Tales of the Unbound

About Tales of the Unbound

“This isn’t just a story of suffering. It’s a story of survival—and sacred persistence.” Door to Door is a deeply personal, five-part podcast series tracing one Jewish family’s multigenerational pilgrimage from a once-lost home in Wachenbuchen, Germany, to the present-day echoes of inherited memory, trauma, and resilience. Told through archival recordings, family reflections, and emotional returns to ancestral ground, this podcast chronicles the survival of Simon—a Holocaust survivor taken to Buchenwald Concentration Camp during Kristallnacht—and the generations that followed him. It's a story shaped by suffering, but defined by rebuilding, remembrance, and an enduring commitment to legacy. From whispered memories to stumbling stones, from silence to storytelling, Door to Door invites listeners to witness what it means to reclaim identity from the wreckage—and to carry forward the names, the stories, and the truths nearly erased. If you’ve ever felt the weight of inherited memory, or the pull to understand where you come from— subscribe to Door to Door wherever you get your podcasts. Let this be part of your story, too.

Publisher

Judaism Unbound, Miriam Terlinchamp

Category

religion & spirituality · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 May 2024

Latest episode

20 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Aug 2025

   Episode 5: What We Choose to Build

   Part of belonging to a lineage is the act of finding ourselves within the story, claiming a particular link in the chain of inheritance, as testimony to our merit for inclusion. And then he’d say, "Jews are responsible for each other." We all heard that phrase from him. It was the partner to his positivity. Forgive in your heart, and take your inheritance of survival, your legacy of peoplehood, seriously. And we did.

2. 

   13 Aug 2025

   Episode 4: Forever Unfolding

   “ I feel like I hold and carry a lot of the stories from my grandfather. I don't always know how to share those stories. I'm sometimes afraid of telling them wrong or making mistakes.” - Neal Strauss "It’s a surreal experience to watch strangers tell your story. For others to decide they are ready for you to reclaim your stolen lives." - Miriam Terlinchamp

3. 

   6 Aug 2025

   Episode 3: He Sang So Loudly

   “Years later, I’ll know this feeling as a mother, hearing my baby wail from the other room, wondering, praying, hoping that she is ok. But tonight, I’m 25 in a loft apartment in Berlin, 5,000 miles from home, and it’s not a baby crying: It’s my 89-year-old grandfather, Simon, screaming.” - Miriam Terlinchamp

4. 

   30 Jul 2025

   Episode 2: In the Footsteps of Survival

   I got out of the Frankfurt train station. I took a bus to Wachenbuchen. At this time, remember, there’s no cellphone, no Google maps, none of that. I had an address and I got there early in the day and there it was. It was like seeing something, you know, like seeing a picture you've seen forever, right? - Mark Vane

5. 

   23 Jul 2025

   Episode 1: A House for a Life

   We don’t know the story for a long time. And, even after we learn it, the story continues to unfold. Each generation adding new information, unlocking new mysteries, and trying it’s best to weave something whole out of a family history shredded by trauma. - Miriam Terlinchamp

6. 

   11 Jul 2025

   Announcement

   It is with great joy that we bring you our second season. Season Two is called Door to Door, A Multi-generational Story of Memory, Trauma, and Identity. This is a five-episode series that drops on July 23, 2025.

7. 

   17 Jul 2024

   Episode 7: Happily Ever After?

   In "Tales of the Unbound, Episode 7: Happily Ever After?" the narrative explores the challenges and transformations within the Jewish community at Monroe Correctional. The story takes a twist, testing the community's cohesion and purpose. Despite these conflicts, Ari and Josh strive to uphold a sense of community and identity amidst uncertainty. The episode concludes with a reflection on the evolving nature of Judaism and the power of communal learning in navigating change and maintaining hope for a better future.

8. 

   10 Jul 2024

   Episode 6: You Do Not Have To Do This Alone

   In episode 6 of "Tales of the Unbound," Miriam Terlinchamp reflects on her journey into the rabbinate, beginning with childhood memories and learning about holiness in unlikely places. She recalls pivotal moments that challenged her faith and understanding of Judaism's role in life's hardships. Despite initial reluctance, Miriam embraces her calling as a rabbi, drawn back to it even after attempting to avoid it. She finds purpose in connecting with individuals like Ari and Josh from Monroe Correctional, guiding them through conversions and discovering a deeper, more inclusive Judaism beyond traditional boundaries. Miriam's narrative explores themes of belonging, grief, and the evolving nature of spiritual identity.

