Jews are culturally, religiously, politically, and ethnically unique yet diverse. This podcast aims to explore all of the intricacies and intersectionalities that come with being Jewish. Sometimes we go broad and sometimes we go deep, sometimes it's heavy and sometimes it's light, but it's always eye-opening. Episodes include conversations with academics, scientists, artists, creatives, people who all bring a different lens to the question, “what does it mean to be Jewish in the 21st century?” Whether you're someone who grew up Jewish, Jew-ish, or you joined us by family or by choice, or if you're someone who's just curious, you are welcome here.
Publisher
Clarissa Marks
Category
history · religion & spirituality · society & culture
Ashkenazi Herbalism with Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel
Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel have explored the world of Jewish medicinal plant healers within the communities of the Pale of Settlement in Eastern Europe, and written a book to share their findings. As trained librarians and linguists, Deatra and Adam were uniquely suited to uncover these practices that lasted from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era, hidden by language barriers and obscure documents. The book is eye-opening and includes the first materia medica of 26 plants and herbs essential to Ashkenazi folk medicine. In this interview, Deatra and Adam discuss their research process, the legacy of Ashkenazi herbalism, and how their experiences as Jews interacted with their work.
16 Nov 2021
Transcending Jewish Trauma with Jo Kent Katz
We dig into a topic that has come up in many of the conversations on this podcast: intergenerational trauma. The study of this phenomenon is relatively new, but it’s resonated with many Jews whose ancestors’ survived violence and persecution. To take a closer look at this, Clarissa talks to Jo Kent Katz, a Therapist, Ritualist, and Political Educator. In 2020, Jo launched a website called “Transcending Jewish Trauma” to help Jews unpack and heal from inherited unconscious beliefs and behaviors associated with ancestral trauma. Included on the website is a map that explores the many manifestations of collective trauma experienced by Ashkenazi Jews living in the US.
29 Jun 2021
Jewish Ethnicity, Jewish Joy, Mizrahi Culture, and Decolonizing Jewishness, with Yasmine Esther
Clarissa talks to Yasmine Esther, a community educator, and a Bukharan, Ashkenazi, and Mizrahi Jew. Yasmine’s made it her mission to inform Jews and non-Jews alike about Jewish politics and culture. With over 16 thousand followers on Instagram, Yasmine combats misconceptions and erasure of Jewish customs and history. She often shares about overlooked parts of her multifaceted culture including food, clothing, music and jewelry from her Mizrahi and Bukharin background. Yasmine also has black family members, and her educational work incorporates confronting anti-blackness and racism.
25 May 2021
Persian Jewish Culture, Stigmas, Taboos, and Mental Health, with Nicole Nowparvar
Forty years ago, thousands of Jews fled Iran after the Islamic Revolution, settling primarily in Los Angeles. Nicole Nowparvar is a member of that Persian Jewish community. She’s a psychotherapist, and the cofounder of Chaya, a community of intimate gatherings for Jewish Iranians. In this conversation, Clarissa talks with Nicole about how social, familial, and cultural expectations shape the community and the way that Chaya is helping individuals navigate what it means to be Jewish Iranian in the U.S.
19 May 2021
A Resource List for Israel-Palestine
Sharing a quick message in light of the recent events in Israel-Palestine. We'll publish our regularly scheduled episode next week.
27 Apr 2021
Jewish New York with Dr. Deborah Dash Moore
Clarissa talks with Dr. Deborah Dash Moore, a professor of Jewish History, about a city that holds a special place for American Jews and Jewish culture: New York City. They talk about her book “Jewish New York,” how Jews transformed the city of New York, and how the city transformed them.
23 Mar 2021
Judaism without Patriarchy, #metoo, and Welcoming Jews of all Genders, with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg
Clarissa talks with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg about the influence of the patriarchy on Judaism and how it impacts gender roles in Jewish spaces today. In the early 2000s, Rabbi Kinberg had to act as a whistleblower in a sexual abuse case involving a clergy member. Clarissa asks Rabbi Kinberg about that experience, and her approach to leading tough conversations on gender equality and justice within the larger Jewish community.
Note: This interview was recorded before the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United State.
