Shows
The Vibe of the TribeFrequently Asked Questions About JudaismThe Vibe of the Tribe recently asked you, our listeners and members of the community, what questions you’ve always had about Judaism. Turns out, you had a lot of questions, like: Where do Jewish prayers come from? What really makes food kosher? What’s the difference between Jewish denominations? Why do many Jews cover their heads, and why such a sartorial variety of hats, scarves, snoods and wigs? What do acronyms like Z”L and B”H stand for? And, really, what’s up with the celebrity obsession with Kabbalah?
Extremely qualified guest expert Rabbi Vanessa Harper, an educator at Temple B...
2021-12-1355 min
The Vibe of the TribeHonoring the Stories of Ethiopian JewsWhen she was a child, human rights activist and educator Dr. Shula Mola and her family fled Ethiopia for Israel. As they and other members of the Beta Israel Ethiopian Jewish community embarked on this harrowing journey through Sudan, Dr. Mola dreamed of their goal—a return to Jerusalem, and reuniting in community with other Jews at the Beit HaMikdash (holy temple) in Jerusalem.
The gap between the dream and the reality of coming to the State of Israel as refugees was massive and often deeply traumatic. Dr. Mola, now a post-doctoral fellow at the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at...
2021-11-1658 min
The Vibe of the TribeStrangers in Strange Lands: Sci-Fi & The Jewish ExperienceSpooky season is upon us, and that means it’s time for The Vibe of the Tribe’s annual Halloween episode with author and occult and sci-fi expert Peter Bebergal! This year, we’ve left our usual haunted graveyards and golem attics to explore the horror themes, Jewish parallels and otherworldly allure of science fiction for Jewish writers and creators.
Tune in to this discussion of how the sci-fi genre has been influenced by Jewish hopes and fears by writers and artists like Isaac Asimov and Jack Kirby. We examine the assimilationist Borg of “Star Trek,” the immigrant story of Superman...
2021-10-2544 min
The Vibe of the TribeAsylum: A Memoir of Family SecretsHow much do we really know about the lives of our parents and the secrets they’ve kept in their past? How do we delineate fiction from fact in our family histories? What parts are real and what parts have we needed to be real? Many people may wonder, but few actually embark on a quest to uncover the truth. Judy Bolton-Fasman, one among the rare few who have done it, was brave enough to recount in a gripping memoir her search for the familial mysteries that have haunted her life.
The beloved arts and culture writer for JewishBoston.com, Bo...
2021-10-0534 min
The Vibe of the TribeTolkien and the JewsIn “a long-expected” episode, The Vibe of the Tribe celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cinematic release of the iconic fantasy film “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” Join Miriam and guest Jesse Ulrich of Pod4Good as they harness the power of their mutual nerd interests (Judaism and fantasy literature) to set forth on a quest to understand the world of author J.R.R. Tolkien through a Jewish lens.
They explore Tolkien’s own words on how Jewish history, culture and language influenced his creation of Middle Earth, his use of Jewish stereotypes and how he res...
2021-09-2049 min
The Vibe of the TribeJewish Death Rituals ExplainedWe exist in an era when the Jewish rituals around mourning—such as sitting shiva and saying kaddish—make frequent appearances in popular culture, from Marvel TV shows to films to Broadway plays. There is, however, significantly less attention paid to the other rituals around death, ones that are fundamental to understanding how Judaism sees the role of the living in caring for the dead.
The Hevra Kadisha, or holy society, comprises highly-trained volunteers who take care of the deceased with a profound level of respect and commitment. Jewish tradition offers ancient and beautiful customs and rituals to guide us throu...
2021-08-2438 min
The Vibe of the TribeOMfG! Irreverent Torah With Rabbis Jen Gubitz & Jodie GordonAs a Jewish podcast, it’s only natural we want to be BFFs with other Jewish podcasts. After all, we’re a small corner of the podcast universe, and us Jewish podcasters need to stick together!
On this episode, we welcome local rabbis Jen Gubitz and Jodie Gordon, co-hosts of the new podcast “OMfG: Jewish Wisdom for Unprecedented Times,” a project that came into being from text message exchanges of ideas, fears and humor during the darkest moments of the pandemic. Their new podcast—whose title means exactly what you think it does—is lovingly irreverent, rooting our human experiences today in the...
2021-07-1249 min
The Vibe of the TribeJake Cohen: The Future of Jewish FoodJake Cohen loves food. We love food. And we love Jake Cohen. Hailed as “the creative, youthful future of Jewish food” by icon Joan Nathan, Cohen is known for, among many other things, his zesty Instagram presence and blending his Ashkenazi food heritage with his husband’s Persian Iraqi Jewish traditions.
The nice Jewish boy, culinary creative genius and New York Times bestselling author behind the new “Jew-ish: A Cookbook: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch” joins us to discuss the power of intergenerational cooking, discovering and reuniting the Jewish diaspora through food and how he and his husband are creating t...
2021-05-0339 min
The Vibe of the Tribe“Shtisel” Season 3 Epic Binge Recap!If you have yet to pick your jaw up from the floor after watching “Shtisel” Season 3, you’re not alone. Join a completely verklempt Miriam and Dan for a spoiler-filled recap with special guest Dr. Shayna Weiss, associate director of the Shusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University, and an expert in Israeli culture and entertainment (and definitive “Shtisel” authority!).
We deconstruct the entire season, from the shocking premiere plot twist a la “The Sixth Sense” to the emotional finale, examining the magical realism, romance, Yiddish, longing, loss, multiple Shiras, familial mishegas and the “fourth wall”-breaking in between. Don’t just “lie th...
2021-04-121h 03
The Vibe of the TribeDoes “The Prince of Egypt” Stand the Test of Time?The JewishBoston crew observes a sacred Jewish tradition as old as, well, as old as 1998. To get in the Passover spirit, Miriam, Dan and Ashley, joined by former colleague and The Vibe of the Tribe founder Jesse Ulrich, rewatched the animated musical film “The Prince of Egypt.”
We discuss some very notable differences between the Torah text and the cinematic story, ask if everything really needs to be a musical montage and admit that the golden calf we worship is, in fact, Jeff Goldblum.
Edited by Jesse Ulrich, with music by Ryan J. Sullivan.
2021-03-2253 min
The Vibe of the TribeMaking Contact Beyond the Veil of DeathIn our recent episode “Heaven and Hell in Judaism” (jewishboston.com/the-vibe-of-the-tribe-podcast-heaven-and-hell-in-judaism), co-hosts Miriam and Dan dove into Jewish teachings about the afterlife with guest Rabbi Baruch HaLevi. That conversation led us to another question: If the soul endures, can we make contact with departed loved ones? And how might that fit into Jewish ideas about the journey of our souls through this world and “the world to come”?
So, we are happy to welcome Rabbi HaLevi back to the podcast, this time with his sister, Rebecca Rosen, a professional spiritual medium. Rosen views herself as an ambassador between “the spirit wor...
2021-01-1952 min
The Vibe of the TribeHeaven and Hell in JudaismHave you ever found yourself in that conversation? The one where someone mentions something about death, and someone else chimes in with, “Jews don’t believe in an afterlife!”
Some of us have definitely experienced that conversation, especially after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (z”l). As messages about the Jewish icon being reunited with her husband and other departed heroes were casually tossed around on social media, some well-meaning folks clapped back: “That’s offensive! Jews don’t believe that!”