9. 

   3 Jul 2024

   Episode 5: Open the Gates!

   In "Tales of the Unbound" Episode 5, we reach the apex of the storyline, talking through all the details of the “big day” of conversion. Miriam recounts the challenges of facilitating a traditional Jewish conversion ritual for Ari and Josh in prison. She navigates assembling a beit din (rabbinic court). The mikvah (ritual bath) posed logistical hurdles, eventually combining some borrowed and collected elements to make it happen. The ritual circumcision (milah) was performed privately by Ari and Josh using diabetic lancets despite our share of reservations. The ceremony concludes with Ari and Josh affirming their Jewish identity before their community, marking a profound moment of spiritual transformation and communal contribution.

10. 

    26 Jun 2024

    Episode 4: Do Good Time

    Check out judaismunbound.com for detailed show notes. (https://www.judaismunbound.com/tales)

11. 

    19 Jun 2024

    Episode 3: We Go HAM

    Tale of the Unbound: Episode 3- “We Go HAM” follows Josh’s spiritual journey of claiming Jewish identity, finding healing through reconciliation, and what it means to lead from a place of faith. His joy in the face of adversity is captivating as he carries his own stories and the stories of others as part of his personal evolution. This episode will reach you in the kishkas* carrying the listener as we move from tears to laughter, embracing the raw humanity of becoming yourself. *Kishkas = Literally:  intestines; Colloquially: In the guts/ where you deeply feel emotion [1] When Josh says, “We go H-A-M,” there are so many ways that it lands. “H-A-M” is a song by Jay Z and Kanye West. You can listen to it here, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dudUcaDwXss) with the caveat that it’s VERY explicit and has all kinds of language and a subject matter that folks find offensive. So, just a flag for folks before clicking on that link! The H-A-M stands for “hard as a mother$*!” It’s a term used in pop culture as slang for extreme effort and enthusiasm. HAM, of course, has another meaning, of a pork product, which is also something you wouldn’t exactly jump to associate with being Jewish. [2] We discuss the Three Strikes Law, or its formal name, the “Persistant Offender Accountability Act,” in the show notes of episode 2. Here’s a link (https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/three-strikes-youre-out-a-review) for more information. It is widely understood as Washington State’s toughest sentencing policy. [3] Joy in Judaism – it’s totally a thing. Here’s (https://reformjudaism.org/blog/how-does-your-judaism-spark-joy) a great article by Chaviva Gordon-Bennett on ways that Judaism sparks joy and another one HERE (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/joy-is-a-religious-obligation/) by Rabbi Yitz Greenberg on Joy as a religious obligation. Also, check out THIS (https://www.judaismunbound.com/podcast/2017/8/18/judaism-unbound-episode-82-the-happiness-prayer-evan-moffic) podcast with Eric Moffic on “The Happiness Prayer.” [4] Josh has tried hard to advocate for prisoner rights, (https://southseattleemerald.com/2022/06/16/opinion-prisoners-are-humans-and-deserve-access-to-covid-care/) to speak publicly about restorative justice (https://www.courts.wa.gov/subsite/mjc/docs/2024/Three-strikes-report-FINAL%2520v3.pdf) (see page 19), and co-authored a book (https://www.amazon.com/Incarcerated-Individuals-Pathway-Restorative-Justice-ebook/dp/B0B5GBRGKP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BHEA1HYN4U3O&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RCZ1oIuiX-acSCPDhPWNiyC_9uPLHu0tbO-FdZKAVEU.Et9lIZ6a0plptdIWY0lfZ3p00-zbKzssCcsY0EYWxcU&dib_tag=se&keywords=joshua+phillips+restorative&qid=1718751700&sprefix=joshua+phillips+restorative,aps,111&sr=8-1) about individuals who seek to rehabilitate while incarcerated. [5] This is an article (https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/may/26/redemption-project-unravels-the-past-in-hopes-of-b/) about Josh’s involvement in restorative justice with a picture from the ball of string and postcard activity that Amy talked about. [6] Curious about restorative justice? Check out this resource to learn more. (https://restorativejustice.org/) How about the Jewish pieces of Restorative Justice? We’ve got that too!  