Explore every episode of the podcast Wandering Jews: A Travel Podcast That Entertains & Informs
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort and Be Comforted: Solidarity Missions and Tour Educators Since October 7th | 06 Oct 2024 | 00:38:33 | |
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 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Israeli Breakfast: You Are What You Eat | 23 Sep 2024 | 00:26:14 | |
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 Israeli Breakfast – What’s So Distinctive about It? - Israel Inside Out Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Welcome to Wandering Jews: Travel the world and discover yourself | 21 May 2024 | 00:01:08 | |
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Road Less Traveled: Confronting Our Inner Goliath | 10 Apr 2024 | 00:22:22 | |
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: Jewish Journeys by Jeremy Leigh – A Book Review - Maron L. Waxman, The Jewish Book Council Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Herstory: Jewish Women of Berlin | 09 Sep 2024 | 00:26:23 | |
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: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The People of the Book: Israel’s National Library | 26 Aug 2024 | 00:30:34 | |
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 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| A Never-Ending Journey: Uncovering Family Roots With David Magen | 29 Jul 2024 | 00:17:12 | |
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 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Country As Your Classroom: The Hike – the Tiyul – and Israel’s Culture of Connection | 15 Jul 2024 | 00:27:44 | |
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: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| If Walls Could Talk: Exploring Ezrat Yisrael, the Kotel’s Egalitarian Enclave | 21 May 2024 | 00:21:35 | |
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: Equal Access For All Jews at the Western Wall - Israel Religious Action Committee Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Golem of Prague (and Rehovot): Mystery, Marvels, and Modern AI | 21 May 2024 | 00:21:11 | |
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 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| One Degree of Separation: Tel Aviv's Hostages Square | 21 May 2024 | 00:28:19 | |
In this episode, Sorelle visits Hostages Square in Tel Aviv for the first time, sharing her perspective as an Israeli. We explore the crisis's impact on daily life in Israel, from bumper stickers to posters, and discuss the private versus collective pain felt during this year’s Jewish holidays. The episode touches on the tradition of pidyon shvuyim (redeeming captives) and global prayers, showcasing civilian resilience and hope. May all our brothers and sisters be returned safely from captivity. On a lighter note, in today’s “something for the road,” Rabbi Don Goor, J2’s rabbinic liaison, shares his favorite Tel Aviv restaurant. Links for further reading: Redemption of Captives – Jewish Sources - Sefaria - A Living Library of Torah Bring Them Home Now - The Hostages Forum Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| David Ben Gurion’s Negev: Israel’s Now-Blossoming, No-Longer-Forgotten, Backyard | 21 May 2024 | 00:30:33 | |
In this episode, we uncover the remarkable life and legacy of David Ben Gurion, a towering figure in Israeli history whose visionary leadership continues to shape the nation to this day. From his humble beginnings to his pivotal role in founding the State of Israel, we explore his incredible achievements. We also reflect on Ben Gurion's profound vision for the Negev, Israel's once "forgotten backyard," that is now flourishing but still faces ongoing challenges as we strive to perpetuate his vision and commitment. In “something for the road,” Shira Kleinman, J2’s Tour Educator and Senior Project Manager, shares her favorite Israeli radio station and her favorite Israeli artist. Links for further reading: The Vision Of David Ben Gurion In 2024 - I24News Ben-Gurion: Father of Modern Israel – A Book Review - Fathom David Ben-Gurion – The Man and His Legacy - Ruth Levush, The Library of Congress Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Kinneret Farm & Cemetery: Pioneers with a Sacred Stubbornness | 28 Oct 2024 | 00:29:38 | |
Imagine the shores of the Galilee Sea – the Kinneret – at the turn of the 20th century – a parched, blistering landscape. And the early Zionist pioneers – young people who had left Europe and their families to build the dream of a Jewish national home - had no air conditioning. We will explore the place, period, and phenomenon of pioneering. What were the hardships? And what was the dream? And where are we at today?
