

6M ago38:24

38:24

Michel may not be the big man on campus, but he definitely rules his 2nd grade classroom in Tehran and all is well in his world. That is, until his family decides to uproot him and brother Saeed and move the family to Los Angeles. Newly minted as "Mike" he struggles to navigate a new language, new customs, new foods, and most importantly new heirar…

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Small Moments Made Large in Displaced Persons : a conversation with Joan Leegan 43:14

7M ago43:14

43:14

In March, Rena Citrin, chair of the Association of Jewish Libraries fiction award, told me (not quite in these words) to get my tush in gear and read Joan Leegant's excellent short story collection, Displaced Persons. It took two months for it to percolate to the top of my "to be read" pile but I'm thrilled that it did. Her stories are full of rela…

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? With comedian Aaron Levene! 59:04

8M ago59:04

59:04

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by comedian Aaron Levene! Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram: @JewTalkin Lots more fantastic episodes waiting to be released, so d…

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Midwives' Escape: a conversation with Maggie Anton 42:40

8M ago42:40

42:40

It's Passover! Time to slurp the soup, crunch the matzah, and make jokes about Moses never stopping to ask directions in the desert. It's also a great time to speak with Maggie Anton about her latest book, the Midwives' Escape. Through the eyes of the Egyptian midwives, we see what life was like for the Israelites as they learned to transition from…

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AJL Fiction Award Winners 38:27

9M ago38:27

38:27

Every year, the Association of Jewish Libraries Fiction Award committee scours the book world for books with significant Jewish content. They look for extra-ordinary writing, accurate depictions of Jewish life in all its diversity, and contributions to the field of Jewish literature. This month I am excited to speak with Rena Citrin about the laste…

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Sue Kelvin 55:38

10M ago55:38

55:38

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by actor and cabaret artiste, Sue Kelvin! Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkin…

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? With Ben Caplan 1:02:34

11M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by actor and director, Ben Caplan! Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram: @JewTalkin Lots more fantastic episodes waiting to be relea…

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? With Howard Jacobson 59:52

11M ago59:52

59:52

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by Man Booker Prize winning novelist and broadcaster, Howard Jacobson! Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram: @JewTalkin Lots more fa…

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The Second Journey : an adventurous blend of Jewish & Chinese folklore and wisdom / a conversation with Joel Bigman 40:09

11M ago40:09

40:09

When the Buddhist monk Xuanzang returned to China from India, bringing back precious Buddhist texts, he thought his traveling days were over. But then he finds an intriguing scrap with writing that he does not recognize. Finally connecting it with the Jewish community in Kaifeng he is implored by the community to go on another journey – this time e…

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Dangerous Golem? or Man of Her Dreams? A conversation about a Magical Meet Cute with Jean Meltzer 39:09

1y ago39:09

39:09

After her town is carpeted with antisemitic leaflets, ceramic artist Faye finds refuge in her studio and before she knows it, her hands have created the figure of a man. She enscribes all her wishes into the clay and buries it under her rose bushes. The next day she runs into a handsome stranger, knocking him unconscious and giving him amnesia. As …

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When all else fails ... call the Magic Maker / a conversation with Mickey Dubrow 35:16

1y ago35:16

35:16

For 100 years the Rosenfelds have been trapped in a time bubble in their tenement apartment on the lower East Side of New York. They can only catch glimpes of the outside world which has no idea that they are there. Until one day, Esther Luna, who works in the building which has now been turned into the Tenement Museum see a girl in the window who …

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Jew Talkin' To Me? with Louisa Clein 1:00:56

1y ago1:00:56

1:00:56

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by the fabulous actor, Louisa Clein! Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram: @JewTalkin Lots more fantastic episodes waiting to be rel…

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Will living "With a Good Eye" bring Luna luck? a conversation with Gila Green 33:05

1y ago33:05

33:05

Luna Levi may have graduated high school, but she is far from any kind of path to success. She works part time at a motel in Ottowa to help support her family since neither parent seem capable of it. Luna's mother has dreams of being a theater star and takes off for weeks at a time to perform in regional productions and her father, suffering from P…

