15 Jul 2025
Roots, Identity, and Belonging: A Journey Through African Jewish Heritage
Jessica Jantjies, a Cape Town-based writer, delves into her complex heritage as a colored South African with Jewish, Indigenous, and African roots, highlighting hidden narratives and enriching traditional Jewish identity. Her journey through her identity and the Lemba community underscores the significance of inclusive storytelling within the Jewish diaspora.
8 Apr 2025
A message from Rivka
Rivka Campbell expresses gratitude towards The CJN, her producer, Michael Fraiman, and her listeners as she closes this chapter of her podcast journey. She invites everyone to stay tuned for the next chapter of Rivkush, promising to continue highlighting underrepresented voices in the Jewish community.
4 Feb 2025
Galeet Dardashti on reviving Middle Eastern Jewish culture through music
Galeet Dardashti, a singer and anthropologist, explores her Mizrahi Jewish roots and the musical legacy of her Iranian grandfather, Iran's most famous Jewish singer, by creating music that celebrates and revives Middle Eastern and North African Jewish culture. She stresses the importance of diversifying Jewish identity narratives in North America, often dominated by Ashkenazi perspectives, to embrace the richness of Mizrahi and Sephardi traditions.
17 Dec 2024
With 'Jew Jitsu', Dmitri Shufutinsky wants to flip anti-Israel arguments on their head
Dmitri Shufutinsky's book, 'Jew Jitsu,' provides counterarguments to anti-Israel rhetoric by turning the arguments back on their originators, focusing on educating about leftist antisemitism and radicalization. Through his personal experiences and critical analysis, Shufutinsky addresses common misconceptions and stereotypes about Israel, advocating for more nuanced and historically accurate discussions.
6 Nov 2024
A new illustrated book hopes to redefine 'What Jewish Looks Like'
Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard discuss their new book, "What Jewish Looks Like," which aims to showcase the diverse faces of Judaism in an accessible, family-friendly format. Despite the positive reception, they continue to face challenges such as microaggressions, highlighting the ongoing need for education and dialogue on Jewish diversity.
30 Sep 2024
'It pains me': Gad Saad reflects on the unfulfilled potential of a pluralistic Lebanon
Gad Saad shares his experiences growing up as a Jewish person in Lebanon amidst pervasive anti-Semitic sentiment and discusses the country's potential return to pluralism. He emphasizes the dangers of unchecked Jew hatred and warns about the troubling spread of anti-Semitism globally.
28 Aug 2024
Adiel Cohen channels his Yemini heritage to fight for Israel—on two fronts
Adiel Cohen, drawing on his Yemeni Jewish heritage, shares his story of re-enlisting in the Israeli army during conflict and fighting misinformation on social media. His personal narrative highlights the cultural misconceptions about Israel and emphasizes the nation's Middle Eastern identity contrasted against global perceptions.
28 Aug 2024
Adiel Cohen channels his Yemini heritage to fight for Israel—on two fronts
Adiel Cohen shares his experiences of being called back to military service in Israel following the attacks on October 7th, and how he continues to battle anti-Zionist sentiment online by sharing his Yemeni Jewish heritage. His family's history, especially his grandmother's journey from Yemen to Israel, serves as a foundation for his activism and TikTok influence aimed at countering narratives that portray Israel as merely a land for European colonizers.
17 Jul 2024
Ysabella Hazan wants to flip the narrative of Jewish 'colonization'
Ysabella Hazan challenges the notion of Jewish colonization, arguing for a "Decolonized Judean" identity that views Jews as indigenous to Israel. She emphasizes rejecting imposed non-Jewish interpretations of Judaism and draws attention to mischaracterizations in the ongoing Israel-Palestine discourse.
17 Jul 2024
Ysabella Hazan wants to flip the narrative of Jewish 'colonization'
Jewish activist Ysabella Hazan challenges the labeling of Israel as a colonizing force, emphasizing the indigenous roots of Jews to the land of Israel. Through her movement "Decolonized Judean," Hazan seeks to reshape Jewish identity by disconnecting from imposed non-Jewish narratives and reinforcing Jewish cultural and historical ties to Judea.