Links for Additional Reading: Go Cemetery Hopping — It’s Not All That Grave - Jessica Steinberg, Times of Israel Rachel Bluwstein - Dana Olmert, The Jewish Women’s Archive The Second Aliyah - The Israel National Library Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| ANU: A Renewed Museum for a Renewing People | 25 Nov 2024 | 00:35:19 | |
Tel Aviv’s ANU Museum of the Jewish People shares the unparalleled story of the Jewish Experience – yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The Museum refuses to relegate the Jewish experience to a tale of tears and fears. Instead, ANU traces the diversity and plurality of Jewish life in every corner of the world where the Jewish people lived throughout the ages. ANU strives to keep it contemporary – with exhibitions dedicated to women in Jewish history, comedy as Jewish and Israeli expression, and even Jews in popular music. Visiting ANU is not only about the past; it is mainly about how we encounter and understand our own story – and share that with others – as we use the past to fuel our future.
In this episode, we host a special guest – Dan Tadmor – the CEO of ANU. Dan shares his take on how the museum has grown and developed, and how he and his team have turned their vision into an internationally recognised museum milestone.
Links for Additional Reading: ANU – The Museum of the Jewish People A Short History of the Jews - Michael Brenner, Princeton University Press, 2012 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Moisesville: A Jewish Homeland in a Spanish Translation | 11 Nov 2024 | 00:29:44 | |
In this episode, we journey off the beaten path to Moisésville, a small town in Argentina’s vast pampas that became a beacon of hope for Eastern European Jews fleeing persecution in the late 19th century. Founded with the support of Baron Maurice de Hirsch’s Jewish Colonization Association, Moisésville was an ambitious attempt to build a new life on foreign soil, where Jewish traditions could thrive far from the pogroms of Europe. We’ll explore how this "Jerusalem of Argentina" became a hub of resilience, culture, and adaptation, reflecting the universal Jewish quest for belonging. Join us as we uncover this forgotten chapter of history and reflect on what it means to find a home in an unexpected place. Links for Additional Reading: The Search for an Alternative Homeland, Jewish Chronicle How the Orient Express’s Baron Maurice de Hirsch Changed the Track of Jewish Migration, Times of Israel The Zionist Vision, Excerpt from Theodor Herzl’s Book, “The Jewish State.” The (Railroad) Baron, Jewish Review of Books Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Golden Age Superheroes: Spain & Portugal | 23 Dec 2024 | 00:30:13 | |
Join us as we step into the dazzling world of Sephardic Jewry during the Golden Age; an era of tolerance and thriving creativity. Meet legendary figures like Shmuel HaNagid, Moses de Leon, and Maimonides, whose groundbreaking works - along with the rich cultural exchange between Jews and Muslims - sparked the remarkable flourishing of Sephardic Jewish civilization. Who were these Sephardic Jewish superheroes? How did the Golden Age inspire Jews centuries after the collapse of Jewish life in Iberia? And how “Golden” was the Golden Age? Links for Additional Reading: Under Crescent and Cross: The Jews in the Middle Ages, Mark R. Cohen Hebrew Poets in Old Spain, Hillel Halkin, Commentary, July/August 2007 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Where Judaism’s Future Took Flight: Tzippori | 09 Dec 2024 | 00:29:55 | |
In this episode, we’re heading to Tzippori, an ancient city in the Galilee that became a symbol of Jewish resilience. After the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Jerusalem, Tzippori emerged as the heart of Jewish life in the land of Israel. At the helm of this transformation was Judah the Prince, a community leader, diplomat, and confidant to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He is most famous, however, for codifying Judaism’s oral traditions into the Mishnah, a monumental work of five volumes, that laid the foundation for Jewish law and life for centuries to come. Join us as we explore Tzippori and uncover how this unlikely northern hilltop city helped codify a vision for the future of the Jewish people. Links for Additional Reading: As a Driven Leaf - A novel by Milton Steinberg, Josh Lambert Israel's Archaeological Site Zippori Calls to Jews and Christians, i24 News Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Dead Sea: A Sinking Sea Awaits Rebirth | 06 Jan 2025 | 00:25:12 | |
The Dead Sea is one of the great natural wonders of the world. And the surrounding Judaean Desert has been the backdrop for some of the most exciting chapters in the history of the Land of Israel – from King David’s Ein Gedi to Qumran’s Dead Sea Scrolls, to the heights of Masada, and the pioneers of modern times. The Dead Sea is disappearing at an alarming rate – and the question is whether or not our grandchildren will vaguely remember the ‘Salt Sea’ as they stand at the edge of a salt-encrusted crater. Our episode will explore the story of the Dead Sea and the environmental challenges facing the sea and all of us. Links for Additional Reading: Pollution in the Promised Land, Alon Tal, California University Press, 2002 What Can We Do To Stop The Dead Sea From Dying? With UnPacked on YouTube Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Tsfat: A City Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth | 20 Jan 2025 | 00:23:15 | |