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How Many Secrets are Behind the Boy with the Star Tattoo / a conversation with Talia Carner 49:24

1y ago49:24

49:24

Sharon is surrounded by secrets. It is 1968 and she has been recruited to clandestinely bring Israel sailors, soldiers, and engineers to the French port of Cherbourg. She needs to help support them until the last 5 ships which were promised to Israel were fully constructed. Since France has instituted an embargo against Israel, the men would have t…

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The Main Character: a conversation with Jaclyn Goldis about secrets, lies, and murder! 23:35

1+ y ago23:35

23:35

Genevra Ex is a best-selling mystery author with a major quirk. Instead of inventing new characters, she hires a real-life person to be the main character of her book. The latest hire is a young woman named Rory. After an intensive three months of interviewing, Genevra gifts Rory with a ticket on the newly refurbish Orient Express. After boarding t…

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Jewish Emotional Support Books: a conversation with Heidi Rabinowitz and AJL conference attendees 37:14

1+ y ago37:14

37:14

Heidi Rabinowitz and I both saw a cartoon from the New Yorker in which one spouse was trying to move a pile of tottering books off the other spouses night-stand. The other spouse yelled in alarm (something like) "don't move those - they are my emotional support books!" We were inspired to ask our fellow attendees at the 2024 Association of Jewish L…

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Jackpot Summer! a conversation with Elyssa Friedlander 35:00

1+ y ago35:00

35:00

Whether you play the lottery or not, I think that all of us dream about what we would do if we won a major jackpot. This is what happened to three out of the four Jacobson siblings. Matthew, Laura, Sophie, and Noah were gathered to pack up the family summer house on Long Beach Island, when Noah announced he was going out and would be buying a lotte…

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? With Andy Nyman 1:22:15

1+ y ago1:22:15

1:22:15

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by multi award winning actor, writer, director and magician, Andy Nyman! Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram: @JewTalkin Lots more …

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What Will be Found in the Cave of Secrets: a Conversation with Lynne Golodner 28:25

1+ y ago28:25

28:25

Eve is only looking for some shelter from the rain, but what she finds will change her work, her heart, and her life. In a small cave in the Scottish highlands, Eve finds a journal written in as a series of letters from a woman named Shira to her lover Benjamin. Eve realized that the letters contain secrets about the family of her new love Mac. Wha…

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The Hebrew Teacher: three novellas by Mara Arad 30:47

1+ y ago30:47

30:47

Often we just want to connect with all the people around us and fix any problems we see. In the Hebrew Teacher, a collection of three novellas, people attempt to do this in very different situations. But sometimes, other people see the problem from a different perspective, or the problem is not what it seems. And to connect with someone else, they …

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Two Girls: One Lives in Manhattan, the Other in a Parable. A discussion about To and Fro with Leah Hager Cohen 34:48

1+ y ago34:48

34:48

. Annamae lives in New York with her brother and linguist mother. She yearns for connection and feels that someone will show up to take her away to where she is supposed to be. In the meantime, she pours her thoughts and dreams into her diary. Ani lives on a homestead which is a safe place for misfits and homeless. One day, the Captain, one of the …

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RAS Award Winner: Early Jewish Cookbooks: Essays on Hungarian Jewish Gastronomical History 50:24

1+ y ago50:24

50:24

Every year the Research, Archive, and Special libraries division of the Association of Jewish Libraries (otherwise known as RAS) gives awards for excellence in Reference and in Bibliography. Since these are obviously not fiction, they wouldn't ordinarily be a candidate for this podcast. But I got an opportunity to share the interview with last year…

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Could we adjust Once We Were Home? a conversation with Jennifer Rosner 34:04

2y ago34:04

34:04

During the Holocaust, desperate Jewish parents placed their children with Christian families and in convents in the hope that the children would survive the war. After the war, Jewish organizations went to reclaim these children to be raised in the Jewish community. But how did the children deal with yet another displacement. Join me for a conversa…

