Nice Jewish Fangirls

The Nice Jewish Fangirls are back, and talking all things Jewish and futures! Michal, Tamar, and SM interview Michael Burstein and Ian Randal Strock, editors of the new Jewish Futures anthology of science fiction. They discuss the inspiration, process, and surprises behind the project — including “Moon Melody,” SM’s contribution to the book! This week’s current obsessions include adventures in crafting, Amazon’s smorgasbord of sci-fi, and the HistoryHit family of history podcasts. Buy Jewish Futures in print on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Futures-Science-Fiction-Diaspora/) and on ebook at Fantastic Books (https://www.fantasticbooks.biz/product-page/jewish-futures-edited-by-michael-a-burstein?). Make sure to leave a review! You can also read Michael’s Jewish science fiction story "Kaddish for the Last Survivor" here: https://www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontpage/free-short-fiction-kaddish-for-the-last-survivor-by-michael-a-burstein Get our MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BO

The Nice Jewish Fangirls return to hold a series of interlocking discussions on meta-narratives! Using the upcoming Pesach holiday as springboard, the Fangirls talk about the nature of stories within stories, the purposes they serve, and the ones that stick with us from year to year. This week’s current obsessions are all about the small screen - Resident Alien on SyFy, Severance on AppleTV+, and Bridgerton on Netflix. The podcast episode Michal references is “The Jew Who Defied Rome” from HistoryHack: https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-5dj5w-76f3de Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter (twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumb

The Bottle Episode (Episode 56) In honor of the holiday of Purim, the Nice Jewish Fangirls converge to discuss a favorite television phenomenon: The bottle episode! What appeals to us about this kind of TV? Is necessity the mother of our favorite episodes? And what does the future hold for these tightly-written TV installments? For this week's current obsessions, the fangirls share their favorite drinks, from spirits to sodas. This episode was recorded during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. If you can, please consider donating to aid organizations helping the Ukrainian people in this time of war. The International Rescue Committee: https://help.rescue.org/donate/ukraine-web The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society: https://act.hias.org/page/6048/donate/1 AirBnB: https://www.airbnb.com/a/stays/Ukraine Listen to our episode on Purim racial sensitivity/decency here: https://soundcloud.com/user-598725600/purim-seriously-episode-37 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook:

The Nice Jewish Fangirls convene urgently (but not with haste) for the final installment of our Middot Mussar series! The fangirls debate the definition of “zerizut,” discuss how this trait links back to the first in the series, and explore its applications in fandom and fiction. Plus… singing? This week’s obsessions include the novel Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory, as narrated by Ari Fliakos, and rare shared preoccupation with the Netflix animated series Arcane. "Zrizus" from The Marvelous Midos Machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba5aj6EdvfI Middot Mussar source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?…with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can

What an honor to podcast for you! This week, the Nice Jewish Fangirls discuss the trait of honor (kavod) from fandom to reality. How is honor portrayed in fiction? Is it the same trait that the Middot Mussar refer to? What can we we learn from the nuances between these definitions, and how can we bring honor into our daily lives? This week’s obsessions include the online game Wordle, the Talmudic TikToks of Miriam Anzovin, and the hit Japanese anime Belle. Next time, we will be discussing the middah of zerizut! Middot Mussar source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?…with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter (twitter.com/j

The Nice Jewish Fangirls form a trust circle to discuss the attribute of… well, trust (bitachon)! How does trust play a role in fiction and fandom? What’s the difference between trust and faith? And what lessons can we take into the real world, beyond the stories we love? This week’s obsessions include fantasy enamel pins, Morality for Muggles by Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg and narrated by SM, and a confetti of reality shows including The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Glow Up, and Singles Inferno. Next time, we will be discussing the middah of honor! SM’s audiobook preview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AaABlEoj1DF8dnDamrXr_Wt-k3TYR_TL/view?fbclid=IwAR295_AIj3TDwpawOaNmUeuE_QN-PkrMPN_VRh28tbo-fckNHXA9goB6hkM Middot Mussar source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?…with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewish

The Nice Jewish Fangirls come together to talk about hakaras hatov — gratitude — the third of the Middot Mussar! Why is this trait different (and perhaps harder) than all other traits? Is it something we find easily in our favorite stories? How can gratitude help us become better fans, and better people as we engage in culture and entertainment? This week’s obsessions include the “squishy” astronaut Chris Hadfield, the K-Drama “Work Later, Drink Now,” and the Scholomance series by Naomi Novik. Next up on the middot list: Trust! We are now on SPOTIFY! https://open.spotify.com/show/7unZw7Zw4tMN3q8y4JyCjL?si=56055a3b894e4433 Middot Mussar source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?…with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts

The Nice Jewish Fangirls converge to discuss the second of the Middot Mussar: Nedivut -- generosity. Is being generous a value explored often in modern fiction? Where can we find it, and where can we find it lacking? And what role does generosity play in the real world of fandom and critical culture? This week’s obsessions include the Libby app (and libraries in general), Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the “Gone Medieval” and “Not Just the Tudors” podcasts from History Hit. Next up on the middot list: Gratitude! Middot Mussar source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?…with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter (twitter.com/ja

In their 50th episode, the Nice Jewish Fangirls converge to discuss "savlanut" (patience), the first of the Middot Mussar. Which characters and storylines most embody this trait? When is it a source of struggle, and why? Is impatience always a negative trait? And what can these stories tell us about our own journeys toward becoming more patient and accepting people? This week's obsessions include Hawkeye on Disney+, Derry Girls on Netflix, and SnappyDragon and the Jewish historical costuming community. Next up on the middot list: Generosity! Middot Mussar source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?…with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach

The Nice Jewish Fangirls return to share what they've been up to over the past year -- and of course, talk about all of the books, TV series, movies, weird preoccupations, podcasts, and skills they've become obsessed with! (Spoiler alert: It's a lot of things!) The Fangirls also announce the plan for their next set of episodes, so make sure to let them know what you think of the concept of savlanut (patience) in fiction and fandom! Middot Mussar source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter (twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or

BOO! The Nice Jewish Fangirls are joined by horror screenwriter and scary-stuff aficionado Avishai Weinberger to explore the whys and hows and what-fors of horror storytelling. Why do frights and freak-outs appeal to us (well, some of us!)? What's the difference between horror and tragedy? And how should newbies and scardy-cats explore the genre -- and what can we gain from facing our fears? This week's current obsessions include The Return of the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, Wentworth, Emily in Paris, and The Boys! Follow Avishai on Twitter @avishaiw, and watch his short film THIRD DATE here! https://youtu.be/v8Mpv5QvhIg Tamar's BOOK! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49249847-bts?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=X12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get our NEW MERCH! https://www.redbubble.com/people/inkasrain/shop Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com

This week, the Nice Jewish Fangirls take an in-depth look at the room where it happens: the sukkah! (That’s totally what you were thinking, right?) Michal, Tamar, and SM use the location-specific holiday of Succot to explore setting in fiction and fandom. Can a place make a story? Does a story make the place? Is any of this actually important? Tune in to find out! This week, we have forgone our Current Obsessions segment in honor of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…g1amzjbQy&rank=1 Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/people/inkasrain…-jewish-fangirls Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter (twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or visit their website at jamberg.me/

Challenge Accepted II: Electric Boogajew (Episode 46) Challenging times call for challenging… challenges! In this week’s episode, the Nice Jewish Fangirls rate and discuss the fandom challenges issued back in episode 42. Tamar talks about Bloodline by Claudia Grey and Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, Michal shares her take on Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite and Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston, and SM reviews The Witcher series on Netflix and a playlist of Bon Appétit videos — which spawns its own discussion on representation, escapist edutainment, and PAYING YOUR CONTRIBUTORS FAIRLY. This week’s current obsessions include Indian Matchmaking and Hyori’s BnB (both on Netflix) and the Podfichat discord server. Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…g1amzjbQy&rank=1 Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/people/inkasrain…-jewish-fangirls Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on

The Nice Jewish Fangirls return (with extreme caution) to celebrate the one and only Tamar Herman and discuss the release of her first book, BTS: Blood, Sweat, and Tears! Learn what Tamar's process is like, how she sat down to tackle this epic accomplishment, and the Jewish Pesach-eggs that she hid inside the finished product! Head over to GoodReads for more information, and order at your local independent bookseller! (...or Amazon and Barnes and Noble.) This week's (/the past several months') current obsessions include watching a lot of movies, ER, and the newest Digimon show. Tamar's BOOK! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49249847-bts?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ag1amzjbQy&rank=1 Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/people/inkasrain…-jewish-fangirls Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg.

The Nice Jewish Fangirls return to fail miserably at their stated mission of NOT talking about the viral sensation that's sweeping the nation. Also: What coping mechanisms are we using to get through this? This week's current obsessions include Kpop group Everglow's fashion, The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner and Shane by Jack Schaefer! Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/people/inkasrain…-jewish-fangirls Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter(twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or visit their website at jamberg.me/

In the latest episode of Nice Jewish Fangirls, Michal, Tamar, and SM open their fandom lockets and explore the stories that hold a permanent place in their hearts. Come for the inevitable Harry Potter discussion; stay for SM's passion for a... Western? This week's current obsessions include: Netflix's Locke and Key, the new album from BTS, and Cheer! Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/people/inkasrain/works/45021944-nice-jewish-fangirls Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter(twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or visit their website at jamberg.me/

The Nice Jewish Fangirls are back for the first new episode of 2020! Today they relive the days of their youth by remembering their first fandoms, and issue a fresh round of fandom challenges! This week's current obsessions are The Untamed, The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski, and podfication completion! Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter(twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or visit their website at jamberg.me/

The Nice Jewish Fangirls return!

The Nice Jewish Fangirls engage their imaginations to discuss that hottest of hot topics (in more ways than one) -- fanfiction! What attracts us to the world of transformative works? What do we love reading, and what totally turns us off? And what can we learn from this fantastic nook of flourishing fandom? This week's Current Obsessions include 'The Mandalorian' on Disney+, Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, and Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Let us know what you're obsessed with! Get in touch with us: Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter(twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or visit their website at jamberg.me/

Hungover from the holidays, the Nice Jewish Fangirls are still talking about forgiveness in November! Michal, SM, and Tamar gather around to discuss how the Jewish concept of forgiveness plays out in fiction, debate examples of our favorite forgiven baddies, and also contemplate the question that plagues us all: When do you read if you don't keep Shabbos? This week's Current Obsessions include the Kindle E-Reader interface, 'A Sword Named Truth' by Sherwood Smith, and Bon Apetite's addictive YouTube channel. Get in touch with us: Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice-jewish-fangirls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter(https://twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or visit their website at https://jamberg.me/