What if we told you that Judaism has plenty to say about the afterlife? And yes, Judaism has...
2020-11-2344 min
The Vibe of the TribeThe Origin Story of Yom KippurFor many of us, Yom Kippur is the most significant and profound holiday in the Jewish calendar year. It’s 25 hours of prayer, fasting and afflictions of the self to better focus on apologizing and repenting for sins against each other and God.
This festival of forgiveness (hopefully, anyway!) has been observed for thousands of years, but what’s the origin story of this most important day? How did the wilderness of the biblical desert shape the Jews as a people? How has history shaped how Yom Kippur evolved to its present incarnation? And what, or who, is Azazel?
Join Miri...
2020-09-2141 min
The Vibe of the TribeDiving Into Rosh Hashanah With Mayyim HayyimWater has always been an essential part of Jewish ritual for marking a life change, a rite of passage or a new beginning. Immersing in a mikveh, or ritual immersion pool, is one of the oldest Jewish practices—one often done right before Rosh Hashanah.
Mayyim Hayyim (which means “living waters”) is a Greater Boston mikveh rooted in ancient tradition and reinvented for the 21st century to serve the Jewish community of today. Join hosts Miriam and Dan as they wade further into understanding this Jewish ritual with three experts from Mayyim Hayyim: Carrie Bornstein, executive director of Mayyim Hayyim Living...
2020-09-0844 min
The Vibe of the TribeCelebrating Deli, the Ultimate Jewish Comfort FoodThe traditional Jewish deli, once ubiquitous, has since become a rare treat.
In New York City in the 1930s, there were over 1,500 Jewish delis. Today, that number has dwindled to around a dozen. Although new deli-inspired restaurants and shops have popped up, adding modern flair and twists on classics, the traditional delis that remain are treasured by loyal customers for both their nostalgia and delicious food.
Greater Boston is lucky to still have a handful of traditional Jewish delis, pickle- and rye-scented, with all the knishes you can eat (and, of course, the perfect mustard on the side).
In honor...
2020-08-2653 min
The Vibe of the TribeGetting Salty Over “An American Pickle”In every generation, there comes a film that redefines how American Jews see themselves.
“An American Pickle” is not that movie.
But it is a fun, time-traveling romp starring Seth Rogen. Rogen shines as Herschel, a Jewish immigrant spared from the pogroms of Eastern Europe, only to arrive in America and promptly fall into a pickle vat for 100 years. Upon waking up in the 21st century, Herschel is united with his only living descendant, his great-grandson, Ben (also played by Rogen). Ben, an app-developing dreamer, can’t seem to get it together, much to hard-working Herschel’s frustration. It goes without...
2020-08-1948 min
The Vibe of the TribeTribeHerald Centers the Voices of Jews of ColorTribeHerald—a new media site geared toward centering the experiences of Jews of color—was launched last month by activist, entrepreneur and musical artist Yitz Jordan (also known as Y-Love) and his co-founder, Rabbi Shais Rishon (also known as MaNishtana).
Jordan joins us to discuss how this site and media company came to be, the importance of Jewish diversity and inclusion, and how we can all apply the framework of “ahavas Yisroel,” loving one’s fellow Jew.
From highlighting the voices of Native American Jews to sharing guidelines on how to be an anti-racist Jewish parent, TribeHerald brings authentic and necessary...
2020-07-1524 min
The Vibe of the TribeCreative Baking With Mandylicious ChallahBread is, arguably, the official food of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, without a doubt, challah is the official bread of the Jewish people for the last 4,000 years or so. It seems that the longer we’re staying at home, the more people are making challah, with varying degrees of success.
We found a challah expert right here in Greater Boston: Mandy Silverman of Mandylicious Challah is pushing the braided loaf in entirely new directions, constantly adding shapes, fillings, toppings and colors that offer new twists on an ancient culinary tradition.
The Sharon native and self-described “carbologist” joins us to discuss how sh...
2020-06-3047 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 100: Comedian Josh Gondelman on Doing Good & Staying Funny in Dire TimesWe know we say it all the time, but this really is a very special episode. And no, it’s not hyperbole: This is our 100th episode of The Vibe of the Tribe!
We’re excited to celebrate with an interview with Josh Gondelman (www.joshgondelman.com), an award-winning television writer, comedian, author and podcast host—and a mensch after our own hearts.
A Stoneham native and Brandeis University alum, Gondelman is a writer for Showtime’s late-night hit “Desus & Mero.” He has also won several awards, including four Emmys, for his work on “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” He hosts his own...
2020-06-1659 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 99: Netflix and Thrill: “Fauda” ReturnsJoin Miriam, Dan, Kali and Ashley as we talk about Season 3 of the thrilling Netflix series “Fauda.” If you want something to binge to get your mind off the stress of quarantine by stressing out in completely different ways, “Fauda” is the show to watch! (Listen to our recap of the first two seasons here.)
Tune in as we dissect the nerve-wracking plot lines, discuss the characters’ evolutions and share our frustrations and hopes for this fan-favorite Israeli series.
Please note: This episode contains spoilers and some adult language.
Edited by Jesse Ulrich, with music by Ryan J. Sullivan.
2020-06-0257 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 98: Fact-Checking “Unorthodox”Hit shows with Jewish themes or Israeli casts are certainly nothing new for Netflix. But perhaps none have been as controversial and widely discussed as “Unorthodox,” a four-episode series based on the memoir of a woman who left a large Satmar Orthodox community in Brooklyn.
Some see the show as an entertaining and fascinating look at a community many of us know little about. Others say it’s an inaccurate and even dangerous simplification of a complex group, sensationalizing and “othering” Satmar Chassidic Jews without the context necessary to understand their way of life.
And that’s just what the hosts of this...
2020-05-1854 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 97: Honoring and Supporting Our Elders During CoronavirusThere was a time when interacting with parents, grandparents or friends was as regular as a weekly trip to a grocery store or restaurant. But these are different times, and nothing is normal anymore, including our ability to be with many of the people we love, particularly those who face the possibility of severe complications from the coronavirus.
Showing respect to the elders in our community is an incredibly important value in Judaism. The Torah says, “You should rise before the elderly and honor the aged." But now, because of social distancing, interacting with and honoring our elders looks quite dif...
2020-05-0441 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 96: Learning From Pandemics Past – Jewish History and CoronavirusThe coronavirus has triggered an unprecedented wave of changes to day-to-day life in Greater Boston and beyond.
But existing in a state of crisis is nothing new to the Jewish people. History can be our guide during difficult times. What does the past tell us about how we will emerge from the era of COVID-19? How might Jewish life, including how we gather and how we learn, change after this extended period of radical social distancing and economic turmoil?
Listen to our timely conversation with two experts: Dr. Jonathan Sarna, a historian, author and Brandeis professor who provides the context...
2020-04-1754 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 95: Holocaust Survivor Israel “Izzy” ArbeiterIsrael “Izzy” Arbeiter was only 14 when he was imprisoned by the Nazis. Originally from Płock, Poland, Izzy survived six concentration camps before being liberated on his 20th birthday in 1945.
We sat down with Izzy and his wife, Anna Arbeiter (also a Holocaust survivor), in early March to hear his story of survival, loss, love, resilience and strength. After sharing his testimony, Izzy answers some of our questions, with occasional commentary from Anna and their daughter, Fran Rotman.
One more thing: We would like to help Izzy solve a 75-year-old mystery—the identity of a U.S. Army major or colonel...