11 Jun 2024
In her poetry, Zilka Joseph channels the stories of her Bene Israel ancestors in India
Zilka Joseph reflects on the rich history of the Bene Israel community in India through her poetry, exploring cultural traditions and personal stories that connect past and present. Her work provides insight into how the community maintained their Jewish identity while integrating into Indian society and facing modern challenges.
11 Jun 2024
In her poetry, Zilka Joseph channels the stories of her Bene Israel ancestors in India
Zilka Joseph, an author and poet from the Bene Israel Jewish community in India, shares stories of her ancestors and personal experiences in her poetry collection, "Sweet Malida: Memories of a Bene Israel Woman." The discussion explores the historical and cultural identity of the Bene Israel, their integration into Indian society, and the preservation of their unique traditions while facing modern challenges.
14 Mar 2024
How Sarah Kolker uses art to inspire her communities—Jewish, Black and beyond
Sarah Kolker, a Jewish artist and social justice advocate, uses her artistic talents to revitalize community spaces in Philadelphia, fostering a sense of belonging and safety. As director of jkid4all, she works to create inclusive Jewish communities for families of color, emphasizing cultural diversity and connection.
14 Mar 2024
How Sarah Kolker uses art to inspire her communities—Jewish, Black and beyond
Sarah Kolker revitalized a neglected park in her Philadelphia neighborhood through community mobilization and art, transforming it into a vibrant space for gatherings. As director of jkid4all, she uses her art and advocacy skills to create inclusive environments for Jewish families of color, marrying her cultural and artistic identities to foster community cohesion.
13 Feb 2024
Leah Finkelstein wants Orthodox Jews of colour to feel welcome—so she's offering to take them to shul
Leah Finkelstein, as an Orthodox Jewish woman of color, discusses the challenges of being an outsider in her religious community and her journey to founding Am Echad Inclusive Alliance, an organization for Jews of color. Through hosting inclusive Shabbat meals and accompanying members to synagogue, she aims to combat racial bias and create a diverse, welcoming Jewish environment.
13 Feb 2024
Leah Finkelstein wants Orthodox Jews of colour to feel welcome—so she's offering to take them to shul
Leah Finkelstein, an Orthodox Jewish woman of color, shares her experiences and challenges in the Jewish community, highlighting racism faced by Jews of color. She discusses her initiative, Am Echad Inclusive Alliance, aimed at fostering inclusivity and providing support to Jews of color within the Orthodox community.
25 Jan 2024
'We want to belong to a common narrative': Devyani Saltzman on making systemic changes happen
Devyani Saltzman discusses her dedication to transforming the leadership landscape in the arts industry, addressing tokenism, and advocating for genuinely inclusive spaces. She shares her journey navigating two cultures, the challenges facing Jews of color, and her efforts to establish equitable frameworks in cultural institutions.
25 Jan 2024
'We want to belong to a common narrative': Devyani Saltzman on making systemic changes happen
Devyani Saltzman discusses the systemic changes needed in the arts industry, focusing on the lack of diversity in leadership despite apparent diversity in programming. She emphasizes the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for people of color beyond tokenism and explores how arts can evolve to be truly inclusive and representative.
13 Dec 2023
In her art, Tamara Podemski channels the survival of her ancestors—both Jewish and Indigenous
Tamara Podemski, an artist of Jewish and Indigenous descent, draws on the survival of her ancestors in her work, influenced by their experiences of generational trauma from the Holocaust and residential schools. Growing up with these stories, she intertwines themes of struggle and resilience in her acting and singing, reflecting her own challenges in navigating societies that haven't always embraced her, including the Jewish community. In a podcast called Rivkush, which features conversations with Jews of color, Podemski discusses her upbringing in Jewish Toronto, her connection to her First Nations heritage, and her upcoming role in the FX series Reservation Dogs.
22 Nov 2023
Chaya Lev, a Black Jew in Israel, desribes life in Israel after Oct. 7—and why Palestinians aren't people of colour
Chaya Lev, a Black Jew in Israel, shares her experiences living in Israel post-October 7, detailing the impact of surviving breast cancer and making aliyah in 2016. She recounts a harrowing moment during a Hamas terror attack when she and her synagogue members had to flee with Torah scrolls. Amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas, Lev challenges the notion that Palestinians are "people of colour" in the context of Israel, expressing her perspective on social media. In a podcast interview with Rivkush, part of The CJN's series on Jews of colour, Lev offers insights into her life during the conflict.