Jewish Mother Me

Join us for a cosy and uplifting chat with Jeff Wayne, legendary composer of War Of The Worlds, not just about music but about his Jewish roots, the influence of Jewish mothers (and fathers) and the wonderful warmth of his wife and family.

Mothers-in-law have long been the butt of jokes. It can be a tricky relationship - as Victoria Beckham has discovered. But it doesn't have to be. In fact, it can be quite the opposite … as we discuss

When Daniella Lerner gave birth to quintuplets, only one, her daughter, Jodie, survived. In a deeply moving interview Daniella speaks candidly about her experiences of motherhood and how she learnt to adopt the philosophy of 'it's enough' in order to move on from bad times and look to the future.

Model, film producer and entrepreneur, Caprice Bourret opens up about her Jewish faith, her 'miraculous' babies  and why a nice Jewish girl is now making Christmas movies!  All life is wrapped up in Cap`s warm, witty and wise views. Prepare to be comforted and uplifted.. And watch out for Caprice`s next film,  'A Scottish Christmas Secret'

Bobby Seagull is a teacher, writer and broadcaster. Yet, for this maths genius, what is yet to add up is finding THE ONE. A former star of the Netflix series 'Indian Matchmaking' , Bobby talks to us about turning to Jewish mothers for romantic advice.

Writer, broadcaster, Holocaust educator and television personality Rob 'Judge' Rinder MBE reflects on the love, guidance and influence he has enjoyed from the Jewish women in his family - not least his extraordinary mum, Angela Cohen.

When our colleague Noemie lost her beloved 'Mama', a Holocaust survivor, her grief was compounded by the knowledge that the world had also lost another witness to the horrors of the Nazis. In a deeply moving interview Noemie shares how she balances personal bereavement with the responsibility of ensuring the world never forgets the suffering of her mother and the dangers of antisemitic hatred.

Our podcasters talk about being Jewish during the festive season, why they still love Christmas and what it means to celebrate Chanuka at the same time

When Mandy Barash was diagnosed with incurable ovarian cancer she, and her husband Russell, vowed to keep the illness a secret and make every moment count. Following the untimely passing of this extraordinary woma, Russ has had to experience family milestones without her including the marriage of their only daughter and becoming a first time grandparent . So is he now both mother and father? With great candour Russ reflects on love, loss and hope for the future.

We podcasters reflect on the Jewish New Year - its honey drenched tastes, timeless traditions and the chance to forgive and be forgiven.

Journalist and Christian priest Giles Fraser has a Jewish wife, and their children are being raised in both traditions. Giles shares with us the blessings of this blended life

It's people not wrinkles who can make us feel older. Some Jewish Mother Me tips on how to avoid this!

Irene Estry is the UK's oldest fitness instructor. Still stretching and bending at 82 , Irene has refused to fold in the face of tough personal challenges and shows no sign of slowing down.

We discuss the marathon preparation for the festival of Pesach (Passover) - the food, the cleaning, the exhaustion and, eventually, the exhilaration!

At a time of turmoil, prejudice and intolerance, we wonder why there`s so much hate when it`s so much easier to love?

Do actors need to be Jewish to play a Jewish mother? Tamsin Greig, from TV's Friday Night Dinner, thinks so. We discuss…

Warm - hearted chat with Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of investigations at 'The Times',  who reflects on his modern orthodox Jewish background, his path to parenthood with husband Robin and the  forming of new traditions as they raise their little boy together.

Author, broadcaster and editor-at-large of the New European, Matthew d'Ancona, who isn't Jewish, reflects on his connection with Judaism, not least through his deep friendship with the late Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

We chat to award-winning British journalist, novelist and Editor of The Jewish Chronicle, Jake Wallis Simons, about his fascinating career and journey through Judaism

With so many lives brutalised, after Hamas attacked Israel, and with so much suffering in the world, as Jewish mothers we look for ways to find light in the darkness.

We talk to the inspirational Devorah Kay whose son, Eli, was murdered by a Hamas terrorist

Why do some women find it so hard to take a compliment? Our podcasters wonder, in the case of Jewish women, if it's down to the imposter syndrome experienced by generations of Jewish mothers.

For a taste of home comfort join us as we feast on memories of the foods our beloved Jewish mothers used to make.

