Something In The Water with Rachel Meyerowitz

About Something In The Water with Rachel Meyerowitz

In September 2024, I moved to Budapest, Hungary and discovered an inspiring Jewish community. Here, Jewishness was nearly erased by the Holocaust and suppressed by decades of communism, and still, since 1989, communities have sought to revive Jewish life and rediscover Jewish identity. I am fascinated by the individuals who embark on a journey to live Jewishly in a way that works for them. This project will amplify stories of individuals who do not take being Jewish for granted and share the lessons of Budapest’s community with Jews around the world. Welcome to “Something in the Water.”

Publisher

Something in the Water

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Oct 2025

Latest episode

11 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Jul 2026

   Reflecting on Two Years in Jewish Budapest, with Rachel Meyerowitz

   "Something in the Water" shares the story of Budapest's Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. This episode marks the end of my two year fellowship in Budapest, Hungary, and I am taking the chance to reflect on what this experience has meant to me. This city and these people have changed me, and I hope the glimpse you've gotten into this community has stayed with you, too. Thank you for listening. Here's to the next chapter! Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com (rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com)

2. 

   17 Jun 2026

   Freeing Judaism, an Interview with Ádám Schönberger

   “Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. Today’s guest is Ádám Schönberger who has been a key figure in Budapest’s cultural scene and Jewish community for over two decades. Ádám reflects on his roots in the city's underground, where he became a bridge between artists, activists, Jews, and anyone looking for a fun time. We discuss how that spirit evolved into an effort to create new spaces for Jewish and community life today. Mentioned: Dag Nachash (https://www.hadagnahash.com/) Marom (https://www.marom.hu/) Auróra (https://auroraonline.hu/) Bánkitó Festival (https://bankitofesztival.hu/) Open Spaces Network (https://szabadterek.hu/) Jewish Culture 2028 (https://zsidokultura.hu/) ROI Fellowship (https://www.schusterman.org/roi-community) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com (rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com).

3. 

   19 May 2026

   Finding Freedom in Discipline, with Valéria Kuna

   Something in the Water" shares the story of Budapest's Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, I speak with soon to be Rabbi Valéria Kuna about her journey to Jewish spiritual leadership, which began in the world of classical music! A serious cellist from a young age, Valeria was immersed in discipline and ritual. Those values guide her today in a life rooted in faith, spirituality, and community building, with music continuing to play a central role in her Jewish practice. Enjoy! Mentioned: Szim Shalom Reform Congregation (https://www.sim-shalom.org/) Valeria's Restaurant Recommendations: Cafe Tamar (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g274887-d25292201-Reviews-Cafe_Tamar-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html) Hummus Bar (https://hummusbar.eu/) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com (rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com)

4. 

   4 May 2026

   Meaning Between the Cracks, with Barna Szász

   “Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, Barna Szász reflects on how he is bringing his Stanford MFA and teaching experience back to Hungary differently than anticipated. Orbán’s government infiltrated civil society and left no place for Szász in the institutions he was once devoted to. Instead of stepping back, Szász founded something new: “If These Streets Could Talk” is an augmented reality experience which makes the history of Budapest's Jewish quarter come to life in never before seen ways. This method of storytelling changes the way people interact with each other and the space around them, and it's all happening here in Hungary. Listen for more! Mentioned If These Streets Could Talk (https://if-these-streets.org/) Landecker Digital Holocaust Memory Lab (https://www.digitalmemorylab.com/) Barna's Restaurant Recommendations: Gettó Gulyás (https://www.instagram.com/getto.gulyas/) Koleves (https://kolevesvendeglo.hu/restaurant/) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com (rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com)

5. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Leaving the Ivory Tower, with Szonja Komoróczy

   “Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, yiddishist and historian Szonja Komoróczy reflects on the power of bringing academic studies into everyday life and the work of community building. We discuss the ways she equips the community with substantiated knowledge and then “lets go," trusting individuals to shape their own identities and communities. Mentioned: Jewish University in Budapest (https://or-zse.hu/en/) Lauder Javne School (https://www.lauder.hu/index_en.html) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

6. 