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Discovering the mysteries in Our Little Histories : a conversation with Janice Weizman 43:33

2y ago43:33

43:33

We start in a familiar place, in contemporary Chicago, where Jennifer, a museum curator, is asked to go to Belarus to create a living installation of Jewish life there before the Holocaust. She invites a distant cousin to participate, and she brings with her an old Yiddish literary magazine to use as a prop in the installment. In each chapter we mo…

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Jew Talkin' To Me? with Dan Patterson 1:18:38

2y ago1:18:38

1:18:38

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by multi award winning TV producer and playwright, creator of shows including Mock The Week and Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Dan Patterson! Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook:…

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Jew Talkin' To Me? with Mike Sheer 54:27

2y ago54:27

54:27

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by Canadian comedian, actor and coach, Mike Sheer Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram: @JewTalkin Lots more fantastic episodes wait…

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? with Carrie Grant 1:00:10

2y ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're joined by BAFTA award-winning broadcaster, vocal coach, leadership coach and campaigner, Carrie Grant Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram:…

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Can a kid survive the turmoil of the 70s as well as his Bar Mitsvah? Adam Unrehearsed with Don Futterman 49:55

2y ago49:55

49:55

Adam is a twelve year old boy preparing for his bar mitzvah in Flushing New York in the early 1970. In many ways, he is a typical kid, trying to fit in at school, but also trying to find himself and find ways to stand out. But his year is off to a difficult start when his parents decide to move the family to a different neighborhood and at the same…

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Jew Talkin' To Me? 7th October Update with Producer Russell 23:10

2y ago23:10

23:10

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week we're putting out a sort of holding episode reflecting on life as a British Jew since the terrorist attacks of 7th October in which over 1200 Israelis were killed and more than 200 hostages taken …

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New Translations of Yiddish Literature 1:01:42

2y ago1:01:42

1:01:42

While the body of Yiddish literature is vast, many people still think of Tevye the milkman, trudging along with his lame horse and arguing with God. But the many new translations of Yiddish fiction show the breadth and depth of the settings, characters, and topics covered as well as the many different voices of the authors. This past fall, Nice Jew…

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The Last Jewish Daughter of Kaifeng : a conversation with graphic novelist Fabrice Sapolsky 44:40

2y ago44:40

44:40

Leah is not your typical Chinese-Jewish owner of a kosher Chinese restaurant. She is also a woman on the run from Yuk-Wong, a drug lord determined to marry her against her will. And if that wasn't enough drama in her life, she is also the host/recipient of the Spirit of Water with all the powers that entails. When Yuk-Wong's minions find her in New…

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Straddling Black & White: the travails of the Ethiopian Jews with author Kim Salzman 43:05

2y ago43:05

43:05

When people think of Operation Moses, they usually think of a plane full of Ethiopian Jews, the Beta Israel, arriving in Israel. But their journey started long before the plane ride and continued for years after arriving. Kim Salzman follows a single family as they journey in three groups from Ethiopia to Sudan, to Israel, and into the Israeli abso…

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Irena Klepfisz discusses Her Birth and Later Years with guest host Yermiyahu Ahron Taub 1:28:59

2+ y ago1:28:59

1:28:59

Lesbian, poet, activist, and Yiddishist Irena Klepfisz speaks about her lastest book, Her Birth and Later Years : New and Collected Poems, 1971-2021 with Yermiyahu Ahron Taub. Yermiyahu is a poet and Yiddishist in his own right. He and Irena have been friends for years. They speak about her process of writing and her use of Yiddish in her work as w…

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We are not Strangers: Friendship between the Jews & Japanese in WWII era Seattle, a conversation with Josh Tuininga 27:43

2+ y ago27:43

27:43

During World War 11, Japanese citizens were rounded up and sent to internment camps. When they were finally released, the vast majority had lost their homes and businesses. In the upcoming episode of Nice Jewish Books, I speak with Josh Tuininga about one of the rare exceptions to this appalling situation. Josh focuses on the Sephardic Jewish commu…

