Jews are culturally, religiously, politically, and ethnically unique yet diverse. This podcast aims to explore all of the intricacies and intersectionalities that come with being Jewish. Sometimes we go broad and sometimes we go deep, sometimes it's heavy and sometimes it's light, but it's always eye-opening. Episodes include conversations with academics, scientists, artists, creatives, people who all bring a different lens to the question, “what does it mean to be Jewish in the 21st century?” Whether you're someone who grew up Jewish, Jew-ish, or you joined us by family or by choice, or if you're someone who's just curious, you are welcome here.
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Ashkenazi Herbalism with Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel
Season 2 · Episode 8
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 • Duration 50:47
Deatra Cohen and Adam Siegel have explored the world of Jewish medicinal plant healers within the communities of the Pale of Settlement in Eastern Europe, and written a book to share their findings. As trained librarians and linguists, Deatra and Adam were uniquely suited to uncover these practices that lasted from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era, hidden by language barriers and obscure documents. The book is eye-opening and includes the first materia medica of 26 plants and herbs essential to Ashkenazi folk medicine. In this interview, Deatra and Adam discuss their research process, the legacy of Ashkenazi herbalism, and how their experiences as Jews interacted with their work.
—Share On Wandering with a Friend (IRL or via Twitter)
—Buy Me a Coffee. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create the best show possible.
This episode was produced and presented by Clarissa Marks with music by Gillicuddy.
This episode was recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present, and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
Transcending Jewish Trauma with Jo Kent Katz
Season 2 · Episode 7
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 • Duration 40:10
We dig into a topic that has come up in many of the conversations on this podcast: intergenerational trauma. The study of this phenomenon is relatively new, but it’s resonated with many Jews whose ancestors’ survived violence and persecution. To take a closer look at this, Clarissa talks to Jo Kent Katz, a Therapist, Ritualist, and Political Educator. In 2020, Jo launched a website called “Transcending Jewish Trauma” to help Jews unpack and heal from inherited unconscious beliefs and behaviors associated with ancestral trauma. Included on the website is a map that explores the many manifestations of collective trauma experienced by Ashkenazi Jews living in the US.
Jewish Ethnicity, Jewish Joy, Mizrahi Culture, and Decolonizing Jewishness, with Yasmine Esther
Season 2 · Episode 6
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 • Duration 47:51
Clarissa talks to Yasmine Esther, a community educator, and a Bukharan, Ashkenazi, and Mizrahi Jew. Yasmine’s made it her mission to inform Jews and non-Jews alike about Jewish politics and culture. With over sixteen-thousand followers on Instagram, Yasmine combats misconceptions and erasure of Jewish customs and history. She often shares about overlooked parts of her multifaceted culture including food, clothing, music and jewelry from her Mizrahi and Bukharin background. Yasmine also has black family members, and her educational work incorporates confronting anti-blackness and racism.
EPISODE NOTES
**Announcement**: On Wandering will be on summer break starting in July. New, monthly episodes will resume in the fall.
Persian Jewish Culture, Stigmas, Taboos, and Mental Health, with Nicole Nowparvar
Season 2 · Episode 5
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 • Duration 41:53
Forty years ago, thousands of Jews fled Iran after the Islamic Revolution, settling primarily in Los Angeles. Nicole Nowparvar is a member of that Persian Jewish community. She’s a psychotherapist, and the cofounder of Chaya, a community of intimate gatherings for Jewish Iranians. In this conversation, Clarissa talks with Nicole about how social, familial, and cultural expectations shape the community and the way that Chaya is helping individuals navigate what it means to be Jewish Iranian in the U.S.
This list is in no way exhaustive – and we’re open to suggestions. We’ve tried to include resources that are thoughtful and align with the goal of justice and liberation for all people in the region.
You can follow Clarissa on Twitter and Instagram @ClarissaRMarks
To share your thoughts, suggest a topic or a guest, or just say “hi,” send an email to hello@onwandering.co
Jewish New York with Dr. Deborah Dash Moore
Season 2 · Episode 4
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 • Duration 54:02
Clarissa talks with Dr. Deborah Dash Moore, a professor of Jewish History, about a city that holds a special place for American Jews and Jewish culture: New York City. They talk about her book “Jewish New York,” how Jews transformed the city of New York, and how the city transformed them.