Considered by Jewish tradition as one of the holy cities of the Land of Israel, Tsfat’s alleys and hills welcome visitors to explore the Jewish mystical tradition as it was formulated and taught by a unique circle of 16th-century teachers, philosophers, and visionaries, including ‘The Lion’ Rabbi Isaac Luria. The “Wandering Jews” will walk with you through Tsfat and together we will uncover the secrets of a religious approach that continues to be meaningful 500 years after Tsfat’s heyday. What is mysticism? And how did a concept drawn from Jewish texts and mystical tomes become a major calling card for Judaism in the late 20th and 21st centuries? Links for Additional Reading: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, Michael Howald, Sefaria Kabbalah: An Overview, Joseph Telushkin, Jewish Virtual Library The Mystics of Safed, Dan Cohn-Sherbok, My Jewish Learning Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Twisted Journey of the Star of David | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:21:38 | |
We define our symbols and our symbols define us. When considering the Star of David as a Jewish symbol, one has to head out on a journey through the centuries and across the globe to understand how a widespread geometric configuration became such a powerful defining image of the Jewish people – to our enemies and to ourselves. Join us from Jerusalem to Rome to Morocco to Prague to Basle, Switzerland as we explore the Star of David and our Jewish journeys.
Links for Additional Reading Star Of David, Erin Parfet, Shalom Learning Center, 4 April 2024 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| African Mountains, A Crown of Flowers, and a Warrior Queen: The Jews of the North African Berbers | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:29:13 | |
High in the mountains in a land shrouded in mystery for most of us live the indigenous peoples of North Africa – the Berbers. And alongside these proud tribespeople who call themselves – ‘the free men’ – lived the Jews of the Atlas Mountains, of the North African Berbers. Wandering Jews shares the history and stories of this unique episode in the Jewish experience and invite you to consider the borders between history and legend, and the place where these stories become part of our own Jewish memory.
Links for Additional Reading: The Muslim And The Lost Jews Of Morocco, YNET News Habrera Hativit, World Music Central The Caliph’s House, Tahir Shah Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Tel Aviv: Not Just Another City | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:30:54 | |
Tel Aviv is sometimes described as just another city with no story to call its own. Today we will pull back the curtain to share the many stories and the foundational narratives that Tel Aviv told about itself through the years and the connections between story and symbol and urban planning, architecture, and design. Whether you want to call it ‘The White City’ or ‘The Big Orange’ or ‘The City That Never Stops’ – join us for a behind the scenes look at Tel Aviv and its celebration of the Zionist new normal. Links for Additional Reading: The Mythography of Tel Aviv, Maoz Azaryahu and Jonathan Silver. Mosaic, 17 November 20222 Tel Aviv: Israel's Cultural and Financial Capital, History of Israel Explained, Unpacked Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Divine Peak: Hermon’s Sacred Snowy Secrets | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:29:35 | |
Mount Hermon – the eyes of Israel – has been witness to thousands of generations telling their stories throughout the ages. This single, towering peak bears the weight of countless narratives — stories of history, culture, faith from ancient times until today. Hermon is not just a place to go skiing; it’s a place where the sacred intersects with the strategic, where ancient traditions meet the present day, and where diverse communities—Jewish, Druze, Christian, and Muslim—leave their imprints on its slopes.
Links for Additional Reading Mount Hermon – A General Overview Mount Hermon – Jewish Virtual Library Druze Lives Matter | Real Talk Marissa Streit sits with Rania Dean and Omar Nasser Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mahane Yehuda Market: With All Five Senses | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:22:44 | |
Much of our consumer experience in the 21st century is antiseptic and impersonal. Visiting Jerusalem’s open air market at Mahane Yehuda is a chance to engage all of our senses, to get out and about, and see a slice of Jerusalem as it lives and breathes in all of its colors, flavors, and tastes. In this episode, we will visit the streets and alleys of Mahane Yehuda – a bit of history, a bit of culinary, and a bit of the human mosaic that makes Mahane Yehuda an exciting classroom for understanding Israeli society.
