Bad Jew Weekly
Summary: An irreverent, inclusive take on Judaism from the baddest Jewess around. Jewish and interested in learning more, but terrified of going to synagogue? Not Jewish and curious, but don't know where to begin? Somewhere in between? This is the podcast for you.
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- Artist: Jenna Reback
Podcasts:
This Tuesday night, we'll celebrate the beginning of Shavuot. Jenna explores what Shavuot is, why it's dope, and why we received the Torah in the wilderness.
What is the Haftorah? Why do we read it? Why is it so inaccessible? Jenna chats with Dan Libenson and Lex Rofes of the "Judaism Unbound" podcast about all of this this--and what it means to be a Jewish prophet. To support "Bad Jew Weekly," visit https://www.patreon.com/badjewweekly or email Jenna at badjewweekly@gmail.com For more information on the tkhines that Lex mentions, check out: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/tkhines To read Lex's thoughts on Abraham Joshua Heschel and civil rights, go here: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/southern-and-jewish/selma-its-not-about-the-jews-and-thats-okay/
It's almost Lag B'Omer. Jenna, having just learned what the holiday is about, is excited to discuss it with you! (Hint: bonfires and Kabbalah.) Continuing in the mysticism vein, Jenna then chats with Rachelle Tratt of the Neshama Project about growing from adversity, conscious consumerism, everyday tzedakah, and how a chance encounter can change your life. Last but not least, Jenna struggles with a parshah she despises. Check out the Neshama Project at: https://theneshamaproject.com/
In honor of Yom Haatzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, Jenna offers a progressive prayer for a peaceful, just Israel. Jenna then chats with Maryam Saleemi, the Communications and Development Manager of NewGround, a Muslim-Jewish leadership organization in Los Angeles, about building interfaith friendships. Check out the "Two Faiths One Prayer" video created by Maryam and her class of NewGround Fellows here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWP1nvy5C_U In honor of Yom Haatzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, Jenna offers a progressive prayer for a peaceful, just Israel. Jenna then chats with Maryam Saleemi, the Communications and Development Manager of NewGround, a Muslim-Jewish leadership organization in Los Angeles, about building Muslim-Jewish friendships. Check out the "Two Faiths One Prayer" video created by Maryam and her class of NewGround Fellows here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWP1nvy5C_U
Israel is frequently described as "Startup Nation" for its role as a global power in technological innovation, but Professor Gadi Ariav of Tel Aviv University's Coller School of Management has coined a new term: "Imagination Nation." Gadi talks with Jenna about why Israelis are great innovators, the role of Israel in the global tech community, and what we can learn about the national character of Israel by studying its inventions. In "Torah Time," Jenna unpacks a doozy of a (double) Torah Portion.
Jenna talks about ideological conflict within the Jewish community and interviews Yasmin Radjy and Sophie Sadinsky of the Resistance School about activism, resistance, and why the Torah tells stories about imperfect people.
Jenna learned a lot of new stuff at her family's Seders this year, and now she's sharing it with you! Come for the fascinating Passover facts, stay for the interviews with Jenna's friends and family. This is not a drill.
Jenna offers her response to antisemitism and chats with Anna Goodman of JQ international about synagogue attire, dancing with drag queens, and making Jewish spaces welcoming and inclusive for the LGBTQ community. Jenna also thinks that #jewishfire is a cool hashtag.
Vayikra (known in English as Leviticus), the third book of the Torah, is weird, gross, and seemingly incompatible with our modern lives. Jenna argues for why we should give it a chance. Special guest New York Times best-selling cookbook author Erin Gleeson talks about her Jewish journey, overcoming hosting anxiety, and why you don't need to be perfect to host Shabbat.
Jenna grapples with current Jewish world events and investigates one the concepts in Judaism she finds most difficult. Special guest Sam Lerner regales Jenna with tales from his Hebrew School days, being on the "Jewiest" show in network television, and keeping his Instagram game strong. Follow Sam on Instagram at @samlerner and follow Jenna @badjewweekly.
Is meditation a Jewish practice? What the heck is Jewish mysticism? Jenna chats with Jewish artist, mystic and realm creator Fabian Lijtmaer about painting, talking to God, and Iron Maiden. Check out more of Fabian's work at unboundpictures.com and @unboundpictures on Instagram.
Jenna tells the story of Purim, a holiday in which we drink to excess and celebrate one woman's challenging of the patriarchy. (And some other stuff too.) Seriously, it's a great holiday. Purim is lit.
Jenna chats with environmentalist Erin Schrode about Standing Rock, talking across the aisle, everyday ecological advocacy, being proudly Jewish in the face of hatred, and the case for optimism.
What does it mean for a space to be sacred? What does it mean to be lovingly critical of Israel? Most importantly, can you be Jewish and have tattoos? Jenna chats with Emily Holtzman, a first-year rabbinical student at American Jewish University. As always, you can reach Jenna at badjewweekly@gmail.com.
REISSUED without without weird sound gaps, even though Jenna still says "days of yore" twice! Did you know that Iran has the second biggest Jewish community in the Middle East after Israel? Jenna talks to Professor Ben Radd of UCLA about the Iranian Jewish community in Iran and in America, Iranian military power, and the complex Iran-Israel relationship.