2020-04-142h 19
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 94: Connection & Community Amid CoronavirusThe coronavirus pandemic has altered life in profound ways for all of us. But perhaps it is most acutely felt in communities housing the elderly. For these high-risk adults, visits with family and friends are no longer an option, and casual afternoon Zoom calls are not always possible.
With Passover approaching, many Jewish seniors face a year unlike any other. The seder calls us together, yet this year, for many, it’s simply not feasible.
On this episode, we talk with Rabbi Marc Baker, president and CEO of CJP, and Amy Schectman, president and CEO of 2Life Communities, which helps sen...
2020-04-0333 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 93: Kids4Peace BostonA Christian teen, Muslim teen and Jewish teen walk into a recording studio...
Join us for a conversation with local teens Isabel, Reynad and Shalev as they discuss their year-round efforts building bridges between people and working for social justice.
The organization that brought them together, Kids4Peace, trains and inspires Muslim, Christian and Jewish youth from seventh through 12th grades to become peace leaders.
Sindy Wayne, executive director of Kids4Peace Boston, also provides an overview of the organization.
In our current time of uncertainty, we hope this podcast (recorded before the coronavirus) brings levity and inspiration.
Find more...
2020-03-3128 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 92: President Obama’s Former Speechwriter on Judaism, Faith and COVID-19If modern Judaism had an opening for a speechwriter, The Vibe of the Tribe would enthusiastically recommend Sarah Hurwitz.
A senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama and head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, her recently published book, “Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There),” is arguably the best work on Judaism in recent memory.
In 300 highly engaging pages, Hurwitz gives us a thorough look at Jewish tradition, prayer, ritual and even notions of the Divine, all while revealing what reconnecting with Judaism has meant to her.
In our...
2020-03-2048 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 91: Joshua Foer – Scholar, Adventurer and Remember-erJournalist, researcher, explorer, author and…memory champion? Joshua Foer has seemingly done it all!
Whether it’s co-creating a site digitizing thousands of years—and pages—of Jewish text, exploring some of the most fascinating and least-known places on the planet or entering the U.S. Memory Championship and accidentally winning the title, Foer’s broad array of expertise makes him a must-listen.
In this episode, we discuss how Sefaria, the website he co-founded, has contributed to democratizing Jewish learning, as well as his tips for the strangest destinations on earth through Atlas Obscura. And, of course, how you can build your ow...
2020-03-1036 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 90: Getting the Scoop on Ice Cream (and Hamantaschen!) With J.P. LicksWhen Vincent Petryk opened J.P. Licks in 1981, he wanted to make people happy through the power and comfort of ice cream. Today, the award-winning ice cream shop has 17 locations in and around Greater Boston, all of which are certified kosher.
Petryk, who is not Jewish, has made it his mission to connect with the people who live in the eclectic neighborhoods that house his stores. From experimenting with pad thai ice cream to offering home-roasted coffee grounds for composting to donating thousands of dollars to countless charities, J.P. Licks continues to support the community.
Petryk was joined by Ad...
2020-03-0332 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 89: Alicia Silverstone LIVE at Chai in the HubFor our third-ever live podcast, we went big—a big crowd and a big-time Hollywood celebrity.
A live audience of more than 450 people joined hosts Miriam and Dan at CJP’s annual Chai in the Hub celebration as they interviewed Alicia Silverstone, “Clueless” star, animal rights activist, author and entrepreneur.
In between her appearances at New York Fashion Week and the Oscars, Silverstone shared her views on Jewish values and parenting, kindness on a global scale, the importance of plant-based diets and the healing power of food.
Learn more about Chai in the Hub at cjp.org/chai-in-the-hub-2020.
Learn more about Si...
2020-02-1827 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 88: Taste of Israel Restaurant Week LIVE at Mamaleh’s DelicatessenWarning: This episode will make you hungry! JewishBoston, Jewish Arts Collaborative and four celebrated Boston chefs teamed up for a live podcast recording about the history and evolution of Israeli food.
Live from a packed but cozy Mamaleh’s Delicatessen after hours comes a fascinating discussion about the creation of Taste of Israel Restaurant Week, how raisins do not belong in kugel (prove us wrong!), exciting food trends from Israel and the secret to baking Israel-level pita in Greater Boston.
Featuring:
Michael Leviton, eight-time James Beard Foundation Award nominee, chair of Taste of Israel Restaurant Week and co-founder of Craigie Bu...
2020-02-041h 00
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 87: “The Spice King” Shares His SecretsLior Lev Sercarz is a chef, author, IDF veteran and royalty, of a sort. Well, at least he’s titled that way. With a globally acclaimed expertise in creating incredible flavors, Sercarz has become known as “The Spice King of New York,” no easy feat in one of the world’s top food cities.
At his store, La Boîte, Sercarz and his team create hundreds of spice blends used in kitchens ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to that apartment down the hall that always smells amazing.
We caught up with Sercarz to discuss his new venture, the Galilee Culinary Institute by the Jew...
2020-01-2934 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 86: Demystifying Jewish DivorceThis episode is deeply personal and touches upon an experience that many people have dealt with: divorce.
Join Miriam Anzovin and Kali Foxman as they share their own experiences of getting divorced in the Jewish tradition. With the help of two experts, they demystify the Jewish divorce process, including the get (Jewish divorce document), and what it means as a woman to receive one—or not—both in the United States and in Israel.
Our guests on this episode are Layah Lipsker, a Jewish educator and director of the Boston Agunah Taskforce, which is devoted to research, education and advocacy for...
2020-01-1456 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 85: Rabbi Susan Abramson Talks Tikkun OlamJoin Dan and Miriam as they speak with the inspiring Rabbi Susan Abramson of Temple Shalom Emeth in Burlington. Abramson—the longest-serving female rabbi in Massachusetts—is co-founder of Burlington Area Clergy for Justice, an interfaith group of clergy and supporters who stand for immigrant rights and protest a local ICE facility each month.
Abramson also hosts “Spiritually Speaking,” a YouTube series in which she highlights the faith traditions and houses of worship in and around Burlington. She is also the author of the “Rabbi Rocketpower” series of Jewish children’s books.
Tune in to hear about the importance of learning about...
2019-12-2930 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 84: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” Season 3 RecapCooking a brisket in under two hours is nothing compared to an eight-hour TV binge! Are you verklempt over the new season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”? The Vibe of the Tribe gets you more than Lenny Bruce gets Midge. We watched Season 3 as quickly as we could to give you our takes on the most popular fictitious Jewish comedienne of mid-century America.
Are Midge and Joel going to be a thing again? Can Susie manage the unmanageable Sophie Lennon? How crazy will the Maisels drive the Weissmans this season? Will anyone notice those children? Ever?!
Tune in for our spoi...
2019-12-1754 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 83: “We Share the Same Sky” With Rachael CerrottiRachael Cerrotti had a close relationship with her grandmother, Hana. She knew Hana was a Holocaust survivor who evaded Nazi capture numerous times, and she savored her time with the family matriarch, hearing her tell stories about her past and reading her writing.
After Hana’s death in 2010, Rachael began to explore her story in more depth. She decided to take an incredible journey in which she followed her grandmother’s footsteps more than 70 years later, connecting with descendants of families that saved Hana’s life in Denmark and Sweden.
Throughout her travels, Rachael used her camera, podcasting equipment and journa...