Links For Additional Reading The Complete Guide to the Machane Yehuda Market 100 Years Of Photographs At Machane Yehuda Market, Israel21C, Naama Barak, 23 July 2023 Zooming In On The History Of Jerusalem's Iconic Machane Yehuda Market, i24NewsEnglish Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| For All Those In Need: Agriculture, Innovation, and Working for Food Justice | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:27:24 | |
The planet Earth may not be able to support the billions who call it home. Even in the wealthiest countries, too many people are hungry. We zoom in on the Jewish experience of issues connected with food justice – from the days of the Bible and before, to modern Israeli food innovation, and including the non-profits striving to provide those in need with that most basic of rights – the right to go to sleep and wake up without hunger. Our special guest today is Joseph Gitler, the founder of Leket – a leading NGO aspiring to implement Jewish values around food access towards a healthier society in body and soul. Links for Additional Reading (And Ways For You To Help…) Latet - Combating poverty and food insecurity in Israel Leket Israel - Rescuing nutritious surplus food for those in need Pantry Packers - Providing nutritional support to Israel's neediest families Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Start-Up Laundry: The Ayalon Institute and the Kibbutz Laundry Room that Created the State of Israel | 12 May 2025 | 00:22:44 | |
Israel has become known internationally as the ‘start-up nation’ – one of the most successful international hi-tech hubs. The Ayalon Institute – just outside of Rehovot – may have possessed the world’s only start-up laundry – an underground factory designed to produce the crucial bullets needed by the pre-state and early Israel to fight the 1948 War of Independence. How do you keep such an operation a secret? How did the Ayalon Institute reflect something about the ethos of pre-state Israel? And does some of that same ethos survive today?
Links for Additional Reading The Ayalon Institute: The Secret Facility Hidden Under a Kibbutz Laundry Why Did American Jews Smuggle Guns Into Palestine? Israel’s Defense Industries: From Clandestine Workshops to Global Giants Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| From Noach’s First Vine to Israel’s Finest Wines: A Sip Through Jewish History | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:30:49 | |
Wine in Judaism isn’t just a drink—it’s a ritual, a symbol, and a story poured into every glass. From the vineyards of ancient Israel to today’s award-winning boutique wineries, wine has played a sacred and celebratory role in Jewish life for millennia. But how did Israel go from kiddush wine to world-class vintages? And what makes Israeli wine so special? Grab a glass as we explore the past, present, and future of Jewish wine culture. L'Chaim. Additional reading: https://www.jpost.com/jewish-world/judaism/the-value-of-wine https://www.sefaria.org.il/sheets/601017?lang=bi https://www.timeout.com/israel/things-to-do/the-israeli-wine-list https://www.ice.edu/blog/wines-of-israel Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Do You Want To Know A Secret? Belmonte, Portugal And The Legacy Of Its ‘Secret’ Jews | 26 May 2025 | 00:23:41 | |
High in the Portuguese mountains lies the small, inconspicuous village of Belmonte. At first glance, Belmonte possesses the local charm of many of the villages of the Senhora da Esperança range. However, the village possesses a secret dating back nearly half a millennia – a Jewish community that went underground during the Spanish and Portuguese expulsions and inquisitions – and held onto their Jewish core for centuries. Discover Belmonte and this little-known story of steadfast Jewish resistance.
Links for Additional Reading Portugal, Echoes of a Jewish Past Belmonte: A Reporter Revisits An Anusim Community Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Indiana Jones and the Buried City: Digging Tel Maresha & Beit Guvrin | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:38:52 | |
Who doesn’t love an Indiana Jones flick? The excitement of the search for treasure, the trepidation before the unknown, and encounter with long-buried stories. At Tel Maresha and Beit Guvrin – UNESCO World Heritage Sites – we will uncover the underground city and its caves, tunnels, and chambers – and share the stories of the archeological excavations and the Dig for a Day program. Join us for an adventure above and below ground… and bring your fedora. And this time – we will host a special guest – Dr. Ian Stern of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Haifa University – the archeologist responsible for the excavation and one of the founders of the Dig for a Day program.
