Cleveland Schmooze

This week, we are talking to Cantor Alyssa Rosenbaum from Bnai Jeshurun Congregation. The Cantor tells us about her early love of temple, and her path to a career in the clergy.  We recorded this conversation with Cantor Rosenbaum at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week, we are talking to Darby Steiger, Director of Qualitative Research and Survey Design at SSRS. Darby tells us about her Jewish upbringing, how she landed in Cleveland and how it's become increasingly difficult to get people to participate in surveys. We recorded this conversation with Darby Steiger at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week, we are talking to B'nai Jeshurun Congregation's newest rabbis, who also happen to be married. Rabbi Joshua Jacobs and Rabbi Alex Rosenbaum tell us the story of how they met, their paths to becoming rabbis and how they both landed in Cleveland. We recorded this conversation with Rabbi Jacobs and Rabbi Rosenbaum at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week, we are talking to Dr. Bob Katz, who worked for over half-a-century as an ear, nose and throat doctor. He spoke to us about the history of the Cleveland medical community, as well as his own medical journey.  We recorded this conversation with Dr. Bob Katz at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.  

This week, we are talking to Daniel Horowitz, a genealogy expert at My Heritage.  He lives in Israel but was recently in town as a speaker for the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland's 40th anniversary kick-off event.  We recorded this conversation with Daniel Horowitz at the Orange Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. We'll also be taking our summer break. See you in the fall!

This week, we are talking to Jill Zimon, the executive director of the Ohio Debate Commission. Jill tells us about her Jewish upbringing and her decades of work in public service. We recorded this conversation with Jill Zimon at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation.

This week, we are talking to Lauren Freiman about her Jewish upbringing and how she landed in Cleveland.  Lauren also shares her life as a writer, parent, and volunteer at B'nai Jeshurun congregation and Mandel JDS.  We recorded this conversation with Lauren Freiman at the Beachwood Library. 

This week, we are talking to Nina and Larry Rosner about their Jewish upbringings and how they both arrived in Cleveland. Nina talks about her evolving relationship to her Jewish faith, and Larry tells us about his parents, who were Holocaust survivors, and his experience serving in the Israeli army. We recorded this conversation with the Rosners at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week, we are talking to Dr. Laura Shefner and her husband, Max Warren, about their Jewish upbringings and their careers. Laura is a pediatrician at MetroHealth, and Max is a Software Developer. We also asked them what it was like getting married and having their first child in the middle of a pandemic. We recorded this conversation with Laura and Max at their home in Shaker Heights.

This week we are talking to Dr. Rebekah Dorman, the president of B'nai Jeshurun Congregation, and Director of the Cuyahoga County Office of Early Childhood as well as Invest in Children. We talked to Rebekah about her path to becoming a more observant Jew, as well her working helping young families in the community. We recorded this conversation with Rebekah Dorman over Zoom.

This week we are talking to Dr. Rafi Simon, the librarian at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation, and a longtime public school educator. We asked Rafi about what brought him to library science, and about his mission to deliver Jewish books around the world. We recorded this conversation with Rafi Simon over Zoom. And we'd like to note that this is the final episode of the season, but we'll be back in the fall to schmooze some more. Have a happy summer! 

This week we are talking to Bart Bookatz, who has been a funeral director for over 50 years. Bart is a principle of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel. We talk to him about what got him started in the funeral business, some of the traditions surrounding Jewish mourning and what the last year has been like, dealing with the uncertainty of the pandemic. We recorded this conversation with Bart Bookatz over Zoom.

This week we are talking to Jerry and Cindy Brodsky, who are two active members of B'nai Jeshurun Congregation. Jerry is the president of the Men's Club and Cindy is on the board of the Sisterhood. We talk to them about their Jewish upbringings and their role in bringing the Purim Spiel to the synagogue. We recorded this conversation with Jerry and Cindy Brodsky over Zoom.

This week we are talking to Joanna Hardis, a therapist who specializes in anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She tells us about her complicated relationship to her Jewish faith and about her career working in mental health. She also discusses her work with Project Parachute, which provides pro bono healthcare to frontline workers. We recorded this conversation with Joanna Hardis over Zoom. To find out more about Joanna's work, check out her website, or Facebook page.

This week we brought the first Rood daughter into the mix for a fun end of year chat. She turns the tables and asks the hosts a few questions about the making of this podcast and the year ahead. We recorded this conversation with Shaina Rood at the Rood residence in South Russell. And just a heads up that we'll be taking a brief winter hiatus, and will be back with new episodes in early 2021. Happy New Year!

This week we are talking to Emily Einhorn, a senior philosophy major at DePaul University. She is spending her last semester of school back home in Cleveland due to the pandemic. She tells us what it's been like being a student about to enter the job market in the middle of a pandemic. And she talks about helping the Jewish Federation of Cleveland create a Community Cookbook.