2019-11-1129 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 82: “The Rabbi Goes West”Spread among the nearly 150,000 square miles of pastures, snow-capped mountains and lakes of Montana is a small Jewish community. Rabbi Chaim Bruk—of the Chabad Lubavitch movement—relocated from Brooklyn with his wife, Chavie, and their adopted children with the ambitious goal of affixing a mezuzah to the door of every Jew in the Big Sky state.
Bruk’s endeavor drew the attention of two Boston-area filmmakers, Amy Geller and Gerald Peary, who followed him on his journey and discovered a story much larger and more complex than just the tale of a man doing a mitzvah. Their new documentary film...
2019-11-0533 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 81: The Undead in Jewish MythologyThis Halloween, we’re resurrecting the (Jewish) history of the undead: ghosts, vampires, zombies and demons. Occult expert Peter Bebergal returns to discuss hauntings, warding off spirits and practical advice for those in the midst of a demonic possession. Plus, Peter tells Miriam, Dan and Ashley a ghost story that will forever change the way you think about geese. If demons are interrupting your private cemetery conversations with ghosts, this episode is for you.
Peter Bebergal is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and the author of “Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll,” “Too Much to Dream...
2019-10-2952 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 80: The Jewish Cannabis ConnectionFor the first time in modern history, cannabis in its many forms is not only available and accessible, it’s legal in many states, including Massachusetts.
What does this brave new world mean for the Jews? It’s high time we asked some blunt questions about Jews and cannabis, from Tanach to tetrahydrocannabinol.
The Vibe of the Tribe team consulted an expert on this burning issue: Rabbi Dr. Baruch HaLevi (aka Rabbi B) is a serial “cannapreneur” (cannabis entrepreneur)—in 2014 he co-founded Green Partners Investments, establishing Sira Naturals, one of the state's largest cannabis cultivation facilities and dispensaries, then in 2015 co-founded...
2019-10-1523 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 79: Netflix’s “The Spy” With Sacha Baron CohenThe Vibe of the Tribe crew binged the new six-part series “The Spy,” starring Sacha Baron Cohen as real-life Israeli spy Eli Cohen. The Netflix limited series—which we highly recommend—focuses on how Cohen, an Israeli Jew of Egyptian descent, managed to infiltrate the highest echelons of Syrian society in the 1960s and provide valuable intel to Israel.
As you can imagine, hosts Miriam and Dan, plus special guest Kali, have some thoughts. Shaking off troubling “Borat” flashbacks, the team discusses training montages, spy craft in the ‘60s, the strategic importance of the Golan Heights, Sacha Baron Cohen’s remarkable musta...
2019-09-1643 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 78: The Afro-Semitic ExperienceTwenty years ago, when David Chevan, raised in a Conservative Jewish household, met Warren Byrd, an African American pianist who grew up singing in a church choir, they had an idea: to fuse the music of their two musical and cultural heritages into something completely new.
The result, The Afro-Semitic Experience, is a sophisticated musical mash-up of styles and influences, from fresh takes on Jewish liturgical music to funk, jazz and gospel. In their words, “It’s Charles Mingus sitting in with a klezmer band.” Throughout this episode, you’ll hear highlights of their work—featured songs include “Adon Olam,” “Shout Out From T...
2019-09-0336 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 77: How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your KidsBecoming a parent changes you. It upends your schedule, interests and priorities, and seriously infringes on increasingly scant sleep opportunities. Kids are unpredictable masters of manipulating their parents and seem to know instinctively how to push their buttons. The mitzvah of “honoring thy parents” is, admittedly, kind of a complex one to grasp at a young age. The result is that parents can get majorly stressed out and lose their sh*t sometimes.
But there’s hope! On this episode we’re joined by Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., a writer, speaker, clinical social worker, mom and author of the brilliant new book...
2019-08-1950 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 76: Frum Here to Eternity – Watching “Shtisel”“Shtisel” has none of the trappings of a hit TV show. It’s a slow-moving, small-budget, often melancholy exploration of the lives of an ultra-religious Haredi family, tackling themes like death and grief, marital strife, child marriage, artistic struggles and…kugel. Surprisingly, the show has become a global phenomenon, despite lacking the more common Israeli television themes of political conflict, terrorism or PTSD.
In two seasons, the show won a slew of Ophirs—the Israeli Emmys—including for best drama and for best actor, best directing and best script in a drama series, and was recently renewed for a third season. Whil...
2019-07-3044 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 75: Show and Kvell – Celebrating 75 Episodes!Nearly four years and 20,000 streams after JewishBoston.com launched The Vibe of the Tribe, we’re celebrating our milestone 75th episode!
Join JewishBoston director Kali Foxman as she flips the script and turns the questions on co-hosts Miriam Anzovin and Dan Seligson. Miriam and Dan discuss everything from their personal Jewish journeys to favorite episodes of the podcast and guests that have influenced them the most. There’s also a fun and illuminating speed round, plus a blooper reel! (With, um, kind of a lot of F-bombs. Dan just can’t help himself, apparently.)
Have comments or ideas for us? Email...
2019-07-0936 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 74: Israeli Election ReduxIsrael. Election. Those two words on their own can induce panic attacks among certain segments of the population. Put ‘em together and they trigger a veritable onslaught of political thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Now picture yourself as an Israeli. (Or, if you are one, go to a nearby mirror.) Imagine having a high-stress, hotly contested national election after a particularly brutal campaign. Throw in allegations of voter intimidation, a legal dark cloud over the country’s prime minister and a glaring international spotlight.
Freaked out yet? Yeah, we thought so. With one election just barely over, another is set for Sept...
2019-06-2546 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 73: The Rise of Israeli TVTelevision! You love it, we love it. We especially love if it’s Israeli and, even better, if it stars Michael Aloni. Open Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, Showtime or Hulu and you can find a plethora of great Israeli shows like “Fauda,” “When Heroes Fly” and “Shtisel,” or American adaptations of Israeli shows including “Homeland” and “In Treatment.”
If, like us, you’re a non-casual viewer of Israeli TV in the United States, it all seems to be happening so fast, and with so many quality choices. What’s behind the abundance of ridiculously good television emerging from the Holy Land?
In this episode, Miri...
2019-06-0328 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 72: Julian Edelman on Faith and FootballFive years and three Super Bowl championships ago, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman started a years-long process of exploring his Jewish identity.
After a 10-day trip to Israel with CJP in 2015, the Super Bowl LIII MVP emerged as a proud and passionate advocate for the Jewish faith. He posts holiday messages on social media, speaks weekly with a rabbi just before Shabbat and, most recently, donned cleats honoring the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.
CJP’s Dan Seligson, who met Edelman on the Israel trip, caught up with him at his Boston home to...
2019-05-2025 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 71: Celebrate Israel With KoolulamThree Israeli artists had a goal: Harness the power of music to bring together fractured communities. The result—Koolulam—is a social-musical initiative that has brought tens of thousands of people around the world together in song.
Listen as Dan and guest co-host Matty Burns from israel360 chat with Koolulam founders Or Taicher, Michal Shahaf and Ben Yaffet about this innovative project centered around mass singing events.
Want to experience the magic yourself? To celebrate Israel’s 71st birthday, you are invited to join Koolulam in Boston on June 2 for a one-of-a kind, immersive musical experience. This special event, which will u...