Here’s (https://reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/torah-commentary/importance-restorative-justice#:~:text=It%2520is%2520a%2520system%2520of,used%2520the%2520practice%2520for%2520generations.) a powerful dvar Torah by Rabbi Stacy Rigler and an awesome study sheet (https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/335136?lang=bi) created by Rabbi Jericho Vincent. [7] Josh mentions this book (https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-little-book-of-restorative-justice-for-people-in-prison-rebuilding-the-web-of-relationships-the-little-books-of-justice-and-peacebuilding_barb-toews/744833/item/8813317/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=high_vol_midlist_standard_shopping_customer_acquisition&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=666157863328&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyWtuMCG1ipS_GxrZt3V4_vKk65vK_diJjrnY6gwsUnjwpfomc-f4f8aAjo7EALw_wcB#idiq=8813317&edition=6409753) a few times: “Little Book of Restorative Justice For People in Prison” by Barb Toews. [8] Many people find their Jewish path through DNA tests. Jewish ancestry, 23 and Me, and ancestry.com have led so many people to trace roots back to Jewish ancestors. For some, who connect to the Jewish biological lineage as something meaningful, find this DNA discovery transformative.  This is less meaningful for others who don’t think of Judaism as a racial or genetic line. Clearly for Josh, it was a door that opened a pathway to connecting to a line of his family that he might never have discovered otherwise. [9] Josh uses a few Hebrew words in this episode, so – here are a few quick definitions: Chumash is a printed/bound book version of the Torah. Siddur is a Jewish prayerbook. HaShem, literally means: The Name, referring to one of the names for God. [10] I sent Josh and Ari a few books early on. They included, “Judaism’s 10 best ideas” by Rabbi Art Green, “Here All Along” by Sarah Hurwitz, “Judaism for Dummies” by Rabbi Ted Falcon and “My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew” by Abigail Pogrebin. [11] Josh refers to the biblical dreamer … that gets us singing, “Go Go Jo!…” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFCJ6qB26YA) [12] Josh refers to Pirkei Avot 2:16 several times it reads: Rabbi Tarfon said: The day is short and the work is much, and the workers are lazy and the reward is great, and the Master of the house is pressing. He used to say: It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it. [13] Miriam talks about the role of chevrutah in Talmud, Taanit 7a:8-12. אָמַר רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּרְזֶל בְּבַרְזֶל יָחַד״, לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה בַּרְזֶל זֶה — אֶחָד מְחַדֵּד אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ, אַף שְׁנֵי תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים — מְחַדְּדִין זֶה אֶת זֶה בַּהֲלָכָה. The Gemara cites other expositions that deal with Torah study. Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17)? This verse comes to tell you that just as with these iron implements, one sharpens the other when they are rubbed against each other, so too, when Torah scholars study together, they sharpen one another in halakha. Also – if you are into the idea of chevrutah learning, check out our friends at the Torah Studio (https://www.thetorahstudio.org/) who have an awesome chevrutah style model for deep and super accessible Torah learning. [14] Here’s (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/halakhah-the-laws-of-jewish-life/) a helpful way of thinking and  defining Halacha, the Jewish way (and also, Jewish law) [15] So Miriam mentions that she tries to talk Josh out of conversion. This is mostly because she wants him to believe that the way he names himself, defines his Judaism and lives it out is enough. He is Jewish. But for Josh, being recognized by others, particularly through the conventional mainstream understanding of Jewish identity, lineage and conversion, is critical in allowing him to feel safe and secure in his Jewish identity. [16] Ok… so the whole matrilineal piece of Judaism also depends on where you are coming from the conversation. Classically, Judaism is understood to be passed through the maternal line. Where a Jewish mother has irrevocable Jewish status- even if she converts to another religion, she’s still Jewish according to the Jews!  In Reform Judaism, patrilineal descent is also accepted as equally valid. There is a ton of literature on why matrilineal, why it’s good, why it’s bad… all the things. For Josh, and his relationship with parental figures, with his chaplain and his rabbi both identifying as women, there is an added layer to his Judaism connecting to women in his life. [17] Miriam riffs on a Midrash about God offering the covenant to other nations before offering it to the Israelites. It’s based on Midrash Sifrei Deuteronomy 343 (https://www.sefaria.org/Sifrei_Devarim.343.12?lang=bi) , she takes a few liberties with it (umm, hello, she’s a storyteller). If you’re into this – dive deeply into this book,” which has a compilation of all kinds of amazing midrashim (sacred stories) like that one.  The index alone will make you so happy!

