4 Aug 2025
The World of Sephardic Food
Sephardic Jewish cuisine is a vibrant reflection of history, encompassing diverse influences from Spain, Portugal, North Africa, and the Middle East. Foods like harira, shakshuka, and adafina highlight the shared cultural elements between Jewish and non-Jewish communities, revealing how cuisine serves as a bridge between heritage and modern identity.
10 Mar 2025
When Life’s a Drag: A Look into the History of Jews & Cross-Dressing
The episode explores the relationship between Jews and the cross-dressing traditions, exemplified by Purim celebrations, and how these practices have influenced Jewish identity and broader cultural developments. Engaging with historical and contemporary voices, it discusses how drag has served as a means of storytelling, identity exploration, and cultural resistance within Jewish communities.
22 Jan 2025
Death & Community: Jewish Burial Societies
Jewish burial societies, known as Hevra Kadisha, play a critical role in observing traditional Jewish rites related to death, ensuring the deceased are respectfully prepared and comfort is provided to mourners. This episode explores the historical development of these societies, their cultural significance, and their modern adaptations to include diverse Jewish communities and contemporary societal changes.
20 Nov 2024
Around the World with Jewish Newspapers
Jewish newspapers from around the world in the 19th and 20th centuries served as crucial mediums for cultural, political, and social dialogue within the Jewish communities. By delving into the Yiddish and Ladino presses of Argentina and the United States, scholars reveal their role in shaping Jewish thought and identity across time and geography.
21 Oct 2024
Alternative Zions: The Jewish Territorialist Movement
The Jewish Territorialist Movement, championed by figures such as Mordecai Manuel Noah and Israel Zangwill, explored the establishment of alternative homelands for Jews outside of Palestine until the mid-20th century. Despite numerous ambitious plans for places like New York, East Africa, Suriname, and Australia, the movement ultimately dissolved as Zionism became the predominant approach to Jewish statehood.
10 Sep 2024
What Makes Someone Jewish?
The episode explores the complex question of Jewish identity, examining elements like lineage, religion, race, ethnicity, and connection to Israel. Scholars discuss varied perspectives on being Jewish, highlighting debates on religious, cultural, and national identities from historical, social, and spiritual angles.
20 Jun 2024
Jewish Head Coverings: A Blessing On Your Head
Jews worldwide have developed diverse head covering customs, such as yarmulkes, hats, wigs, and scarves, which reflect gender roles, assimilation, and identity beyond halachic commandments. Modern Jewish head coverings connect personal choice with larger cultural and religious narratives, including expressions of feminism and non-binary identities.
26 Mar 2024
Introducing the AJS Critical Sources Podcast
The AJS Critical Sources Podcast, a new addition to the Adventures in Jewish Studies lineup, features Jewish studies scholars delving into significant sources that resonate with them. Hosted by Avinoam Patt, the podcast examines how scholars analyze and interpret various sources such as poems, speeches, and objects, especially in the context of recent events like the October 7 massacre in southern Israel. Scholars explore how their perspectives on these sources have evolved before and after the mentioned tragic event, offering insights into the ways in which they seek evidence and understand the past and present.
12 Feb 2024
Yiddish Socialists and the Garment Industry
In this episode, the focus is on the role of Yiddish-speaking immigrants in the American garment industry and their efforts to fight for workers' rights. The discussion highlights the central position of Jews in the industry a century ago, as well as their fusion of class and culture to empower generations of garment workers. The guests, Daniel Katz and Caroline Luce, provide insights into how Yiddish socialists played a significant role in this movement.
13 Dec 2023
Rethinking Holocaust Education
In this episode, host Avishay Artsy discusses with educators Sarah Ellen Zarrow and Jody Spiegel the topic of Holocaust education in response to the rising antisemitic incidents. They delve into the importance of Holocaust memory as a tool to combat antisemitism, but also emphasize the need to avoid its misuse. The conversation explores the complexities and challenges of Holocaust education, suggesting that a rethinking of the approach might be necessary to effectively address contemporary forms of antisemitism.