Judaism without Patriarchy, #metoo, and Welcoming Jews of all Genders, with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg
Season 2 · Episode 3
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 • Duration 47:14
Clarissa talks with Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg about the influence of the patriarchy on Judaism and how it impacts gender roles in Jewish spaces today. In the early 2000s, Rabbi Kinberg had to act as a whistleblower in a sexual abuse case involving a clergy member. Clarissa asks Rabbi Kinberg about that experience, and her approach to leading tough conversations on gender equality and justice within the larger Jewish community.
Note: This interview was recorded before the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United State.
The Caged Bird Tweets of Freedom: Black Jewish Life and Twitter, with Jesi Taylor Cruz
Season 2 · Episode 2
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 • Duration 42:27
DESCRIPTION
Clarissa talks to journalist and graduate student of philosophy Jesi Taylor Cruz about her paper “The Caged Bird Tweets of Freedom: On the Digital Hypervisibility of Black Jewish life.” They discuss race and racism in the Jewish community, and the ways in which digital spaces, and Black, Jewish Twitter (Jwitter), in particular, has offered Black Jews a way to build community on a global scale.
You can follow Clarissa on Twitter and Instagram @ClarissaRMarks
Find the transcript for this show at
Embracing Yiddish Language, Theater, Culture, and History, with Rokhl Kafrissen
Season 2 · Episode 1
Tuesday, January 26, 2021 • Duration 45:17
Clarissa talks to Rokhl Kafrissen, a Yiddish cultural critic and playwright. You may know her from her column in Tablet Magazine, Rokhl’s Golden City, or her blog, Yiddish Praxis. Rokhl and Clarissa talk about her venture into the world of Yiddish, and what it's like to fill the gap in her knowledge of our own history. They also talk about Rokhl’s new play that explores the ethical dilemmas that can show up when collecting Yiddish folklore. This conversation was recorded in the summer of 2020.
Like the show? Here are three great ways to support us!
Feminist and Full of Chutzpah w/Alma Editor Molly Tolsky
Season 1 · Episode 6
Sunday, November 22, 2020 • Duration 34:25
Show Description
Clarissa talks with Molly Tolsky, the longtime editor of Kveller and the founding editor of the Jewish culture site, Alma. Alma describes itself as feminist, and full of chutzpah. They cover a wide range of topics and something about them makes you feel like you're just hanging out with a really cool friend. This interview was recorded in January 2020. Molly talks about her creative journey, the story of how Alma came to be, and how her personal Jewish identity has been influenced by her work in the Jewish media world.
-Share On Wandering with a Friend (IRL or via Twitter)
-Buy Me a Coffee. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create the best show possible.
This episode was produced and presented by Clarissa Marks with music by Gillicuddy.
This episode was recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
· Share On Wandering with a Friend (IRL or via Twitter)
· Buy Me a Coffee. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create the best show possible.
On Wandering is produced and presented by Clarissa Marks. The intro music for this episode is by Gillicuddy and the outro music by Ketsa.
The show is recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
The show is recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
Like the show? Here are three great ways to support!
· Share On Wandering with a Friend (IRL or via Twitter)
· Buy Me a Coffee. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create the best show possible.
On Wandering is produced and presented by Clarissa Marks.
The intro music for this episode is by Ketsa and the outro music by George Gershwin.
The show is recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
· Share On Wandering with a Friend (IRL or via Twitter)
· Buy Me a Coffee. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create the best show possible.
On Wandering is produced and presented by Clarissa Marks, with intro music by Ketsa and outro music by Gillicuddy.
The show is recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
· Share On Wandering with a Friend (IRL or via Twitter)
· Buy Me a Coffee. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create the best show possible.
On Wandering is produced and presented by Clarissa Marks, with intro music by Ketsa and outro music by Gillicuddy.
The show is recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
· Share On Wandering with a Friend (IRL or via Twitter)
· Buy Me a Coffee. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps create the best show possible.
On Wandering is produced and presented by Clarissa Marks, with intro music by Ketsa and outgoing music by Gillicuddy.
The show is recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past, present and emerging. As a land-based people in diaspora, we recognize first nations and indigenous people as the stewards of this land from time immemorial. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
On Wandering is recorded on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present, and honors with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
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