Links for Additional Reading A Dig Full of Holes, Sara Jo Ben Zvi (Segula – The Jewish History Magazine, September 2023) Beit Guvrin National Park Israel Nature and Parks Authority Israel Museum Receives Stone 'Letter,’ Etgar Lefkovits (The Jerusalem Post, May 7, 2007) Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Funny, They Don’t Look Jewish: Jewish Pirates, Sailors, and Navigators of the Mediterranean | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:32:32 | |
Seafaring and piracy are not the first associations that come to mind when we think of the Jews. In this episode, we will travel the Great Sea – the Mediterranean – in search of Jews who had salt water in their blood. We will sail from ancient Israel to the Middle Ages – and even revisit the question often asked – Columbus? Funny, he does not look Jewish!
Links for Additional Reading The Great Sea, David Abulafia – a Book Review (The Guardian, May 1, 2012) Jewish Pirates of the Mediterranean, Yaakov Landman (Kankan, April 3, 2020) Columbus and the Jews, Jonathan Sarna (Commentary, November 1992) Fado with Lior Hochberg – A Spotify Playlist mentioned in Something for the Road Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Toledo: The Lost Jerusalem of Spain | 28 Jul 2025 | 00:34:58 | |
The beautiful city of Toledo – perched on the hills above the Tagus River – was once home to a thriving Jewish community. However for the past 532 years – since 1492 – Jewish children do not run home to the Jewish Quarter, and shabbat hymns do not ring through the streets on Friday evenings. When we visit Toledo, we need conjure through our stories the lives that once were. In this episode, we will visit the synagogues of Toledo – no longer in the hands of a Jewish community – recall the glory that was… as well as the meanings of ownership and remembering.
Links for Additional Reading Toledo: The Cultural Guide to Europe, JGuideEurope The Many Lives of the Synagogue El Transito, National Library of Israel Córdoba and Toledo: The Last Synagogues of Sepharad, SLICE Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Enigma of Qumran: The Elusive Dead Sea Sect | 11 Aug 2025 | 00:20:35 | |
The story of Qumran – on the Dead Sea Shore – reveals a still unraveled historic riddle about the meanings of one of most important archaeological treasures discovered in the 20th century. In a unforgiving landscape, Qumran reveals the story of the Dead Sea Sect and their expansive hidden library. Join us to venture into the caves and between the dry riverbeds to explore the world of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the community who collected and wrote them. The first Reform Jews? The first kibbutznikim? Join us to find out.
Links for Additional Reading Why Are the Dead Sea Scrolls Important With Dr. Jodi Magnes Led Astray By a Dead Sea Latrine, The Forward, 16 February 2007 The Shrine of the Book, The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Beyond Schmaltz: The Essence of Yiddish | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:23:28 | |
For many of us, a Yiddish phrase or word reminds us of parents and grandparents who may have not been Yiddish speakers but held on to a taste of Yiddish that they inherited from their own parents and grandparents. Even when visiting Warsaw – what was the largest Yiddish-speaking city in the world before 1939 – Yiddish is no longer the language of the streets and markets, synagogues and theaters. Yet, Yiddish is more than nostalgia. It was the linguistic home that generations of Eastern European Jews inhabited. We’ll take a deep dive and look at the place of Yiddish in the dreams and fears, the triumphs and defeats of a Jewish civilization now gone… But is it? Links for Additional Reading Yiddish Civilisation: The Rise and Fall of a Forgotten Nation, Paul Kriwaczek Learn Popular Yiddish Words with Amy Walker! Yiddish is Making a Comeback, Robin Estrin, All Things Considered, NPR, 22 April 2025 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Pragmatic Dreaming: The Peres Center for Innovation and Peace | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:31:59 | |
The Peres Center is more than just an interactive exhibition. It is a showcase and lab at the center of Israel’s hi-tech industry and innovation. Visiting the Peres Center inspires us to consider the ongoing relevancy of the vision of Shimon Peres and to grapple with the challenge posed by significant Israeli communities who remain under-represented in Israel’s start-up nation success. It also challenges us to ask – what does it mean to be a ‘pragmatic dreamer’ and work to build hope?