12. 

    12 Jun 2024

    Episode 2: Yes Way!

    Tales of the Unbound: Episode 2 – Yes Way! explores the role of prison chaplaincy in cultivating a sense of belonging and Jewish connection among incarcerated people. This episode specifically follows Amy, the Jewish sponsor and chaplain at Monroe Correctional. We talk about what it felt like to first enter the space, how she cultivated a thoughtful community, and where the boundaries lay around Jewish identity. [1] Do you love this music? We do, too! Ric Hordinski created special tracks for each interviewee, along with intros and outros. He’s amazing, and it’s worth checking out his many phenomenal works, including The Silence of Everything, Arthur’s Garden, and some of the Jewish music he created for JustLove, like this one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2XFVkD4DK0) based on Psalm 23. [2] The garden at Monroe Correctional is beautiful. You can learn more about gardening as a practice through the Evergreen State College and Washington State Department of Corrections: Sustainability in Prisons project. (https://sustainabilityinprisons.org/blog/2019/04/30/growing-a-gardening-curriculum/) [3] Hineni, Here I am. Is a term we see through the Hebrew Bible. First, when God is searching for Adam in the Garden of Eden, Adam calls out to God “Hineni”. And when, Abraham is responding to God’s request to sacrifice his son, Abraham says “Hineni”. Hineni, as a response of readiness to do God’s will shows up 178 times in the Bible.  And in Jewish pop culture from the song, “You Want It Darker” by Leonard Cohen to the book “Here I am” by Jonathan Safran Foer, Jews use this term to reference a response to a higher calling. [4] Amy talks about where she couldn’t start from -and then goes on to name some Hebrew phrases that relate to the Jewish liturgy. She says “Kabbalat Shabbat” referring to the songs sung to help usher into Shabbat. It also means Friday evening – or the first stage of Sabbath. [5] Siddur is the Hebrew word for prayerbook. Every Jewish denomination and community of Jews has a prayerbook for their specific group. The difference might range on whether English is included or transliteration (the phonetic way to process the Hebrew words in English letters). Some prayers are omitted, some have pictures or chords to sing, while others are all in Hebrew with no directions on where to stand or sit, respond, or sing along. There is a wide variation of what is included, but in most, you will find prayers (sung or read) for welcoming the Sabbath, gathering as a community of practice, healing, and mourning.  The specific one that Amy refers to is likely the “Weiss Edition Siddur (https://alephmilitary.org/product/weiss-edition-siddur-with-blended-translation-explanation/)” which is provided free of charge by the Aleph Institute (https://aleph-institute.org/) to those in the military and those incarcerated. [6] Ari and Josh talk a lot about Amy’s singing. All the guys do. Jewish prayer includes lots of chanting and singing. But almost no organized Jewish prayer has a hymnal. There might be a projector with words or a song session with a songbook after services, but for the prayers itself, learning how we sing them outcomes primarily through osmosis. For Ari, he never had prayed Jewishly in song before Amy. [7] Shalom Aleichem is the song that Amy is singing in this piece. The prayer calls on the angels of the Sabbath to join us. We welcome them and ask for them to reside among us. You can find the words here (https://www.hebrewsongs.com/?song=shalomaleichem), a great traditional rendition here, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=913jZFL1bdE) and a powerful one by Debbie Friedman here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R48WBSpxMEY) [8] Amy talks about nurturing and damaging … She says the damage part tongue in cheek. Meaning it in how we raise all our children – doing our best to do well and teach goodness, and still, our kids have plenty to complain about. So too it is with the guys. She nurtures, encourages, and loves them, and she’s very firm about boundaries and is careful about what she teaches. [9] Hippocratic oath is the ethical oath physicians take to do their best only to pursue beneficial treatments. Typically, when we refer to the Hippocratic Oath outside of the medical field, we talk about the commitment to “first, do no harm.” Or in the Greek, primum non nocere. It’s actually not part of the Hippocratic Oath – it’s part of a different Greek writing called “Of the Epidemics”. But for our purposes, what Amy is talking about is to avoid harm or double down on trauma and the suffering that the guys have already been through