This week we are talking to Rabbi Josh Foster at B'nai Jeshurun Congregation. He oversees the congregation’s Youth & Learning Center and Bessie Hershey Religious School. He tells us about how he became a Rabbi and how the pandemic has impacted religious education and the high holy days. We recorded this conversation with Rabbi over Zoom. And just a note that for the time being, we'll be recording these episodes on a monthly basis. We hope to resume bi-weekly episodes in 2021.

This week we are talking to Dr. Michael Rabovsky, a family physician with the Cleveland Clinic. He tells us about how he came to become a doctor, and shares his thoughts on the pandemic. We taped this conversation with Dr. Michael Rabovsky six feet apart at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. And just a note that this is our last episode of Season 3 before our summer break, but we'll be back in the fall with more episodes. In the meantime, check out our archive by going to clevelandschmooze.com. And if you have an interview suggestion or want to share any feedback, email us at clevelandschmooze@gmail.com.

This week we are talking to Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria of B'nai Jeshurun Congregation about this year's community-wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which has gone virtual this year due to the pandemic. Many people were involved in transforming this annual event into Tikkun @ Home, including chair Harriet Rosenberg Mann, vice chair Richard Berkowitz and lead staff Shani Kadis. We taped this conversation with Rabbi Rudin-Luria six feet apart at Bnai Jeshurun in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to the co-owner of Stone Oven Wholesale Bakery, Estra Grant, who runs the business with her husband James. She told us about having a bat mitzvah at age 40 and how her family landed in Cleveland after many moves. In keeping with social distance guidelines, we spoke with Estra virtually through Facetime.

This week we are talking to philanthropist Barbara Kupps, who calls herself a promoter of positivity. She told us about her work supporting organizations like the Friendship Circle of Cleveland and investing in people she believes in. And she tells about her ongoing battle with breast cancer. In keeping with social distance guidelines, we spoke with Barbara virtually through Zoom.

This week we are talking to Leslie Robbins, a social worker with University Hospitals. She told us about growing up in an interfaith home and getting married to an interfaith partner. She also discussed what it's been like working in a hospital setting during the coronavirus. In keeping with social distance guidelines, we spoke with Leslie virtually through Facetime.

This week we are talking to Jon Miller Steiger, Director of the Federal Trade Commission's, East Central Region. He told us about his career in consumer protection, including during the coronavirus. He also discusses his love of musical theater. In keeping with social distance guidelines, we spoke with Jon virtually through Facetime.

This week we are talking to two branches of the Katz family, who recently held a large reunion in Cleveland. We met with Deborah Katz and Elise Norman Cundiff who are both descendants of the same family that immigrated to the US from Lithuania generations ago. We sat down with Deborah and Elise at Park Synagogue East in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to Cantor Aaron Shifman, who’s been with B'nai Jeshurun for over two decades. He is a sixth generation cantor and we talk to him about growing up in South Africa and about his involvement in the annual Purim Spiel play at B’nai Jeshurun, which is being held this year at 6pm on Sunday March 1st. We sat down with Cantor Shifman at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to Allie Kneitel, a certified Child Life specialist at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. She tells us about working with children and their families to make sure they have an advocate in the health care setting. We sat down with Allie Kneitel at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

Last episode, we spoke to Sid Wakser, about his role with the Jewish War Veterans Paul A Rosenblum Post 44. This week, we talk to three women who are part of that post's Ladies Auxiliary. Bernice Rothman, Shirley Silver and Betty Fishman tell us about how women supported veterans and their families and how they hope the organization stays around for a long time. We sat down with these ladies at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to Sid Wakser about his role with the Jewish War Veterans Paul A Rosenblum Post 44. He tells us about his time in the military and how the group gives resources to veterans in the region and creates community. We sat down with Sid Wakser at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week is the second part of our conversation with Sheryl Hirsh, Assistant Director of Jewish Lifelong Learning at Case Western Reserve University. Last episode we learned that Sheryl lost her daughter to the opioid crisis. We left off with her daughter trying to get help for her addiction. We'll continue hearing Sheryl's story and learn about Sheryl's current activism in the fight against opioids. We recommend listening to part 1 before continuing. We spoke to Sheryl Hirsh at Siegal Lifelong Learning Program in Beachwood.

This week we are talking to Sheryl Hirsh, Assistant Director of Jewish Lifelong Learning at Case Western Reserve University. Sheryl lost her daughter to the opioid crisis in 2013 and has made it her mission to educate the community by sharing her story. Sheryl has become an advocate for education and discusses opioid addiction and what is being done to help slow down the problem. Because Sheryl’s story is so powerful, we have decided to share it over the next two episodes. We spoke to Sheryl Hirsh at Siegal Lifelong Learning Program in Beachwood.