2019-05-0626 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 70: Yom HaShoah Interview With Holocaust Survivor Michael GruenbaumYom HaShoah—Holocaust Remembrance Day—is observed this year on May 1. To mark this important date, Miriam and Dan sat down with local Holocaust survivor Michael Gruenbaum, who reads a powerful selection from his memoir, “Somewhere There Is Still a Sun,” about his time in the Terezin concentration camp in the Czech Republic.
Gruenbaum answers questions about his life before, during and after the Holocaust. He describes his mother’s incredible love and tenacity in the face of horror, and explains the poignant title of his book. Gruenbaum’s resilience is inspiring—we are grateful to have the opportunity to hear his testi...
2019-04-2929 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 69: Confronting Anti-Semitism in SportsAnti-Semitism is a scourge manifesting globally in every facet of society, from politics to sports. How can we push back against this hatred to promote equality and tolerance? Two soccer teams—New England Revolution from Major League Soccer and Chelsea Football Club from England’s Premier League—are playing a charity match at Gillette Stadium on May 15 to raise awareness about fighting hate crimes and anti-Semitism.
In this powerful episode, Miriam and Dan talk about this unique match with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, Revolution captain Michael Mancienne and Revolution goalie Matt Turner, a Jewish player. They’re also joined by Anti-Def...
2019-04-2318 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 68: Passover Wine – Four Cups to RememberYou might be surprised to learn that your Passover wine doesn’t have to include the same sugar content as a Jolly Rancher. In fact, there is no halachic prohibition on consuming drinkable—even excellent—wine on the holiday.
Sandy Block, one of the foremost wine experts on the East Coast, has been vice president of beverage operations for Legal Sea Foods for the past 15 years. A certified master of wine (and one of only 279 people worldwide to earn this title!), Sandy knows a thing or two about the subject—especially Israeli vino. In 2016, he visited some of the country’s top wine...
2019-04-0926 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 67: Poetry, Kabbalah and AscensionIn honor of National Poetry Month, Boston-based poet and national haiku champion Janaka Stucky joins us to talk about his new book-length poem, “Ascend Ascend.” Written over the course of 20 days in trance states, “Ascend Ascend” is rooted in the Jewish occult, Kabbalah and ascent to God’s chariot (also known as hechalot, or “ascension” literature).
Tune in as Stucky reads a powerful selection from his poem and discusses his inspiration and process, his past work as an undertaker, plus mysticism, meditation and heavy metal.
As an added bonus, if you’ve never heard a competitive haiku poet put on the spot, make sur...
2019-04-0143 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 66: A Reading and Conversation With Nathan EnglanderAuthor Nathan Englander’s latest novel, “kaddish.com,” hits bookstores and online retailers this week. Englander, who has written about challenging Jewish questions in his books “Dinner at the Center of the Earth,” “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” and “New American Haggadah,” introduces us in his latest book to a secular character who has decided to use an online service, kaddish.com, to relieve him of the 11-month obligation of daily kaddish recitations for the spirit of his recently deceased father.
This fast-paced novel is part thriller, part morality tale and part exploration of Jewish faith and traditio...
2019-03-2540 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 65: Running for Good – Boston Marathoners and Their CausesArguably the most prestigious road race in the world, the 2019 Boston Marathon will bring together 30,000 runners and more than a million fans who will line the course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street on April 15. While elite runners will compete for nearly $900,000 in prizes, many more runners will be doing the opposite—running the race to give money to causes they care about.
We spoke to two Jewish young adults, Larry Tobin, a two-time marathoner, and Haley Friedler, running in her first Boston Marathon, about their passion for philanthropy that will propel them through the grueling 26.2-mile course.
Feeling inspired?
You ca...
2019-03-1843 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 64: Israeli Fine Dining Comes to BostonChef Avi Shemtov’s vision of a warm, welcoming home for cutting-edge Israeli cuisine made with local, New England ingredients opens this week in Sharon. A pop-up project for more than a year, Simcha, Hebrew for “joy,” has a new home at 370 South Main St. in Sharon. Avi plans on bringing joy and “globally inspired Israeli soul food” to Greater Bostonians with classics such as shakshuka and baba ganoush, and some less-common cultural mash-ups—“alt” hummus made with locally grown heirloom bumble bee beans and (trigger warning: not kosher!) za’atar lobster rolls.
Avi’s personality is plainly evident in the new space—wallpa...
2019-03-0541 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 63: Tatte Bakery – Tartines, Shakshuka and Krembo, Oh My!Do you have taste buds and live in the Greater Boston area? If so, you’ve probably heard of Tatte Bakery & Café or visited one of its 11 locations in Brookline, Boston and Cambridge. With a new location right near the JewishBoston office downtown, Miriam and Dan couldn’t resist checking out the abundance of delicious Israeli food, from tartines and shakshuka to krembo and halvah bombs.
In this episode, Tatte founder Tzurit Or fills us in on her incredible career path, how Israeli food culture influences her work, the reasons Bostonians have embraced Tatte, why each location is totally Instagram-worthy and w...
2019-02-1931 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 62: “When Heroes Fly”It’s the season for Israeli TV on Netflix, so we couldn’t pass over the latest offering—“When Heroes Fly.” Sure, it’s no “Fauda,” but nothing will be, except, we hope, Season 3 of “Fauda.” Instead, it’s a deliberately paced rescue mission deep in the Colombian jungle as four emotionally damaged, battle-scarred and perpetually sweaty Israeli men try to find a woman presumed dead in a car crash.
Join Miriam, Dan and Kali as they offer their takes on “When Heroes Fly,” debate its merits and flaws, discuss the importance of group therapy, contemplate what drives people to join inexplicable drug cul...
2019-02-0444 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 61: Meet CJP’s Community ConnectorsGreater Boston is home to more than 300,000 Jews. Among that group is an enormous diversity of practice (or lack thereof), belief, connection and self-identification. Boston’s got a new squad of Jewish professionals, CJP’s Community Connectors, whose mission is to find young adults who might be seeking a way in to the vast array of Jewish programming, organizations and social opportunities in our area.
These three social mavens, armed with Starbucks credit (they’ll always meet you for coffee) and wallets full of business cards, are singly focused on supporting young adults in the community as they map their Jewish...
2019-01-2835 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 60: Surviving “Fauda”Violence, vendettas, double-crossing, triple-crossing and bowling shirts—it truly is the golden age of television, if you don’t plotz from watching.
Israel’s hottest export is a fast-paced, utterly addictive thriller, “Fauda.” Join JewishBoston’s Miriam, Dan and Kali as we relive the highlights and anxiety of binge-watching both seasons of this blood-pressure-raising roller coaster of a show.
And if you’re obsessed like us, you’ll have a chance to hear from “Fauda” creator and star Lior Raz at CJP’s Chai in the Hub on Feb. 9. Find information and tickets here: http://bit.ly/2RYuSDX
Edited by Jesse Ulrich, with musi
2019-01-2153 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 59: Keeping Up With the MaiselsA four-day binge of Season 2 of the hottest (OK, most Jewish) show on Amazon, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” led to some questions, which triggered a conversation, which inevitably had to be recorded for The Vibe of the Tribe. Listen as hosts Miriam (not Midge…never call her Midge), Dan and JewishBoston’s parenting writer, Kara Baskin, tackle the biggest questions of Season 2: Are those children just a character development device? (That seems cruel.) Can we forget Paris? (We hope so.) Must the Catskills summer end? (Never!) Will Abe’s romper make a cameo appearance next season? (Um, hopefully.) Is Joel still a thi...
