Wandering Jews: A Travel Podcast That Entertains & Informs – Details, episodes & analysis

J2 Adventures brought to Israel over ninety solidarity missions since October 7th, 2023. Communities, synagogues, and federations all came to Israel to stand with Israel and to take Israel’s story back to their families and communities.

In this special episode of Wandering Jews, two of our tour educators – Doron Wilfand and Lior Hochberg - will share their perspectives on their experiences over the past year, and the difficulties of telling a story that remains ongoing and painful. How does one tell a story that all of us are so much a part of?

Additional Resources

Mapping the Massacre – An Interactive Map Documenting the Events of October 7th

Memory & Hope: October 7, One Year Later - the Shalom Hartman Institute

Israel at War - the Institute for National Security Studies

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The Israeli Breakfast with its array of cheeses, spreads, breads, fresh fruit and veg is a tasty and important symbol of culinary national pride. Foodies since the 1950’s have celebrated the nearly sacred status of this buffet feast. Join us to consider the origins and contexts that cooked up this gastronomic tribute to all good things Israeli – from the kibbutzim and moshavim of the pre-state period, to the bounty of ethnic identities, to a recipe that you can make at home with a taste of Israel.

Links for further reading:

The Best Cookbooks for Israeli Food - Israel21C, Jessica Halfin

A Culinary Renaissance in the Israeli Countryside - Smithsonian Magazine and Travel & Leisure, Saki Knafo

Israeli Breakfast – What’s So Distinctive about It? - Israel Inside Out

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In this episode, we're flipping the script on travel with a wild journey of self-discovery down the road less traveled. We're veering off the beaten path and, through the lens of famous Biblical figures, like Abraham and Sarah, David and Goliath, we uncover surprising insights about ourselves. In “Something for the Road,” Scott shares a gem from his bookshelf while Sorelle offers an unconventional addition to your travel toolkit. Join us as we unearth the hidden quirks of our ancestors and ourselves, revealing layers of Jewish identity and connection along the way.

Links for further reading:

J 2 Adventures – Resources

Jewish Journeys by Jeremy Leigh – A Book Review - Maron L. Waxman, The Jewish Book Council

Jews and Journeys: Travel and the Performance of Jewish Identity - Joshua Levinson & Orit Bashkin, 2021

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The streets and parks and monuments of Berlin reveal all kinds of Jewish stories – including those of women who were pioneers and innovators in a vast breadth of fields. Join us to hear about their stories as we return ‘herstory’ to Jewish history as we walk Berlin.

Links for further reading:

The Literary Salons Of Berlin Petra Wilhelmy-Dollinger traces the history of Berlin’s salon culture from the 18th-20th century…

Hannah Arendt Stephen J. Whitfield tells the story of one of the leading intellectuals of the Twentieth Century.

As a Burning Flame: The Dream of Regina Jonas by Noa Mishkin A graphic novel exploring the life and impact of the first female ordained rabbi in Ashkenazi Jewish history.

Wandering Jews - Famous Jewish Women – A Google Map A number of sites in Berlin connected with famous Jewish women who have played key roles in writing the history of Berlin and the Jewish 'herstory' in modern times. 

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A library is often seen as a quiet space, but Israel’s National Library defies that stereotype. It is a vibrant space that not only highlights the role of books in the centuries-old Jewish story but also shines a light on Jewish identity and resilience. Join us for a glimpse into this dynamic setting and explore the questions it raises about the People of the Book in our time.

Links for further reading:

The National Library of Israel

Stories from the Israel National Library on Google Arts and Culture

The Cultural Revolution at the National Library of Israel by Ruth Ebenstein

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David Magen set out on a journey to uncover his family’s history. His journey spans continents, from the historic cities of Vienna and Prague to the bustling streets of Shanghai, the serene Isle of Man, and the heart of Israel. David’s dedication to tracing his family tree is not only inspiring but also highlights the intimate connections between personal histories and the broader tapestry of the history of the Jewish people. David’s excitement and commitment invites each one of us to take a journey into our own family history and memory.

Links and resources:

MyHeritage.com Family Tree Builder

Ancestry.com The world's largest collection of online family history records

JewishGen.org The global home for Jewish genealogy

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Few peoples traverse their homeland as Israelis do. The hike, or tiyul, is integral to the narrative of a people returning from exile, yearning to reconnect with their land. In this episode, we delve into the tiyul as a key aspect of Israel’s tradition of knowing the land, “Yediat Ha’Aretz,” and explore the profound connections between walking and memory.

Links for further readings:

Hiking in Israel: Why Are These Trails Different? Shay Rabineau, AJS Perspectives – The Magazine of the Association of Jewish Studies

From Backpacks To Trailblazers: A Visual History Of Hiking In Israel Gilad Carmeli, Ynetnews.com. 20 April 2023 

The Israel National Trail

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Join us for a captivating exploration of Jerusalem's Western Wall, originally a retaining wall of the Temple Mount and today one of Judaism’s holiest sites, acting as a magnet for Jews and non-Jews alike from across the globe. We will be zooming in on Ezrat Yisrael, the egalitarian section that symbolizes the ongoing quest for inclusivity at this sacred site. Sorelle shares her personal journey, finding solace and connection amidst the ancient stones of the Kotel, while Scott describes the profound impact of Ezrat Yisrael on J2’s groups. Through poignant narratives, we uncover the complexities of the Kotel's role as a unifying and/or divisive force for all Jews, highlighting the challenges and aspirations of creating a space that truly belongs to all.

In today’s “something for the road,” J2‘s Rivka Brama, Head of Content and a Jerusalemite herself, shares her favorite place to hang out in Jerusalem’s city center.

Links for further reading:

How the Western Wall Became One of Judaism’s Holiest Sites: When and how did Jews begin praying at the Western Wall? Amit Naor, The Israel National Library

Welcoming Israel: A Blessing for New Jews: A Visit to Azrat Yisrael - Scott Copeland, Times of Israel

Equal Access For All Jews at the Western Wall - Israel Religious Action Committee

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Today we're embarking on a thrilling journey into the timeless legend of the Golem of Prague and its contemporary counterpart, the Golem of Rehovot. Along the way, we'll traverse through the captivating realms of graphic novels, cinematic masterpieces, and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. Sorelle recounts her mesmerizing encounter with the Golem of Rehovot at the prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science. Along the way, we confront profound questions surrounding control and Jewish power and responsibility from the vantage point of AI, contemporary technology, and the ongoing Hamas-Israel war.

In our “Something for the Road,” J2‘s very own Yoni Millo shares his favorite Israeli book – which can also be enjoyed as a movie!

Links for further reading:

The Golem of Prague & The Golem of Rehovoth - Gershom Scholem, Commentary Magazine, January 1966

The Maharal’s Robot - Ro Oranim

Golem - Jay Michaelson, My Jewish Learning

The Golem - Y.L. Peretz

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