Links for Additional Reading The Peres Center for Innovation and Peace Shimon Peres – A Biographical Sketch Employers On The Front Line: The Labor Market Put To The Test, Tasneem Na’ara, JPost Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Tel Hai and Yosef Trumpeldor: Did He Really Say It? | 22 Sep 2025 | 00:19:57 | |
In this episode of Wandering Jews, we visit the Galilee outpost of Tel Hai – the story of a battle that became legend, and the life and death of the pioneer activist Yosef Trumpeldor. The story of Tel Hai became a foundational myth of Israeli heroism, encapsulated in the phrase attributed to Trumpeldor, “It is good to die for our country.” We trace how this narrative shaped Zionist identity and military ethos and how, over time, it has been reexamined and debated by Israelis grappling with questions of nationalism, sacrifice, and the evolving meaning of heroism in a maturing society. Links for Additional reading Yosef Trumpeldor, Tel Aviv Streets The Hidden American History of One of Zionism’s Foundational Battles: Tel Hai The Secret Agreement That Shaped the Middle East, Unpacked Kol Galgal – Lyrics in Hebrew and English (‘Something for the Road with Hillary Menkowitz) Kol Galgal – Spotify (‘Something for the Road with Hillary Menkowitz) Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Budapest’s Dohany Synagogue: Architecture as Storytelling and Aspiration | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:22:33 | |
In this episode of Wandering Jews, we journey to Budapest’s Dohany Synagogue, a stunning landmark that became the architectural blueprint for grand synagogues across Europe and the United States. Built in the Neo-Moorish style, the Dohany reflects a dual vision: a nostalgic nod to the Jewish Golden Age in medieval Spain and a bold architectural statement of Jewish modernity, pride, and belonging in 19th-century Europe. When is a building more than just a pile of bricks? Links for Additional reading Tracing the History of Budapest’s Dohany Street Synagogue, Jewish Heritage Europe Moorish Style: Orientalism, the Jews, and Synagogue Architecture, Ivan Davidson Kalma The Dohany Synagogue: History, Culture, and Sacred Rituals Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mosaic of Memory: Beit Alpha and the Questions Beneath the Stones | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:24:25 | |
In the Jezreel Valley, a 6th-century synagogue floor reveals a people rooted in their land, inscribing faith into stone. This episode explores how archaeology affirms Jewish indigeneity, why the Binding of Isaac still unsettles us, and what these ancient treasures whisper about return and belonging.
Links for Additional Reading: The Beit Alpha Synagoge at Wellesley College The Beit Alpha Synagogue National Park Jewish Worship, Pagan Symbols, Walter Zanger, Biblical Archeological Society Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Vienna and Its Jewish Luminaries: Insiders-Outsiders in the City of Dreams | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:22:57 | |
Explore the dramatic irony of turn-of-the-century Vienna, a city that both nurtured titans of Jewish thought and art—from Freud to Mahler—and became the hotbed for modern, racial antisemitism. Discover how Jewish luminaries defined Viennese modernity while simultaneously facing an increasingly hostile political and social climate.
This episode delves into the genius and the heartbreak of the "Wandering Jews" whose contributions and fates molded and reflected the modern European experience.
Links for Additional Reading: Our City! Jewish Vienna - Then to Now, The Vienna Jewish Museum Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Whiskey Jews: Spirited Stories And A Different Kind Of L’Chaim | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:28:24 | |
From the misty glens of Scotland to the hidden speakeasies of Prohibition America, Jews have shaped the story of whiskey in surprising ways. In this episode, we trace the historic roots of Jewish involvement in the global whiskey trade, uncover the families and fortunes behind the barrels, and ask a question that blends law and spirit: what blessing do you say over a glass of whiskey? And what famous fictional whiskey Jew was created by James Joyce? Lior Hochberg - a J2 tour educator and travel expert - will share her work as a volunteer and champion of a vocational school for women exiting prostitution and abuse. Her Academy is about empowerment and building expertise through vocational and life training. Listen to Lior and learn more about Her Academy at - https://www.heracademy.org.il/
Links for Additional Reading:
The Forgotten History of Jews in the Alcohol Industry, Joel Haber, My Jewish Learning The History Of Jewish Bootleggers, Leah Siesfeld And Heidi Siesfeld, St Louis Light From Bourbon to Bagels in Kentucky, Table Studios Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Ramle At the Crossroads: Choices Made and Challenges Ahead | 15 Dec 2025 | 00:20:46 | |
*Ramle* is an ancient crossroads, shaped by numerous empires along the historic ‘Way of the Sea.’ Its history and human mosaic highlights a modern reality: it is one of Israel’s most heterogenous cities, where a diverse *Jewish majority* lives alongside a significant *Arab minority*. The city's vibrant tension yesterday and today is a microcosm of the larger challenges and potential of Jewish-Arab coexistence within Israel. Wandering Jews will visit Ramle and probe lessons in how the past's multicultural mosaic continues to inform the present's complex politics and aspirations for a shared tomorrow.