2018-12-2451 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 58: The Pirate Captain ToledanoAhoy, listeners! Join podcast captains Miriam and Dan as they talk to Arnon Shorr, director of “The Pirate Captain Toledano.” This short film is the first about the little-known world of Jewish pirates in the Caribbean. The film will be screened at the inaugural Waltham Film Factory Shorts Fest from Dec. 15-16. Arnon, a Waltham native, attended Gann Academy and Brandeis University, so it’s particularly meaningful to have this local premiere take place in his hometown.
Tune in to find out all about the real-life inspiration for “The Pirate Captain Toledano,” explore the challenges and rewards of filming on historicall...
2018-12-0521 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 57: Jewish Sports Legends – The Saga of Israel’s Baseball TeamTwo years ago, ESPN called Israel’s entry into the World Baseball Classic, the World Cup of hardball, a team of “has beens, wanna-bes, and never-will-bes.” This rag-tag group of Jewish current and former Major League Baseball players donned the blue-and-white Israel uniforms for the first time in the country’s history on an international stage.
“Heading Home,” a documentary about the team and its bonding trip to Israel, opens right here in Greater Boston on Friday, Dec. 14, at West Newton Cinema. Get ready for the big debut by listening to Dan and Miriam talk hardball, Israel and Mensches on Benches with th...
2018-12-0534 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 56: Festival of FightsHanukkah is the most badass Jewish holiday this side of Purim. During Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, Jews recount the tale of Judah Maccabee, the warrior priest who led a successful rebellion against King Antiochus of the Syrian-Greek empire. Waves of troops attempted to put down Judah and his army, but their fighting spirit and faith in the Jewish people were so strong that the Maccabees liberated Jerusalem and the Temple from the forces of Antiochus in 164 BCE, ushering in a period of Jewish independence in Judea.
This special episode features eight stories, as told by Miriam and Dan. Each...
2018-11-2722 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 55: Jumping Chai With Boston Ballet’s Isaac AkibaIn this episode of The Vibe of the Tribe, Ashley sits down for a candid, one-on-one conversation with Boston Ballet soloist Isaac Akiba. Isaac began dancing at the Boston Ballet School when he was 9 years old and joined the main company in 2009. One of the two Jewish dancers in the Boston Ballet, Isaac has performed in the fantastic winter production “The Nutcracker” for 18 years.
Listen in as Ashley and Isaac discuss his Jewish journey, the summer he spent teaching dance in Israel, the lack of Jewish influence in classic ballet and what Jewish ballet they’d love to see made today.
Edit...
2018-11-1931 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 54: 360Five Listening Tour With CJP’s Rabbi Marc BakerBeginning this month, Rabbi Marc Baker, CJP’s first new president and CEO in more than three decades, will tour Greater Boston with one goal: to listen.
In fact, Marc predicts he’ll listen to a thousand people—or more—in the Jewish community as he embarks on a year-long project called “The 360Five.” The CJP-sponsored initiative will focus on five questions and draw from a 360-view of the Jewish community—young adults, “less young” adults, religiously observant, decidedly secular, the Russian-speaking community, Jewish day school alum, the completely unaffiliated with anything Jewish but still “culturally Jewish” Jews, Boston’s Israeli community and mo...
2018-11-1621 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 53: Revisiting an Immigrant Journey Through “An American Tail”The 30th annual Boston Jewish Film Festival kicks off Nov. 7 with two weeks of storytelling, music, human connection and Jewish identity told through 50 films.
Perhaps no movie character will be more adorable, small, reckless or innocent than the star of Steven Spielberg’s first animated production, “An American Tail.” This 1986 feature, which will be screened at the festival’s BJFF Jr! event on Nov. 11, follows a reluctant hero, the young Jewish mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz. Fievel and his family flee Russia amid rising persecution from cats and escape to the rough-and-tumble New York City streets because, as his father sings, “There are no...
2018-11-0541 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 52: Jewish Magic and the OccultOn this special Halloween episode of The Vibe of the Tribe, Miriam, Dan and Ashley welcome supernatural expert Peter Bebergal to initiate us into the Jewish occult. Peter, a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, is the author of “Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll,” “Too Much to Dream: A Psychedelic American Boyhood” and the new “Strange Frequencies: The Extraordinary Story of the Technological Quest for the Supernatural.” He even attempted to construct his very own golem here in Boston.
Gather your protective amulets, check under your bed for Lilith and listen in as Peter guides us through t...
2018-10-291h 04
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 51: Schmoozing With the Brass SistersSome seven-plus decades ago, two sisters growing up in Winthrop learned how to cook from their beloved mentor, their mother. The young Brass sisters tailed her around the kitchen, learning family recipes and tricks of the trade that launched their culinary careers. Now, with over 130 years of combined cooking experience, Marilynn and Sheila Brass have become a cultural phenomenon, publishing three books and starring in their own show on PBS, “The Food Flirts.”
We could think of no better guests for our first podcast before a live audience than Marilynn and Sheila. As enchanting as they are illuminating, the Brass sist...
2018-10-2350 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 50: Transgender Equality in MassachusettsFor Rabbi Becky Silverstein, the issue of gender rights and Jewish teaching is personal—and increasingly political. As a trans man and ordained rabbi, Becky applies his Jewish values daily to questions of identity and rights. On Nov. 6, Massachusetts residents will be asked to vote on trans rights on ballot Question 3, an initiative that asks if voters wish to uphold non-discrimination protections for transgender people in public spaces, including restaurants, parks, shops and even medical facilities, or repeal the existing law granting those protections.
Rabbi Becky talks to us about his own journey of self-identity and the very real threat of...
2018-10-1533 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 49: The Art of ApologizingAs Beyoncé sang in “Lemonade,” “Sorry, I ain’t sorry/No, no, hell nah!” We live in the age of #SorryNotSorry. From the “sorry if you were offended” statements from celebrities’ press agents to the “mistakes were made” verbal obstacle course taken by politicians to the mealy-mouthed, stumbling excuses and non-apologies from the many men implicated in the #MeToo movement, the art of apologizing seems to have been lost.
But we can find it again! Each year, Judaism gives us an opportunity for self-reflection and accountability. In fact, in the lead-up to Yom Kippur, Jews have the responsibility of apologizing to anyone we may have...
2018-09-0735 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 48: The Modern Mitzvah of BeekeepingThe small, humble bee has always loomed large in Jewish tradition. From the Torah describing Israel as a land flowing with milk and honey to the tradition of dipping apples in honey to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Judaism certainly appreciates the handiwork of these complex, tireless insects. Lately, science has come to understand the urgent importance of healthy bee populations, as well as feeding the world through pollination of plants and improving crop yields.
In fact, JewishBoston’s Miriam and Dan decided that beekeeping should be a new mitzvah and sought out two beekeepers—CJP staffers Brielle Berman and Cara Littlewood—to tel...
2018-08-2935 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 47: Photo Shoot for a CureJoin Miriam and Ashley as they speak to photographer Diana Levine, creator of Photo Shoot for a Cure, a photography-inspired cocktail party benefitting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. An estimated 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease, and there is no cure. Learn about Diana’s personal journey after her mother was diagnosed with the disease, what the Jewish community should know about genetic testing for the disease, and how everyone can harness their unique creativity for tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Want to attend or support Photo Shoot for a Cure on Saturday, Sept...
2018-08-2225 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 46: Jewish Summer Camp for Adults With Carine WarsawskiLove summer? Love camp? Us too!
