JEW-ISH

My guest this week is Jake Cohen. Jake is a professional chef who studied at the Culinary Institute of America, during and after which he spent time working the line at DANIEL and ABC Kitchen in New York City. He then moved into food media, contributing to notable publications such as Saveur Magazine, TastingTable.com and Time Out New York. Jake is about to release his first book, 'Jew-Ish: A Cookbook: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch (https://www.wakeandjake.com/jewish-a-cookbook) .' You can follow Jake on Instagram @JakeCohen (https://www.instagram.com/jakecohen/) , and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_podcast (https://www.twitter.com/jewish_podcast/) .

I'm delighted to welcome back Ben Freeman to the podcast in celebration of the release of his book 'Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People.' In our conversation, we spoke about what inspired Ben to write this book, his own personal journey with Jewish pride, and the main message he wants people to take away from the book. You can purchase Ben's book from Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jewish-Pride-Rebuilding-Ben-Freeman/dp/1913532135) or all other major book retailers. You can follow Ben on Twitter @BenMFreeman (https://twitter.com/benmfreeman) , and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

My guest this week is Isaac De Castro, co-founder of Jewish on Campus, a social media-based organisation that focuses on fighting and bringing attention to antisemitism on college campuses. Isaac is originally from Panama City, and is currently studying History of Architecture and Urban Development at Cornell University. You can follow Jewish On Campus on Instagram @JewishOnCampus (https://www.instagram.com/jewishoncampus) , and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

My guest this week is Brian Chase. Brian is the drummer for Grammy nominated indie rock band The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and he also runs his own record label, Chaikin Records (https://www.chaikinrecords.com/) , specialising in experimental and avant-garde music. In our conversation, we spoke about Brian's Jewish upbringing, the perception of God in Jewish liturgy, and the different ways he has interpreted Jewish practices to fit within the framework of his own life. You can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) , and if you're enjoying the podcast, please consider becoming an official patron at https://www.patreon.com/jewishthepodcast. 

My guest this week is Amy Albertson. Amy is a Chinese-American Jew, originally from California. Amy went through her own personal journey discovering her Jewish identity, culminating in her moving to Israel for 6 years. You can follow Amy on Instagram @theamyalbertson (https://www.instagram.com/theamyalbertson/) , and you can find out more about Amy and her time in Israel at amyalbertson.com (https://www.amyalbertson.com/) . You can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) . If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider becoming an official patron at https://www.patreon.com/jewishthepodcast.

My guest this week is American musician Ezra Furman. Ezra has released 5 albums, and also wrote the original soundtrack for the Netflix series Sex Education. In 2018, they also wrote the 33⅓ book on Lou Reed's classic album Transformer. In our conversation we spoke about Jewish musicians and the impact they had on our own musical journeys, our own Jewish identities and how they play a part in our music, and the challenges Ezra has faced keeping Jewish practices on tour. You can follow Ezra on Twitter @EzraFurman (https://twitter.com/ezrafurman) , and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) . If you're enjoying the podcast, head over to our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/jewishthepodcast) to find out how you can become an official patron. 

To celebrate the wide range of guests I've had on the podcast, I've decided to do a best of 2020 episode highlighting some of my favourite conversations I've had this year. I've learned so much from my guests this year, and I can't wait to continue learning in 2021. If you'd like to support the podcast, please consider becoming an official patron here (https://www.patreon.com/jewishthepodcast) . Happy new year!

My guest this week is Rabbi Josh Yuter. Rabbi Josh was ordained in 2003, and was the Rabbi of Stanton Street Shul in New York City between 2008 – 2014. Other than his Rabbinical studies, he is also an award-winning blogger writing on various issues pertaining to law, theology, and society. In our conversation, we spoke about his duties as a Rabbi, whether social media can be used as an effective tool to fight antisemitism, and the role that Israel plays in modern Jewish identity. You can follow Rabbi Josh on Twitter @JYuter (https://twitter.com/jyuter) , and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) . Happy Hanukkah!

My guest this week is Israeli writer, activist and international speaker, Hen Mazzig. Hen is a Mizrahi Jew with heritage from Iraq and North Africa. He served in the IDF for 5 years as a humanitarian officer, working as an intermediary between the IDF and the Palestinian Authority, the UN, and the many non-governmental organisations that work in the West Bank. You can follow Hen on Twitter (https://twitter.com/henmazzig) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/henmazzig) @HenMazzig, and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

My guest this week is Josh Cole. Josh is Head of Comedy at BBC Studios and is the founder of Buttmitzvah, an immersive queer Jewish clubnight that’s entertained thousands at sold out parties in London & New York. In our conversation, we spoke about how Josh came up with the idea for Buttmitzvah, his thoughts on Jewish comedy and Jewish comedians, and his identity as a gay Jewish person. You can follow Josh on Instagram @joshc0le (https://www.instagram.com/joshc0le/) , and you can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

My guest this week is Rabbi Sandra Lawson. Rabbi Sandra is an activist, public speaker and musician, and is currently the the Hillel rabbi and associate chaplain for Jewish life on North Carolina’s Elon University campus. In our conversation, we speak about her journey to becoming a rabbi, whether Jewish communities have work to do when it comes to inclusivity, and how she has navigates her identity as a queer, black and jewish person. You can follow Rabbi Sandra on Twitter and Instagram @RabbiSandra (https://twitter.com/rabbisandra) , and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) . You can also become an official patron of the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/jewishthepodcast.