24 Oct 2023
Jews in Colonial America
This episode of Adventures in Jewish Studies examines the experiences of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews who migrated to various American colonies in the late seventeenth century, such as Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. These settlers, who were escaping religious oppression and searching for commercial prospects, highlight the significant role Jews played in shaping American history. The episode features guest scholars Shari Rabin and Toni Pitock, who, alongside host Erin Phillips, explore the limited knowledge about these early Jewish settlers, the reasons behind this scarcity of information, and ongoing research efforts to uncover more about their lives.
31 May 2023
Jewish Pilgrimages
In this episode, the hosts and scholars delve into the significance of Jewish pilgrimages worldwide. These pilgrimages are not just about reaching a physical destination, but are also about seeking wisdom, healing, and blessings. The scholars discuss how Jewish diaspora communities embark on these journeys for social and spiritual purposes. By examining three different Jewish pilgrimages, they uncover common elements that connect all types of Jewish pilgrims.
3 May 2023
The Many Lives of Kabbalah
In this episode, host Avishay Artsy speaks with guest scholars Clémence Boulouque and Hartley Lachter about the multifaceted nature of Kabbalah. They discuss how Kabbalah has played a significant role in Jewish faith and has provided access to mystical knowledge. They also explore how Kabbalah has acted as a bridge for intercultural and interreligious exchange. Overall, the conversation delves into the various ways Kabbalah has influenced Jewish thought and its broader impact beyond the Jewish community.
8 Feb 2023
Do Jews Believe in Magic?
In this episode, the Talmud's prohibition of sorcery is explored alongside the presence of magic in Jewish history. The discussion delves into various aspects, including Jewish magical rituals, artifacts, angelology, and demonology. The scholars also examine how magical practices within Judaism have evolved over time. While the Talmud forbids sorcery, the conversation highlights the historical existence and significance of magic in Jewish culture.
7 Nov 2022
The Many Genders of Judaism
In this episode, the host and guest scholars discuss the construction of gender in Judaism. They examine the "seven genders of the Talmud" and discuss the experiences of transgendered and non-binary Jews. They also highlight how gender creativity is making Judaism more inclusive and fair for all.
29 Sep 2022
Kol Nidre: Yom Kippur's Most Famous Melody
In this discussion, scholars Laura S. Lieber and Judah Cohen, along with host Avishay Artsy, delve into the significance of Kol Nidre - the opening prayer recited at the beginning of Yom Kippur services. They explore how this emotional and dramatic prayer has been subject to criticism, bans, and misuse over time. The guests provide insights into the content of Kol Nidre, the origins of its melody, and its distinctive role in Jewish religious and cultural traditions.
19 Jul 2022
Disability & Inclusion in Judaism
In this episode of Adventures in Jewish Studies, host Avishay Artsy and guest scholars Julia Watts Belser and nili Broyer discuss the connection between Jewish studies and disability studies. They explore how disability is portrayed in Jewish texts and stories, including the story of Moses and the founding of the Jewish state. The scholars also address ongoing efforts to make Jewish life more inclusive for people with disabilities.
24 May 2022
The Future of Kosher Food
In this episode, a discussion takes place on the future of kosher food. The scholars explore various questions such as the kosher status of bugs, CBD/THC edibles, and Impossible Pork. They also consider the possibility of certifying entirely new substances, like lab-grown meat. Another aspect they delve into is how social justice intersects with kosher restrictions. Overall, the scholars aim to provide insights and potential implications for the future of kosher eating.
9 Mar 2022
Jewish Honor Courts
The podcast episode explores the topic of Jewish Honor Courts that took place in post-World War II Europe and Israel. These courts were established to address accusations of collaboration by Jews who were thought to have assisted the Nazis. The trials aimed to heal the community and rebuild trust, using social punishments rather than legal penalties. The episode features guest scholars, Dan Porat and Laura Jockusch, who shed light on the subject, highlighting its historical significance.
2 Feb 2022
5782: A Shmita Year
In this discussion, scholars Adrienne Krone and Hava Tirosh-Samuelson explore the concept of the Shmita year, a biblical mandate for a year of rest during which fields lie fallow and debts are forgiven. They note that historically, the full observance of the Shmita year has been limited to Israel, with the practice being more of an ideal than a reality. However, they highlight the growing emphasis on Jewish environmental consciousness across the diaspora and the reinterpretation of the Shmita practice for the modern era. The discussion touches on the history of the Shmita and its significance in Jewish tradition.