Miriam and Dan are joined by Carine Warsawski, founder of Trybal Gatherings, the leading provider of Jewish camp experiences for young adults (yes, summer camp for adults!). Carine shares why camp is an important rite of passage for Jewish youth and discusses the magic of immersive Jewish experiences. Gather ‘round the campfire to hear all about the benefits of connecting in nature and gaining a sense of community by (gasp!) putting down our phones.
Interested in attending Trybal Gatherings’ experience in the Berkshires Sept. 6-9? Find more info here: https://www.jewishboston.com/events/jewi...
2018-08-0721 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 45: Legendary Jewish Food Expert Joan NathanJoin Miriam and special guest cohost Kali as they talk to renowned cookbook author Joan Nathan about her new cookbook, “King Solomon’s Table: A Culinary Exploration of Jewish Cooking from Around the World.” Find out why King Solomon was “the first foodie,” discover the diversity of the Jewish culinary experience and learn why genizah records are the key to unlocking our understanding of Jewish culinary history. Joan also reveals her favorite ingredient to cook with and shares her secret for baking the perfect challah.
Want to see Joan in person? Join her in Boston on July 26 for a cooking demo, book...
2018-07-1720 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 44: “Raiders of the Lost Ark” RevisitedThirty-seven years ago, the world’s greatest—and arguably least ethical—archaeologist of all time was introduced to filmgoers. “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” about a fast-talking, artifact-stealing, bring-a-gun-to-a-sword-fight adventurer, opened to rave reviews. Described as “the perfect adventure” and an “out-of-body experience of glorious imagination,” the film was nominated for no less than nine Academy Awards, winning five.
Dan and Miriam were joined in June—on the 37th anniversary of the film’s 1981 premiere—by special guest and severe snake phobist Ashley to explore this face-melting adventure of snakes, Nazis, more snakes, legless lizards masquerading as snakes, and dangerous Jewish artifacts. (Trigg...
2018-07-0933 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 43: Immigrant Family Separation CrisisIn this special episode, Dan and Miriam are joined by Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld of Hebrew College, Marjean Perhot of Catholic Charities and Sarah Abramson of CJP to discuss the unique role faith-based organizations play in addressing the immigrant family separation crisis.
CJP’s Fund to Aid Children and End Separation (FACES) will offer immediate aid through three organizations: Catholic Charities, the Young Center and the Interfaith Welcome Coalition. Donate here: http://bit.ly/2tY1JLb
Read Rabbi Anisfeld’s prayer for immigrant children and families here: https://www.jewishboston.com/prayer-for-immigrant-children-and-families
2018-07-0326 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 42: For Barry Shrage, the Times They Are A-Changin’In a few short weeks, CJP president Barry Shrage’s incredible three decades-long career at CJP will come to an end. But before he leaves, we catch up with Barry on our latest podcast to hear more about the next phase of his relentless pursuit to strengthen Jewish identity, community and learning at Brandeis University as both a professor and researcher.
What is Barry most proud of when he looks back at his career at CJP? What advice does he have for incoming president Rabbi Marc Baker? Will Johnny’s Luncheonette in Newton still see him four days a week? And...
2018-06-1825 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 41: Former IDF Spokesman on Gaza, the Embassy Move and Talking to HamasPeter Lerner—an author, retired Israel Defense Forces (IDF) lieutenant colonel, communications and strategy consultant, Israel advocate and former IDF spokesman—talks with us about the significance of recent events in Israel. Our conversation covers the ongoing riots on the border with Gaza, the unlikely developing relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and the intriguing and controversial suggestion on the need to engage with Hamas.
Find Peter on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/LTCPeterLerner
2018-06-1219 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 40: World Lacrosse Championships in IsraelFor two weeks in July, tiny, beloved Israel will be transformed into the center of the universe—at least the lacrosse universe. That’s because more than 48 nations, including Israel, are gearing up to participate in the quadrennial World Lacrosse Championships. The men’s home team, led by captain Jake Silberlicht and head coach Bill Beroza, have a real shot at winning a medal in the competition, which will be held in the beachfront city of Netanya.
We caught up with Jake and Bill just before the ball drops on lacrosse’s premier event to talk lax, playing team sports in the h...
2018-06-0630 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 39: Gender and JudaismDid you know there are six genders in Judaism? Mason Dunn, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and co-chair of Freedom for All Massachusetts, and Ev Evnen, director of MaeBright Group, joined JewishBoston for a wide-ranging discussion on gender identity and expression. You’ll never read the “Song of Songs” the same way again!
Learn more:
https://www.masstpc.org
https://www.freedommassachusetts.org
http://www.maebright.com
2018-05-2931 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 38: Neal Hoffman, Creator of “The Mensch on a Bench”Marblehead native Neal Hoffman had a problem to solve. His son, Jacob, looked at a Christmas toy—The Elf on the Shelf—and wanted one. Neal had a quick reply: “Jews don’t do elves on shelves. We do mensches on benches.”
From there, the gears were turning. Neal came up with designs, created a Kickstarter campaign and found himself on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” pitching a foot-tall plush doll, complete with a beard, tallit, black fedora and menorah, called “The Mensch on a Bench.”
The rest is (Jewish) history. Neal has created a modern Jewish icon with a back story, plush family...
2018-05-2223 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 37: 70 Years of Israeli Fashion With Liri CohenLiraz “Liri” Cohen Mordechai, Israeli fashionista and founder of Fashionating by Liri, talks to us about Israeli history through the lens of fashion. From the kibbutz to the runway, listen along as we explore the story behind the “intentionally effortless” Israeli style and the history of the Jewish state.
Learn more: https://www.fashionatingbyliri.com
2018-05-1628 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 36: How Israeli Innovation Heals the WorldAvi Jorisch, author of “Thou Shalt Innovate: How Israeli Ingenuity Repairs the World,” talks to israel360 and JewishBoston.com about how Israelis are helping to feed the hungry, cure the sick, protect the defenseless and make the desert bloom. Check out our third in a series of programs celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday.
Learn more about Avi and his book here: http://avijorisch.com
2018-04-2626 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 35: Olympic Skeleton Racer AJ Edelman on Sports, Israel and Life at 90 Miles per HourThis year, Israel, a country with nine ski lifts, three skating rinks and winter temperatures hovering around 60 degrees, sent a record 10 athletes to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Among them was AJ Edelman, a 26-year-old Orthodox Jew who attended Maimonides School and MIT in Boston. He has likened his sport to “taking a lunch tray, diving headfirst onto it and going 90 miles an hour down an icy chute.” We talked to AJ about his insane sport, representing Israel on the world stage and how he’ll be celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday.
Learn more about AJ here: http://www.israelskeleton.com/bio
2018-04-1838 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 34: Celebrating 70 Years of Israel With Miri EisinRetired Israel Defense Forces Col. Miri Eisin, like many Israelis, is ready to party. That’s because this month Israel will celebrate 70 years of the modern state. For Miri, it’s a time of joy and reflection. We discuss the significance of the upcoming anniversary, the incredible 48-hour period between Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day), and Miri’s hope for the next 70 years of the Jewish state. (Also beer, the Kardashians, real estate and beach workouts.)
