Jewish Philly

This month, we’re putting a Jewish lens on the never-ending story of Philadelphia’s soda tax, followed by a conversation with the newly named editor of the Jewish Exponent Liz Spikol, and finally we’re sharing the story of Hedy Lamarr, the 1940’s movie star whose innovative inventions became the future foundation for wifi. In tribute to the recent Women's History Month, we had the privilege to sit down with Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Transportation, Leslie S. Richards, to talk about her work to empower woman at PennDot, her plans to make Philly’s most dangerous roads more safe, and what it’s like to be the highest ranking Jewish woman in Pennsylvania’s government.

This month, we’re breaking down the age old stereotype of Jewish anxiety, followed by a conversation about the rise of antisemitism in Europe with Israeli reporter Eldad Beck, and finally we’re honoring Jewish Disability and Awareness month by paying tribute to three amazing Jews with physical handicaps who have made incredible achievements in their communities.We also had the honor to sit down with Shelby and Amy Zitelman, two of the three sisters behind the company Soom Foods, to talk about they turned their passion into a business, the partnerships they've built with Philadelphia chefs and restaurants and a million uses for tahini.All products are available at soomfoods.com or on Amazon. Check them out on instagram @soomfoods.

It’s 2019, and we’re kicking off the new year by celebrating new life and examining the challenges facing Jewish millennials and young parenthood, followed by a conversation about the recent Womens March with Jewish Exponent reporter Selah Maya Zighelboim and finally we’ll share the story of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who marched in Selma arm in arm with Martin Luther King, Jr. in pursuit of righteousness and equality. We also had the honor to sit down with Pennsylvania’s Attorney General Josh Shapiro to talk about the issue that has propelled him on to the national stage, the Pennsylvania Catholic clergy abuse scandal. We also talk about how his Jewish values guide him as Pennsylvania’s head lawyer, his future political plans and his advice for Jewish communities combatting anti-Semitism.

We’re wrapping up 2018, beginning with a review of how Jewish communities fared this year, followed by a conversation on the recent controversy surrounding a Temple University Professor with Jewish Exponent reporter Jesse Bernstein, and finally we’re digging in to the background on why Jews flock to Chinese food restaurants on Christmas. Matilda the Musical is blowing up at the Walnut Street Theater this holiday season, and we had a chance to interview two young Jewish women who share the starring role, Ellie Biron and Jemma Bleu Greenbaum. We had a chance to sit down with the two starlets to discuss how they balance school and their stage performances, why they love being Jewish and we may have even gotten them to sing one of their favorite songs from the show.

This month, we recorded our podcast live at our Main Event at the Kimmel Center! We start with a recap of the evening’s internet sensation, known affectionately as “snow camel” with our boss Steve Rosenberg and then we go live to the Main Event floor to hear from our guests about their favorite memories of Israel.The evening was our final celebration of Israel’s 70th anniversary, and it was our immense honor to sit down with our special guest Avi Issacharoff, co-creator and producer of the Netflix hit Fauda. Live from his green room backstage, we talk about his background covering wars and conflict for Israel Public Radio, how his experience getting to know members of militant groups helped develop the characters in Fauda, and his thoughts on the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

This month, we’re talking about all things voting, starting with an update on the millennial outlook for the upcoming midterms, followed by a conversation on the local Philly political landscape with Jewish Exponent reporter Joshua Needleman and finally we’ll honor Gertrude Elion, the Nobel Prize winner who overcame discrimination to save lives.And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with political strategist Larry Ceisler to discuss what it’s like to be Israel’s PR representative, the challenges of remaining nonpartisan in an increasingly partisan world and his advice for young Jews who are seeking a career in Philly politics.

This month we’re taking a Jewish lens to the classic fall staple, the Pumpkin Spice Latte, we’re checking in on the status of the relationship of Diaspora Jews and Israel with the new Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Isaac Herzog and we’re sharing the surprising story of how the famous French mime Marcel Marceau saved Jewish children from the Nazis.And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with the founder of the enormously popular Honeygrow restaurants, Justin Rosenberg, to discuss his innovative model of combining healthy food with touchscreen technology, his vision for the future of casual dining, and the hidden Torah messages found in Honeygrow’s name.

This month we’re talking about the controversy behind Sacha Baron Cohen’s new show Who is America, the status of Jewish Media in America via the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent and the story of Hayim Nahman Bialik, Israel’s national poet and a pioneer of the modern Hebrew language.And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down for a VIP conversation with Philadelphia’s fiscal watchdog, Controller Rebecca Rhynhart.

This month we’re talking about Amazon potentially opening their second headquarters in Philadelphia, catching up with recent Young Leadership Awardee Andy Kaplin to hear about all things NextGen and finally we’re sharing the surprising backstory and life of “Strange Fruit” author Abel Meeropol.And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with fashion blogger and art gallery director Emunah Wircberg to talk about her success in the world of modest fashion, celebrating Shabbat and Art on First Fridays in Old City, and how she stays cool in a heat wave.

This bonus episode for pride month features an interview with three representatives of the organization Israel Gay Youth.

This month we discuss a new survey on Millennials and their knowledge of Jewish History, a fascinating conversation on LGBTQ rights in Israel with three representatives from the organization Israel Gay Youth, and the surprising Jewish history of a summertime staple: the classic American hot dog. And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with Philadelphia Orchestra Interim President Ryan Fleur to discuss his family's Jewish history and his experience in Israel with the recent successful Philadelphia Orchestra tour and patron mission.

This month we discuss the joys and complexities of our recent public Israel celebrations; talk with Rabbi Rachel Kobrin about domestic abuse through a Jewish lens; and we pay tribute to the first Jewish person ever elected to public office in the U.S. – in 1774. In honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we also sat down with politician and lawyer Gov. Ed Rendell to talk about his connections to Judaism, bringing Israeli businesses to Philadelphia, and of course, the Eagles Superbowl win.

It’s April 2018, and for this episode we’re talking about the Quaker City String Band and their internationally acclaimed “Fiddling with Tradition” performance, followed by a conversation with politician turned documentary film producer Sam Katz on his next project dedicated to Philadelphia’s Jewish history and finally we’ll travel back to 1894 to document the journey of the first female Jewish international sports sensation, Annie Kopchovsky.And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with the renowned Israeli chef and philanthropist Michael Solomonov to talk about his Grandmother’s famous borekas, his love of Israel in all of its contradictions and the tragedy that lead him to find his life's path.

It’s March 2018, and for our inaugural episode we’ll be discussing Jewish teens in the age of the Me Too movement, followed by an eccentric Purim story straight from the Eagles playbook with Jewish Exponent editor Joshua Runyan, and finally a commemoration of a revered Jewish composer and conductor who’s 100th birthday is being celebrated all over Philadelphia.And in honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, we’re sitting down with former US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro to talk about family life in the Tel Aviv embassy and his views on the future of the two state solution. Thanks for tuning in and welcome to Jewish Philly!