My guest this week is singer-songwriter Hilary Hawn. Hilary has been extremely vocal about her views as a progressive Zionist Jew, and has used her Instagram platform to combat antisemitism and raise awareness of political issues from a Jewish perspective. You can follow Hilary on Instagram @hilalove (https://www.instagram.com/hilalove/) , and you can find her music on all streaming services under the name HRH. You can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://www.twitter.com/jewish_podcast/) , and don't forget to become an official Patron of the podcast at http://patreon.com/jewishthepodcast.

My guest this week is Naftali Aklum. Naftali has Ethiopian Jewish heritage, and is the youngest of 12 brothers and sisters. His family were among the first to make the journey from Ethiopia to Sudan, and eventually from Sudan to Isreal. He lives in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, and created the Yerus project in order to bring the story of the Ethiopian Jews to a wider audience. Due to the pandemic, the Yerus project needs your help to continue spreading the story of the Ethiopian Jews. Visit jewsofethiopia.com to find out more about the Yerus project, and click here to donate: https://my.israelgives.org/en/campaign/SaveYerusproject?fbclid=IwAR1xA4iDwzVmyOr4yPIr1e9ltssPKzkg8FZRxWdUi5TqDYj5Hmen5pah3u8

My guest this week is rapper Rami Matan, AKA Kosha Dillz. Rami is originally from Edison, New Jersey, and has Romanian and Israeli heritage. He isn't scared about bringing his Jewish identity to the forefront with his music, and often uses it as a way to provoke and ultimately bring people together. His new album, Nobody Cares Except You, is available to buy or stream everywhere now. You can follow Rami on Twitter @koshadillz (https://twitter.com/koshadillz) , and you can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

My guest this week is Debbie Lechtman. Debbie is the jewellery maker behind Roots Metals, based Los Angeles. She creates beautiful pieces inspired by her Jewish, Middle Eastern and Latin American heritage. She has built up an impressive Instagram following, and has recently dedicated her platform to educating people about Antisemitism and political issues from a Jewish perspective. You can follow Debbie on Instagram @RootsMetals (https://www.instagram.com/rootsmetals/) , and you can follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

My guest this week is drag queen and musician Ash Kenazi. Ash and I grew up nearby to each other, so we have a lot of the same perspectives on Jewish culture. In our interview, we spoke about how Judaism related to his coming out and his journey to becoming a drag queen, our shared experience of Israel through the lens of Jewish summer camps, and Jewish life growing up in North London. You can follow Ash on Instagram @Ash_Kenazi (https://www.instagram.com/ash_kenazi/) , and you can listen to Ash's band Happyness on all streaming services. Follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://www.instagram.com/jewish_podcast/) .

My guest this week is Rachel Gurevich, one of three people behind the Jewish Liberal Instagram account. With over 14k followers, Jewish Liberal provides an even-handed, digestible perspective on key Jewish political issues, such as Zionism, BDS, Israel/Palestine relations, and more. Follow Jewish Liberal on instagram @jewishliberal (https://www.instagram.com/jewishliberal/) , and you can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://www.instagram.com/jewish_podcast/) .

My guest this week is trainee Rabbi Lev Taylor. Lev grew up in a liberal Jewish community in Reading, with a family who were extremely dedicated to the Marxist ideology. He’s currently in his 4th year of Rabbinical training and is assigned to Newcastle Reform synagogue. In our conversation we speak about what made Lev decide to become a Rabbi, the history of Judaism and Socialism, and how Antisemitism manifests itself in the left wing today. Follow Lev on Twitter @levvity (https://twitter.com/levvity) , and you can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

Ben M. Freeman is a world-renowned educator who focuses on Jewish identity, antisemitism and raising awareness of the Holocaust. His first book, Jewish Pride: Rebuilding A People, coming out next year, aims to educate, inspire and empower Jews to reject the shame of antisemitism and to begin the process of exploring and embracing their own identities as proud Jews. You can follow Ben on Twitter @benmfreeman (https://twitter.com/BenMFreeman) and you can find out more about his work on his website, benmfreeman.com (https://www.benmfreeman.com/) . You can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) , and you can email me at jewishthepodcast@gmail.com.

My guest this week is musician Oscar Scheller. He released his first album 'Cut & Paste' in 2016, and his second album 'HTTP404' in 2019. He has also written and produced many other notable artists. I spoke to Oscar about our thoughts on Jewish identity, how Judaism inspired his music, and his relationship with Israel. You can find Oscar's music on all streaming services, and you can follow Oscar on Twitter @oscar_scheller (https://twitter.com/oscar_scheller) , and you can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) . 

My guest this week is Eve Barlow. Eve is a music journalist who has written for NME, The Guardian, Pitchfork, and more. She's recently dedicated her online platform to combating the rise of antisemitism, and has become one of the most outspoken voices on the subject. You can follow Eve on Twitter at @eve_barlow (https://twitter.com/Eve_Barlow) , and you can follow me on Twitter @jewish_podcast (https://twitter.com/jewish_podcast) .

My guest this week is Danny Stone, head of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, a UK-based organisation aiming to educate and inform policy makers about antisemitism in the UK. He is also a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his services to combating hate crime. You can follow Danny on twitter @Dannystone1 (https://twitter.com/DannyStone1) , and you can find out more about the Antisemitism Policy Trust at Antisemitism.org.uk (http://antisemitism.org.uk) .

Here's a quick rundown of what to expect from this podcast, and my motivation for doing it. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @Jewish_Podcast for more info and updates on upcoming guests.