This week we are talking to Rachel Gross, who, along with her sister, Sarah, is the new owner of Bialy's Bagels in University Heights. She tells us about her path to bagels, which funny enough, involved starting a cream cheese business. We sat down with Rachel Gross at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to Dr. Isaac Kirstein, dean of the Cleveland campus of Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. He tells us about his path to becoming dean and how his Jewish upbringing impacts his outlook as a medical professional. We sat down with Dr. Kirstein at his office in Warrensville Heights.

This week we are talking to Marsha Aronovich, a physical therapist at the Cleveland VA. She tells us about her upbringing in Pittsburgh and how she found her Jewish community in Cleveland. We sat down with Marsha at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to Cathy Randall who loves games, especially mahjong. She tells us how she got interested in playing and about how the game bonds her with her family. We sat down with Cathy Randall at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to Louise Freilich, outgoing director of the Face to Face Holocaust Education Program. She tells us why teaching young people about the holocaust is more important now than ever. We sat down with Louise at Congregation Shaarey Tikvah in Beachwood.

This week we are keeping it in the family by talking to Robin's husband and Rachel's dad, Dr. Mark Rood. We ask Mark about what it's like being a family physician who has served Northeast Ohio for over 30 years. We sat down with him at our home in South Russell.

This week we are talking about an all-night study session of Jewish learning, called Tikkun Leil Shavuot, with organizers Harriet Rosenberg Mann and Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria. Tikkun has been held at Bnai Jeshurun for close to 20 years and brings together residents from across Northeast Ohio. We sat down with Harriet and Rabbi Hal at Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

This week we are talking to Stu and Jay Davis, whose family has owned Davis Bakery since 1939. Anyone in Northeast Ohio knows you can't match the bakery's Jewish rye bread, coconut bars, Russia tea biscuits or hot corned beef. They told us about not only continuing the family legacy but the legacy of being a Jewish Cleveland Institution. We sat down with Stu and Jay at Davis Bakery in Woodmere.

This week we’re talking with Allison Solomon, Membership Director for Park Synagogue. She tells us about raising a family today in the Cleveland Jewish community and her role at a synagogue celebrating it’s 150th year. We sat down with Allison Solomon at Park Synagogue East.

This week we’re talking with Dahlia Fisher, director of external relations at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. She’s also a writer who wrote a children’s book in coordination with the Museum called, “Ari & Abigail’s Passport to Israel,” which goes along with their new exhibit, “Israel: Then and Now.”

This week we’re talking about sports with Sports Medicine Doctor Aaron Wolkoff. He tells us about his love of playing soccer and helping his community become healthy and active.

We're back from holiday break! This week we’re bringing you an interview with Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria of B'nai Jeshurun Congregation. We talk about his journey to becoming a rabbi and how the Cleveland community came together after the tragic shooting of a Pittsburgh synagogue.

This week we’re bringing you an interview with another mom and daughter team, Kay Greenwald and Natalie Winer. They are co-owners of Cake Bites and Other Delights, and we talk to the duo about what it’s like being entrepreneurs and how much their company has grown.

This week we’re bringing you an interview with archivist Sean Martin, who’s not Jewish, but he is the Associate Curator for Jewish History at the Western Reserve Historical Society. Martin tells us about the importance of archiving Jewish culture and finding your genealogical roots.

This week we’re bringing you an interview with acclaimed local chef, Doug Katz. He’s the owner of Fire food and drink at Shaker Square and caters all around Northeast Ohio. Chef Katz tells us about his love of cooking and how Jewish food is part of his identity.

We’re bringing you an interview with conservation activists, Dave Partington and Barbara Zaas Partington. Their mission is to preserve the Geauga Parks and get the greater community engaged with the great outdoors.

We bring you a conversation with someone with a passion for continuing education, Brian Amkraut. He’s the Executive Director of the Laura and Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program, which is part of Case Western Reserve University. We sat down with him at his office in Beachwood.

We talk with Bernie and Carolyn Stulberg about the string competition created in honor of Bernie’s father Julius, and how it’s grown from its humble origins in Kalamazoo, Michigan to become an international success.

We talk with entrepreneur and kitchen manager of Bnai Jeshurun Congregation, Paul Fierman. Paul is currently working to become a chef at Cuyahoga Community College and is hoping to get his horseradish business off the ground. He also tells us about a motorcycle ride coming up in June that will raise money for the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.

We talk with Faye Sholiton, a standout writer and director in the Cleveland theater scene, and the founding artistic director of Interplay Jewish Theatre.

We talk to Rabbi Stephen Weiss about his road to Jewish Cleveland, and his thoughts on social activism as well as the state of Israel turning 70.