and use Judaism solely as a tool for personal betterment and strength. [10] Miriam references Pirkei Avot 1:1, which you can read in more detail here. (https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.1.2?lang=bi) [11] Miriam uses the words “Kosher” and “Tref” creatively in this metaphor around a bounded community. Kosher is classically used in reference to food that is permitted by Jewish law to consume. whereas Tref is a term used to connote non-kosher or prohibited foods. If you are into a deeper dive into Kashrut (Kosher rules), here’s a nice article (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/treyf/) on the word Tref (it gets spelled: Tref, Treif, Treyf… all kinds of ways because it’s a Yiddish word). And, a nice intro on Kosher cooking (https://toriavey.com/keeping-kosher/) by Tori Avey (who has an amazing Challah recipe (https://toriavey.com/challah-bread-part-1-the-blessing-and-the-dough/)!) [12] Amy and Marvin use acronyms when referring to different correctional facilities (https://doc.wa.gov/corrections/incarceration/prisons/mcc.htm) in Washington State, like WSR, TRU, and Twin Towers. The important thing to note for our story is that the guys were kept in different spaces and segments of the sprawling facility until Amy brought them together under the call for a minyan. [13] The fear of scattering is no small thing. It’s baked into Jewish culture of being cast out/scattered away from one another. We read about it in the Prophets and Psalms and in the historical realities that the best way to diffuse the power of a community is to scatter it. [14] Amy uses the concept of Minyan to help keep her guys together. We need each other in order to pray. Here’s a brief background (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/minyan-the-congregational-quorum/) on the requirement of a quorum to pray.  But there is a ton of information about the shift from counting only Jewish men over the age of 13 in a minyan to expanding it to include women. What Amy does-  by counting those who identify as Jewish, those in her community but may not have converted yet – is revolutionary. [15] Ari mentions that there are specific prayers that require a minyan for public prayer are listed in Mishnah Megillah 4:3: (https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Megillah.4?lang=bi) Kaddish (for mourners), Barchu (communal call to prayer), Kedusha (central prayer of holiness), separating from holy and mundane,  and the repetition of the Amidah (the standing prayer). [16] Amy uses the word “Hashgacha,” which is a term for supervision, usually specific to rabbinic supervision, for determining whether something is kosher. Typically, this centers around designating food as kosher, but it can also be used to talk about Divine Providence or interference. [17] Miriam says that she feels that she is part of the lineage of Puah and Shifra. These were the midwives in the Exodus Story who continued to help deliver Jewish babies even after Pharoah decreed that this was forbidden. In Exodus 1:12-21, you can read their resistance. Miriam is specifically talking about being a midwife (rather than a mother) of this moment for the guys, helping facilitate the next chapter but not being the creator of it. [18] Miriam uses the word “Mitzrayim” and defines it as the narrow strait, which is the literal translation of the Hebrew in Exodus. Making the place where the story takes place less about Egypt or a nation-state and more about the state of any space or place where we are constricted and seeking. The term can be understood literally, but Miriam is leaning into the metaphor of Mitzrayim, the narrow place, where hope is hard to find, and yet we still do what is right and best for our wellbeing and for our community. [19] The Priestly benediction first shows up in Numbers 6:24-26 (https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.6?lang=bi&aliyot=0). Here’s a fun video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3tXSX_ltDI) that describes its origins. Typically, this blessing is seen in synagogues led by Kohanim (a specific class of Jews who are said to be descendants of the priestly class) or by the rabbi, but it can be said by anyone. Many Jewish families bless their children on the Sabbath (https://reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/prayers-blessings/shabbat-and-holiday-blessings-blessing-over-children#:~:text=May%2520God%2520bless%2520you%2520and,and%2520may%2520you%2520find%2520peace.&text=This%2520blessing%252C%2520also%2520called%2520%E2%80%9CBirkat,protection%252C%2520grace%252C%2520and%2520peace.)with these words. It is both a formal and one of our people's oldest prayers.