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Jew Talkin' To Me? with Mara Wilson 1:12:08

2+ y ago1:12:08

1:12:08

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week’s guest is Hollywood actor and author, Mara Wilson! Follow them on social media, follow US on social media and don't forget to let us know what you think about the show. Subscribe to our Patreon: …

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? with Russ Kane 56:06

2+ y ago56:06

56:06

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week’s guest is broadcaster comedian and author, Russ Kane! Follow him on social media, follow US on social media and don't forget to let us know what you think about the show. Subscribe to our Patreon…

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Jew Talkin' To Me? with Mark Schiff 1:01:31

2+ y ago1:01:31

1:01:31

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week’s guest is American comedian and author, Mark Schiff! Follow them on social media, follow US on social media and don't forget to let us know what you think about the show. Subscribe to our Patreon…

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On the Run in a House with Chicken-feet: a discussion Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott 34:26

2+ y ago34:26

34:26

If I told you that this episode was going to be about a house which ran around on chicken legs, you might assume that this should belong to an odd looking children's book. But NO! This is a full-fledged intruiguing adult adventure. When the Yaga siblings inherit their grandmother's house, they set off on a journey to hide from the mysterious man wh…

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? with Kim Ismay 52:11

2+ y ago52:11

52:11

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week’s guest is West End superstar, Kim Ismay! Follow her on social media, follow US on social media and don't forget to let us know what you think about the show. Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin …

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Jew Talkin' To Me? with SK Shlomo 45:46

2+ y ago45:46

45:46

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week’s guest is international non-binary beatbox star, disability & mental health ambassador and former world looping champion SK Shlomo! Follow them on social media, follow US on social media and don'…

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Jew Talkin' To Me? with Tehran 1:00:16

2+ y ago1:00:16

1:00:16

Join Jewish Comedians Rachel Creeger & Philip Simon for their comedy podcast, a chat show about all things Jewish, produced by Russell Balkind. This week’s guest is comedian and actor, Tehran. Follow him on social media, follow US on social media and don't forget to let us know what you think about the show. Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Fac…

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Coming out in Florida ... Can love triumph? A discussion with Jacob Gelman about Butterflies in the Endzone 19:24

2+ y ago19:24

19:24

When Jamie's family moves from a liberal Jewish area of San Francisco to a conservative area of Florida, he decides to go back into the closet. But when he meets Alex, the football star, sparks fly between them which un-nerves both of the teens. Can they work out their feelings for each other while navigating homophobia? Join me for a conversation …

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Jew Talkin’ To Me? with Helen Zaltzman LIVE from the London Podcast Festival 1:00:32

2+ y ago1:00:32

1:00:32

Follow her on social media, follow US on social media and don't forget to let us know what you think about the show. Subscribe to our Patreon: @JewTalkin Facebook: @JewTalkin Twitter: @JewTalkin Instagram: @JewTalkin Lots more fantastic episodes waiting to be released, so don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a 5* review - it really helps other pe…

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What are the Shadows We Carry? A conversation with Meryl Ain 32:50

2+ y ago32:50

32:50

Twins JoJo and Bronka are coming of age in the United States in the 1960s. Daughters of Orthodox Jewish parents, they both have dreams and ambitions; JoJo of becoming an actress and Bronka of becoming an journalist. But shadows follow them: their parents' holocaust experience, US politics, neo-Nazis, sexism, and an unplanned pregnancy. Join me for …

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Can this young Jewish Syrian woman find her way out of the Marriage Box? A conversation with Corie Adjmi 23:28

2+ y ago23:28

23:28

Casey is a teenager living in New Orleans, when her parents decide that she is getting into too much trouble. They move the family back to Brooklyn to be closer to their Orthodox Jewish Syrian community. But will she end up trapped in the Marriage Box? Join me for a conversation with author Corie Adjmi. Follow along with the transcript. Connect wit…