23 Feb 2021
The Caged Bird Tweets of Freedom: Black Jewish Life and Twitter, with Jesi Taylor Cruz
Clarissa talks to journalist and graduate student of philosophy Jesi Taylor Cruz about her paper “The Caged Bird Tweets of Freedom: On the Digital Hypervisibility of Black Jewish life.” They discuss race and racism in the Jewish community, and the ways in which digital spaces, and Black, Jewish Twitter (Jwitter), in particular, has offered Black Jews a way to build community on a global scale.
26 Jan 2021
Embracing Yiddish Language, Theater, Culture, and History, with Rokhl Kafrissen
Clarissa talks to Rokhl Kafrissen, a Yiddish cultural critic and playwright. You may know her from her column in Tablet Magazine, Rokhl’s Golden City, or her blog, Yiddish Praxis. Rokhl and Clarissa talk about her venture into the world of Yiddish, and what it's like to fill the gap in her knowledge of our own history. They also talk about Rokhl’s new play that explores the ethical dilemmas that can show up when collecting Yiddish folklore. This conversation was recorded in the summer of 2020.
22 Nov 2020
Feminist and Full of Chutzpah w/Alma Editor Molly Tolsky
Clarissa talks with Molly Tolsky, the longtime editor of Kveller and the founding editor of the Jewish culture site, Alma. Alma describes itself as feminist, and full of chutzpah. They cover a wide range of topics and something about them makes you feel like you're just hanging out with a really cool friend. This interview was recorded in January 2020. Molly talks about her creative journey, the story of how Alma came to be, and how her personal Jewish identity has been influenced by her work in the Jewish media world.
21 Nov 2020
Hebrew Tattoos w/Artist and Calligrapher Gabriel Wolff
Clarissa talks with artist and calligrapher, Gabriel Wolff. They talked about his journey to finding his niche as a Hebrew calligrapher, specifically for tattoo art, and the ways that Jews are using tattoos to wrestle with and communicate their individual and group identity. Gabriel also shared how he sees his art as part of our collective struggle as Jews to find a way past a "post-traumatic experience of life.”
20 Nov 2020
Finding Crypto-Jewish Ancestors w/Researcher and Historian Genie Milgrom
Clarissa talks to Genie Milgrom. Genie was raised Catholic, but always had an inkling her family was actually Jewish. After years of investigation, she was able to trace her family tree back to 16th century Jews on the Iberian Peninsula. Along the way, Genie became a historian and advocate for Crypto and Converso Jews; Jews whose ancestors were forced to convert to Catholicism during the inquisitions. She’s authored several books about her work, including a cookbook documenting a treasure trove of family recipes found in her mother’s house with a rather unique recipe for so-called “pork chops.”
20 Nov 2020
Writing about Jews and Pop Culture w/Writer Abraham Riesman
Clarissa talks with writer Abraham Riesman. This conversation was recorded in December 2019 when Abe was writing a biography of the Jewish Marvel Comics Icon Stan Lee. The book is titled “True Believer, the Rise and Fall of Stan Lee,” and is slated for release February of 2021. Abe talks about his journey as a writer, reclaiming Jewish history and culture that has been left behind or erased, and finding his way to becoming what he calls “a born-again Jew.”
26 Oct 2020
White Jews & Race w/Dr. Elliot Ratzman
Clarissa talks to Dr. Elliot Ratzman, a professor in Jewish studies, race and social justice in religion. They discuss the contemporary intersection of white Jews and race, including the questions you weren’t sure how to ask, like “What race are white Jews?”, “How should they partner with other minorities for civil rights?”, and “How does modern antisemitism come into play?” Dr. Ratzman shares the history behind these questions, the importance of self-identification, and his thoughts on Jewish ethics in regards to racial justice.
25 Oct 2020
American Jewish Fiction w/Heather Paul
Clarissa shares the very first conversation she recorded for the podcast and it’s all about American Jewish Fiction! She talks to Heather Paul about how Jewish novels inspired her to become a professional Jew, and we try to answer the question, “what IS Jewish fiction?” Stay tuned to hear high praise for some amazing books.
12 Oct 2020
Introducing On Wandering
Introducing On Wandering and what you can expect from the upcoming season!
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