Links for Additional Reading: Archaeology in Israel: Ramla, Jewish Virtual Library Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Storytelling Tree: The Knesset Menorah and the Roots of Inspiration | 29 Dec 2025 | 00:22:10 | |
Join us at “Wandering Jews” as we step beneath the branches of Israel’s “Storytelling Tree”—the Knesset Menorah—and uncover the roots that nourish a nation’s identity. From biblical heroes to modern pioneers, this monumental sculpture weaves centuries of struggle, hope, and renewal into bronze. Explore how art, memory, and moral vision intertwine to shape Israel’s civic heart.
Links for Additional Reading The Knesset Menorah, Wikipedia (including pictures) The Man Who Made The Menorah, Eli Abt, The Jewish Chronicle December 7, 2023 The Story Of The Menorah: From Temple To State Seal, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab, Unpacked Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| From Bouzouki to Belonging: The Sound of Greece Heard All The Way to Israel | 12 Jan 2026 | 00:35:37 | |
Greek music fills Israeli weddings, cafés, and stadiums — but why? Israel doesn’t just listen to Greek music; it needs it. Listen to ‘Wandering Jews’ as we uncover how a “foreign” sound became a cultural safe harbor, revealing the Israeli search for identity and belonging. Through stories of exile, trauma, and survival, Greek music became a borrowed and reimagined sound of a Mediterranean home. What we listen to, it turns out, tells us who we want to be.
Links for Additional Readings: Rosa Eskenazi, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women The Mediterranean Israeli Identity, A.B. Yehoshua, the European Institute of the Mediterranean Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Ketef Hinnom – Treasures Worth More Than Gold | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:30:59 | |
Journey with us to Ketef Hinnom, where a restless teenager, a collapsed tomb, and two tiny silver scrolls opened a window onto the oldest biblical text ever found—and a Jerusalem far more complex than skeptics imagined. This archaeological thriller reveals how memory, mystery, and the human need for blessing converge in a burial cave that bridges ancient faith and modern identity. Join as we uncover a story that proves some words - and some blessings - can survive.
Links for Additional Readings:
“In Memoriam: Prof. Gabriel Barkay, Dean of Biblical Archaeology (1944–2026)” – Armstrong Institute
“The Ketef Hinnom Scrolls: Earliest Biblical Text Ever Discovered!” – Armstrong Institute https://armstronginstitute.org/1123-the-ketef-hinnom-scrolls-earliest-biblical-text-ever-discovered
“Priestly Benediction on Amulets,” Israel Museum https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/198069-0 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Berlin’s Museum Island – A Dream of Home and the Cracks in the Walls | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:37:13 | |
Step onto Berlin’s Museum Island, where the Enlightenment dreamed of a universal home for human creativity—and where Jews helped shape that vision with boldness, generosity, and imagination. Yet amid its temples of art and reason, the island also reveals the cracks: the shadows of exclusion, erasure, and the breaking of the very ideals it sought to enshrine. Join J2 Adventures’ Wandering Jews as we explore a place that inspires the human spirit, even as it exposes the profound limits of the Enlightenment’s promise.
Links for Additional Readings: The James-Simon-Galerie – Official Overview (Museumsinsel Berlin) https://www.museumsinsel-berlin.de/en/buildings/james-simon-galerie/
Haskalah / Jewish Enlightenment – Jewish Museum Berlin https://www.jmberlin.de/en/topic-haskalah-enlightenment
“James Simon: Art Collector & Owner of the Nefertiti Bust” – The Collector https://www.thecollector.com/james-simon-a-generous-patron-of-the-arts-and-modest-social-benefactor/ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Don Quixote: An Honorary Member of the Tribe? | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:33:03 | |
Our journey begins in Madrid’s Plaza de España, standing before the weathered bronze figures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza as Miguel de Cervantes watches from above. We explore why this "Impossible Dreamer" became a profound symbol for the Jewish experience, from the 19th-century Yiddish schlemiel to the "Prince of Dreams" in modern Israeli pop. From the shadow of the Expulsion to the stages of Broadway, we trace the knight’s journey and the "messianic yearning" that makes this 400-year-old character feel like a member of the Tribe.