We talk to the charismatic Aleeza Ben Shalom, star of hit TV show 'Jewish Matchmaking', who is bringing love, light - and matches - to the world

When Michelle Ciffer's husband, Adrian, was dying of cancer he insisted that his one time teenage bride must find love again. In an extraordinary story, that crosses the Atlantic, Michelle shares her journey through grief, loss and renewal.

Journalist, author and former Channel 4 and Newsnight Economics Editor, Paul Mason touchingly reflects on the influence of his late mother and her wider Jewish family.

We pass on wisdom we've learned from Jewish matriarchs we've known in a bid to help the troubled Prince . (Even if he didn't ask for it!)

Writer, broadcaster and former politician, Edwina Currie, talks about her formidable Jewish mother, her career and - oy! - marrying out.

Auschwitz survivor Ike Alterman was 13 years old when his beloved mother, Chawa, was marched away by the Nazis, along with his brother and sister. In this deeply moving interview, Ike reflects on their traumatic separation, how his mother was 'always with me' throughout his own horrendous Holocaust experience, and why, at the age of 94, he finally travelled to the Treblinka death camp, in Poland, where she was murdered, so that he could say Kaddish (the Jewish memorial prayer) for his fallen family.

We talk to award-winning singer/songwriter and founder member of 10cc, Graham Gouldman, about his beloved mother and her influence on his illustrious career

Manchester born award-winning author Howard Jacobson is on home turf as he talks to we fellow Mancunians about work, life and, of course, his own Jewish mother.

Reflections On The Loss Of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

In this soulful episode we talk about emotional planning for the things ahead we know we can't change

Prince William look alike Dan Tannenbaum talks about steering away from 'traditional careers'

Enjoy the wit, warmth and wisdom of two formidable Jewish mothers as we chat to multi-award-winning producer, Nicola Shindler OBE and her legendary school teacher mum, Gaye.

The mum of an only child explains how she and her husband made peace with their unsuccessful struggle to have more children

Phil Salter reflects on the impact of being sent away to boarding school at 9 years old

Friendship can be both exhilarating and exhausting. But Jewish maternal wisdom is there to guide us in the art of being a good pal.

We talk to mum of nine, Leah Cohen, about why her door is always open…

Photographer Tanya Duman talks openly about her still born daughter and how she found the strength, after loss, to 'look to the light'3

Former government minister, Ivan Lewis, reflects on the trauma and triumph of his mother's life and how it's impacted on his own

When charm becomes cheek...

What today's daughters think of their Jewish mothers...

Aliza Reger talks to us about running the legendary lingerie business founded by her late mother, Janet Reger. And, every pun intended, being a 'bala-bust-a'

interview with Lord Daniel Finklestein on his extraordinary Jewish mother, Mirjam, a survivor of the Holocaust

Interview with Sheitl (wig) maker Avi Miller - and why modesty is power!

Jewish mothers are said to be hugely ambitious for those they love. But is pushing the best way to get children, partners and friends to aim high? Or in reality, are Jewish mothers more subtle than that and do they, in fact, pull away?

Are you a guilt tripper – or do you often get made to feel guilty? Jewish mothers have a long standing relationship with guilt. But is there something we can learn from Jewish mothers about how to deal with guilt? This is the podcast episode which promises not to make you feel bad…

Who is the Jewish mother? The butt of age old jokes (Q: How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a light bulb? A : Forget it, I`ll just sit in the dark). But what is it about the innate character of the Jewish mother? Are the clichés and jokes deserved – from the paranoia and over feeding to the unstoppable desire to mother (and smother) in order to make the world a happier place?. As three women who have been nurtured by Jewish mothers (and are now Jewish mothers ourselves) we celebrate the good bits – and cringe a little at the other bits.

Episode Four 'Broygus' - the Yiddish word for that simmering feud which can burn your heart and eat into your soul. Adopting the wisdom of our Jewish mothers we look at why these resentments happen and how we can try to go about resolving them.

Friday Night Dinner Not the Channel 4 comedy show. Rather, the Sabbath meal which forms the cornerstone of the Jewish mother's week. Our trio of Jewish mothers have cooked (and eaten) gallons of chicken soup. Yet there's so much more to this special end of the week event. In this podcast our hosts wonder whether every home should have a Friday night dinner – wherever and however you live.