Learn more:
http://www.mirieisin.com/en/index.html
2018-04-0523 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 33: Challenging Ideas of Disability, Beauty and “Othering” With Nataly ZukermanYou wouldn’t know that every step Nataly Zukerman takes is a deliberate act of will. She walks with a limp, but there’s no other indication that she was the victim of a catastrophic back injury at age 12 that nearly left her paralyzed. Now an actor in Tel Aviv, Nataly brings her audience with her on an exploration of beauty, perfection, disability and “othering.” Nataly, who is in Boston through April 9 as Israeli Stage’s 2018 artist-in-residence, shared with us her personal story of self-discovery, intimacy and subjects that are rarely addressed when talking about people with disabilities.
Learn more:
http://as-is...
2018-03-2926 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 32: We Watched All Four Hours of “The Ten Commandments” So You Don’t Have ToCecil B. DeMille’s magnum opus “The Ten Commandments” was released in 1956, and the world has cringed ever since. Join JewishBoston as Miriam, Ashley, Dan and Jesse try to make sense of Charlton Heston’s continuity beard, Yul Brynner’s polyester aesthetic, the predictably awful portrayal of female characters and the myriad perplexing additions to the plot that were definitely not from the Torah. Come for the bad special effects, stay for the remarkable wigs!
2018-03-2643 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 31: Zioness Co-Founder Amanda BermanAmanda Berman co-founded the Zioness Movement after one of the leaders of the 2017 Women’s March claimed that Zionists could not be both feminist and progressive. Amanda refused to accept the idea that Zionists had no seats at the table, so she created Zioness, a grassroots feminist group of social justice activists. Hear Amanda in our joint podcast with israel360 discuss why maintaining Zionist and progressive identities is completely compatible, the recent controversy about Louis Farrakhan and anti-Semitic sentiments in the Women’s March leadership, liberal Zionism in the age of Donald Trump, and how to get involved with Zioness for...
2018-03-2137 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 30: Photographer Udi Goren Hikes the Israel National TrailUdi Goren had an age-old solution to personal stress—a walk. In his case, a really long one. Over 600 miles, actually. With a heavy pack, camera bag and a hiking partner, Udi set out from Israel’s far northern border and hiked all the way south over the next 2.5 months, becoming the first professional photographer to hike and document the entire Israel National Trail.
Learn more:
http://udigoren.com
https://www.israeltrail.net
2018-03-1345 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 29: “The Big Lebowski” – 20 Years of Not Rolling on Shabbos“The Big Lebowski” was released in 1998, and its influence has grown each year. From festivals to pop art, it has become one of the great pop culture phenomena of our time. It’s hilarious, quotable, lovable and, most important for JewishBoston, delightfully laced with Jewish ideas and references. The 20th anniversary of the release of “The Big Lebowski” is March 6, making this the perfect time to look back on the movie and discuss what it has to say about Jewish identity.
2018-03-0633 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 28: From Haifa to Oxford – Meet the First Arab-Israeli Rhodes ScholarLian Najami is an inspiring young adult from Haifa who became the first Arab-Israeli to be offered a Rhodes Scholarship. Lian is a disability activist and was featured in Forbes “30 Under 30” in 2016. Fluent in five languages (Hebrew, Arabic, English, German and Spanish), Lian graduated from the University of Haifa in 2016 and interned in the United States for Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii. JewishBoston and israel360 were thrilled to have her speak about her life, activism and what Arab-Jewish coexistence in Israel means to her.
Learn more: https://twitter.com/liannajami
2018-03-0135 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 27: Ryan Lavarnway Talks Israeli BaseballTeam Israel wasn’t expected to make much noise at last year’s World Baseball Classic. That was before they beat Cuba, South Korea, Taiwan and the Netherlands. In fact, this scrappy group of overachievers did the unthinkable in moving on from the “Group of Death” to the second round. Former Boston Red Sox player Ryan Lavarnway, who hit over .560 in four games, was dominant. JewishBoston and israel360 talk to Ryan about baseball, Israel and the forthcoming documentary “Heading Home,” the story of Israel’s surprising and inspiring baseball team.
Learn more:
Israel Baseball: http://www.baseball.org.il/en
Ryan Lavarnway...
2018-02-1426 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 26: Rabbi Susan Silverman on Israel’s African Asylum SeekersAn Israeli government plan to deport 20,000 single, male African asylum seekers has activists ready to take drastic steps to keep them in the country. Activist Susan Silverman, an Israeli rabbi, tells us about the efforts underway to shield the men from forced deportation in this timely podcast with our friends at israel360.
Learn more:
http://rabbisusansilverman.com
https://www.facebook.com/MiklatIsrael
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-israels-new-plan-to-deport-africans-details-abound
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-begins-handing-out-deportation-notices-to-african-migrants
2018-02-0625 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 25: Israel’s Environmental Report Card – A Tu BiShvat PodcastTu BiShvat, which begins the evening of Jan. 30, is also known as the “New Year of the Trees.” What better time to check in on Israel’s environmental successes and challenges? We teamed up with our friends at israel360 to speak to Dr. Alon Tal, one of the country’s true green pioneers.
2018-01-2933 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 24: The Last Jewdi – Jewish Themes in “Star Wars”“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was perhaps the most controversial “Star Wars” film yet. We join forces with israel360 to look into hidden Jewish themes in what we thought was a great movie in this spoiler-filled podcast.
2018-01-2231 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 23: Barry Shrage on Bob Dylan’s Long-Lost Israel SongBob Dylan wrote one song about Israel in 1983—“Neighborhood Bully”—but it really stuck with CJP president Barry Shrage. What led Bob Dylan to write about Israel? And 35 years later, does the song hold up?
2018-01-0833 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 22: Meet Talleen Abu Hanna, Israel’s First Transgender Beauty QueenTalleen Abu Hanna was born in an Arab village in Israel. She always knew she was born in the wrong body—wearing dresses was “cute” until she was 8, then demands to “act like a man” increased. She eventually moved to Tel Aviv, became a model and won Miss Trans Israel, Israel’s first transgender beauty pageant. An avid spokesperson for Israel’s LGBTQ community, she shares her inspiring story with JewishBoston and israel360.
2017-12-0619 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 13: The 2016 Boston Jewish Film FestivalJesse is joined by Laura Mandel, executive director of the Jewish Arts Collaborative, and Ariana Cohen-Halberstam, artistic director of the Boston Jewish Film Festival. They discuss the 28th annual festival, which runs Nov. 9-21, whether Holocaust jokes are ever OK, their mutual love of all things Mel Brooks and if a documentary can really be animated.
Purchase tickets at http://www.bjff.org.
Read about three of the feature films at http://www.jewishboston.com/the-boston-jewish-film-festival-brings-jewish-experiences-to-the-big-screen.
Read about Jerry Lewis’ unreleased 1972 Holocaust drama at http://variety.com/2016/film/news/the-day-the-clown-cried-footage-jerry-lewis-holocaust-movie-online-1201798194.
And, lastly, Betty Boop for President (1932): https://www.youtube.com/wa...
2016-11-0140 min
The Vibe of the TribeEpisode 1: Hello!This is the first episode of the JewishBoston.com podcast with Jesse and Jen. We discuss who we are and what our podcast will be about, plus we have a lovely chat with Ariana Cohen-Halberstam, artistic director of the Boston Jewish Film Festival, which starts Nov. 4.
2015-10-3047 min
The Vibe of the TribeEliyahu Hanavi by Shawn Fogel and Josh CohenEliyahu Hanavi by Shawn Fogel and Josh Cohen by JewishBoston.com
2014-03-1101 min