Links for Additional Reading The Secret Jewish History of Don Quixote by Benjamin Ivry (The Forward, 17 February 2014) Why You Should Read ‘Don Quixote’? by Ilan Stevens (Ted Ed, 18 October 2018) Don Quixote: An Honorary Wandering Jews – A Spotify Playlist Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Architecture of Aspirations: The Jewish and Democratic Heart of Jerusalem | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:32:29 | |
Discover how the Israeli Supreme Court’s design serves as a "physical articulation" of the state’s democratic architecture and the values it aspires to uphold. From the "square" of human law to the "circle" of timeless justice, we explore a building rooted in Jerusalem stone yet open to the future. Join us as we discuss how this landmark translates the ancient command "Justice, justice shall you pursue" into a modern judicial shield for all inhabitants.
Links for Additional Reading The Israel Supreme Court – A Virtual Tour Jewish or Democratic? Israel’s Former Top Judge Reflects on Values, Aharon Barak, My Jewish Learning The Israel Religious Action Center The Israel Democracy Institute Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Under the Crescent Moon: Three Synagogues and Jewish Life of Morocco | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:32:36 | |
Across Morocco’s historic cities, three synagogues trace a story carried on shifting currents—moments when Jewish life swelled with creative possibility and moments when it retreated behind quiet walls. From the hidden doorway of Ibn Danan to the open‑sky courtyard of Slat al‑Azama to the luminous modern hall of Beth‑El, each synagogue marks a different turn of the tide. Join us at J2 adventures ‘Wandering Jews’ as these sacred spaces reveal how Jewish life in Morocco moves in continual ebb and flow, leaving behind beauty, memory, and a rhythm all its own.
Links for Additional Reading
The Ibn Danan Synagogue, Fez, Morocco ANU, The Museum of the Jewish People
Israeli, Moroccan Researchers Excavate Synagogue In Atlas Mountains I24News, 24 December 2021
Moroccan Jewry at the National Library of Israel Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The Frontiers Edge – Eilat and the Southern Arava | 11 May 2026 | 00:19:05 | |
At Israel’s southern tip, where desert horizons stretch without end, Eilat and the Arava tell a story shaped by distance, daring, and the frontier spirit. Here, improvised flags, pioneering kibbutzim, and an ancient date seed reborn all reveal how life at the edge becomes a laboratory for reinvention. Join us as we explore a landscape where imagination meets isolation—and where the desert becomes not an end, but hopefully also a beginning.
Links for Additional Reading
“Lost in Eilat” at Segula, the Jewish History Magazine https://segulamag.com/en/lost-in-eilat/
“My City – Eilat” at the Digital Archive of UCLA https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/z1k716vn
The Arava Insitute for Environmental Studies Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| When the Earth Shook Europe: Lisbon, the Enlightenment, and the Jewish Question | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:24:37 | |
In 1755, a massive earthquake, firestorm, and tsunami devastated Lisbon and sent shockwaves through European thought. The catastrophe shattered old religious certainties, ignited debates led by Voltaire and Kant, and reshaped the fate of Iberian Jews and “New Christians” long-bound by the Inquisition. In this episode, we trace how one morning of destruction helped usher in modern ideas of reason, justice, and identity—and how Lisbon’s rebuilding reframed the Jewish story within Europe’s emerging Enlightenment.
Links for Additional Reading
The Earthquake That Changed History – BBC REEL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVLGo_SgRfs
The Jesuit and the Jew -The Lisbon Earthquake in Modern Perspective Revista by Kenneth Maxwell, 30 December 2007 https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/the-jesuit-and-the-jew/
Pombal and the Inquisition in Portugal History Today by Richard Cavendish, 5 May 2001 https://www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/pombal-and-inquisition-portugal Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! Find more at j2adventures.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||