13. 

    5 Jun 2024

    Episode 1: Jewish Enough

    Episode 1 - "Jewish Enough" follows the stories of Ari and Josh, two men pursuing Jewish conversion while incarcerated. Despite facing obstacles and judgments, they find belonging and community within Judaism. The episode explores themes of identity, conversion, and belonging, shedding light on the challenges and joys of practicing Judaism behind bars. Through their journey, listeners witness the power of faith, resilience, and the pursuit of personal transformation. Join us on this heartfelt exploration of Judaism and the human spirit. [1] Miriam mentions that Jewish conversion is forbidden by traditional Jewish conversion practices. [2] Miriam briefly mentions that the guys were meeting for Shabbat. This mostly involved using prayerbooks without transliteration, guiding themselves through the service, and lighting electric candles. Amy changes all that—she brings in challah and juice, teaches them how to sing, and helps them navigate the meanings behind the ritual. But in the beginning, it’s just 3-5 men working their way through the prayerbook as best as possible. [3] You’ll hear a lot more from (and about) Ari in episode 3, but he’s amazing. The first language he learned while incarcerated was German, inspired by an employee in another correctional facility who would practice with him. He never painted before in his life, but a mentor in a different prison took him under his wing and taught Ari. One trend you’ll notice is that Ari is a voracious learner, a true embodiment of learning for learning's sake. He wants to be an attorney and is currently studying law. [4] Ari learns Hebrew by tapes and CDs. If you’re interested in learning on your own, check out this great book for adult learners , Aleph Isn’t Tough (https://store.behrmanhouse.com/index.php/hebrew/series/aleph-isn-t-tough.html), or try out prayer karaoke, you can practice with just about any liturgy, this one is for the Shema prayer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyNxS4Qh2AE), which you hear Josh say during the conversion ritual. [5] Josh is featured in episode 4. He’s super into support animals. He makes beaded jewelry of Magen David stars, earrings, and bracelets. Here’s a tutorial (https://www.etsy.com/listing/630432059/tutorial-star-of-david-earrings-judaica), if you want to try and make some too! He also co-authored a few books, including this one: Incarcerated Individual’s Pathway to Restorative Justice (https://www.amazon.com/Incarcerated-Individuals-Pathway-Restorative-Justice-ebook/dp/B0B5GBRGKP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZJ02SGWP005E&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pviRvtPXbvmqwxaPCXTR1fozZzdmN_oTcX7kyKvQIh3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.abLKOlvVSqqnwhXrbbH81fPCIiIt_QjgigjbDa9m5os&dib_tag=se&keywords=joshua+phillips+restorative+justice&qid=1716492933&sprefix=joshua+phillips+restorative+justice%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1). [6] We briefly mention the COVID pandemic. It cannot be stated enough how difficult it was to be incarcerated during those initial 18 months of the pandemic, particularly in Washington State, where the first USA cases emerged. There are all kinds of studies around what happened in congregant living situations. Here’s one report (https://www.wsipp.wa.gov/ReportFile/1739/Wsipp_COVID-19-and-Adult-Criminal-Justice-A-Quantitative-Look-at-Affected-Systems_Report.pdf) from Washington State Institute for Public Policy. For the folks on this podcast, life meant restricted movement. Including confinement to pods if you were healthy, or if you contracted COVID you might be moved into an isolation unit, also used for solitary confinement, to reduce the spread. Yet, COVID spread quickly. There were mass deaths. It was an incredibly difficult time. One positive element, is that tablets were made available for every individual that included books, podcasts, access to video and email communication (through a restricted and monitored service). This made passing the time more manageable, reduced loneliness, and encouraged education. There are mixed experiences with the tablets, as you see here (https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2023/06/28/how-my-prison-tablet-made-me-feel-free/) and here (https://www.wired.com/story/electronic-tablets-in-federal-prisons-chat-apps-disabled/), but for Ari and Josh, the tablets were the gateway to the Jewish community and Jewish learning. [7] We make a big point not to declare that a certain way of converting or being Jewish is THE only way to convert or be Jewish. But that statement in itself is a radical declaration. What Judaism Unbound took on in this case, is counter to many denominational requirements and processes around Jewish conversion. Huh… not a