   8 Mar 2026

   The Haver We Made Along The Way, an Interview with Anikó Félix

   “Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, Dr. Anikó Félix explains the evidence-backed methodology behind Haver Foundation’s work to prevent antisemitism. Haver means friend in both Hungarian and Hebrew, and personal encounters between Jewish and non-Jewish students are at the heart of what Haver does. A highlight of the conversation is the insight that these encounters are strongest when volunteer educators themselves are grappling with their Jewish identities, or even disagree with one another about what it means to be Jewish. Listen to find out why. Mentioned: Haver Informal Education Foundation (https://haver.hu/en/) Anikó's Restaurant Recommendations: Macesz Bistro (https://www.facebook.com/maceszhuszar/?locale=hu_HU) Rosenstein (https://rosenstein.hu/) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

7. 

   12 Feb 2026

   Applied Art of Existence, An Interview with Dr. Gábor Balázs

   "Something in the Water" shares the story of Budapest's Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. Dr. Gábor Balázs, Director of Budapest's Jewish University, shares the power of the University to put multiculturalism into action. We also explore his journey through earlier leadership roles in Jewish communal institutions and how he navigates observance in a largely secular environment. Gábor's blend as a scholar and community-minded leader make this conversation especially rich. Mentioned: Jewish University in Budapest (https://or-zse.hu/) Lauder Javne School (https://www.lauder.hu/index_en.html) Merkaz - Israeli Cultural Institute (https://izraelikultura.hu/en/home/) JCC Budapest - Bálint Ház (https://friendsofjccbudapest.org/) Budapest Jewish and Israeli Film Festival (https://zsifi.org/en/) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

8. 

   7 Jan 2026

   Shaping a Community to Cherish with András Büchler

   "Something in the Water" shares the story of Budapest's Jewish community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. András Büchler joins us to talk about cherishing Jewish community at every scale, from national religious institutions to a small “jewel box” community he lovingly tends. The conversation centers on how communities, when equipped with knowledge and agency, can shape a future according to their own values and vision. Mentioned: Szarvas JDC-Lauder International Jewish Youth Camp (https://szarvas.camp/en) Hashomer Hatzair  (https://somer.hu/) Mazsihisz Jewish Federations of Hungary (https://mazsihisz.hu/our-institutions-hu/english) Haver Informal Education Foundation (https://haver.hu/en/) Centropa Foundation (https://www.centropa.org/en) Sopron Jewish Community (https://www.facebook.com/sopronihitkozseg/) András's Restaurant Recommendation: Goli (https://www.goli.hu/) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

9. 

   30 Nov 2025

   Eight Secret Great Uncles and Other Stories, With András Borgula

   “Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. András Borgula, founder of Golem Theatre, picked up the phone one day to uncover a family secret. His grandfather and eight brothers survived Auschwitz. What follows is a journey into the Jewish world, a search for what it means to live a Jewish life, and the establishment of a Jewish theatre to share the richness and joy of Judaism with the world. Mentioned: Golem Theatre (https://golemtheater.com/en/) The New York Times: A Cabaret in Hungary Asks a Horrific Question: What if Jews Vanished? (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/26/theater/hungary-the-chosen-ones-jews.html) András's Restaurant Recommendations: Kádár (https://kadaretkezde.hu/) David's Kitchen (https://www.davidskitchen.hu/) Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

10. 

    16 Oct 2025

    Jewish Budapest with Ghetto Fairy, Zsuzsa Fritz

    “Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In our first episode, we welcome the luminary Zsuzsa Fritz. Once called the Ghetto Fairy, Zsuzsa says, with a smile on her face, “that pretty much sums it up.” Her experience provides an inside look at how the community has grown and struggled, as well as how her own Jewish identity has evolved over time. Mentioned: Szarvas JDC-Lauder International Jewish Youth Camp (https://szarvas.camp/en) JCC Budapest – Bálint Ház (https://friendsofjccbudapest.org/) Haver Informal Education Foundation (https://haver.hu/en/) Zsuzsa’s Restaurant Recommendation: The Blind Raven (https://vakvarju.com/en/fooldal-english/) in Újlipótváros Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.