huge surprise that Judaism Unbound is counterculture! We will dig deeper into how the Judaism Unbound approach differs from many mainstream approaches. This (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-conversion-process/) great article on www.myjewishlearning.org breaks down some basics and denominational differences. [8] We make a strong statement about how we don’t want to tell the story of the crimes that landed Ari and Josh in prison. This is because our story is focused on the piece of their lives that started after they began experiencing the consequences of those actions. There’s a whole road this story could take around prison reform, abolitionist theory, the Jewish response to incarceration, the death penalty… you name it. But, since this is about Ari and Josh’s story of spiritual affirmation, their Jewish identity formation, being shared as much as possible through their own voices and realities, we feel it is theirs to share. [9] It is no secret there are powerful sources of protection and violence in prison. Some of those sources are gangs, primarily aligned along lines of race. If you are Caucasian, as Ari and Josh are, they might find protection within the white supremacist gangs. In fact, some of the men who are part of the Shabbat minyan at one time in their prison sentence did align with a gang at one point but then were able to escape for a healthier lifestyle. So, to choose to identify as Jewish and therefore become hated by one of the only gangs that might protect you now increases one’s vulnerability. Here’s (https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2009/david-arenberg-reflects-being-jewish-state-prison) a powerful story by David Arenberg of his experiences of antisemitism and gang culture while incarcerated. [10] The free will thing! This is pretty nuanced. This podcast “Can I convert because I love someone?” by the Hadar Institute (or you can read (https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/339281?lang=bi) the transcript) discusses some of the different ways people read into the requirement and definition of free will as it relates to the conversion process. [11] The audio is tough on this part of the call with Josh. He’s agitated. He wants to convert, but folks keep telling him, “yes…BUT… only when you get out.” And Josh is a lifer. He may never get out and, therefore, never convert to Judaism.  Josh is a lifer because he was convicted under Washington State “Persistent Offenders Accountability Act (https://www.law.com/2023/09/28/washington-supreme-court-majority-clarifies-juvenile-strikes-in-three-strikes-law-for-sentencing-courts-persistent-offenders/?slreturn=20240423214421#:~:text=Under%20the%20state)” more commonly known as the “3 Strikes Your Out Law,”  as a young man. [12] We briefly describe the three rituals for conversion affirmation. Here’s a little more information on the Beit din (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-beit-din-rabbinic-court/), Milah (https://www.becomingjewish.net/blog-into-the-jewish-pool/hatafat-dam-brit-brit-milah) and Mikvah (https://www.mayyimhayyim.org/). [13] Were you way into the early conversion story for Yevamot 47a? Yeah, us too. Nerd out on Talmud with Benay Lappe (https://svara.org/crash-theory/) and Dan Libenson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRiflFgZbqY) on the Oral Talmud episode 139 (https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/474363?lang=bi) where they do a deep dive into this text. [14] Interested in learning more about the Introduction to Judaism course, “Judaism inbound” that Dan Libenson and Miriam Terlinchamp co-authored? Great! Listen to the Judaism Unbound Episode 374 (https://www.judaismunbound.com/podcast/episode-374-miriam-terlinchamp) or go straight to the class sign up! For information on how to reach out to connect with Jewish agencies who support folks who are incarcerated and their families, connect with a Jewish penpal, donate to help bring kosher meals and access to Jewish supplies, or give straight to Ari and Josh’s Jewish minyan in Monroe … connect with us at: www.judaismunbound.com/tales (http://www.judaismunbound.com/tales)

14. 

    3 May 2024

    Trailer

    In its inaugural season, Tales of the Unbound follows the Jewish journey of two incarcerated individuals, their chaplain, and the community they co-created in the most unlikely of places. It happens to be within a prison context and about Jewish conversion. Yet, it is also a case study for all of us, regardless of where we are in our lives, about how we can transcend barriers to the life we want to lead through possibility.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

21 ratings

Spotify

4.6 / 5

8 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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