The Bagel Podcast

Director of We Believe in Israel and Labour Macher, Luke Akehurst, joins me for an open and frank discussion. He also has the honour of being the first non-Jewish guest on the podcast. Recorded at Limmud Festival 2019.

Link: https://www.webelieveinisrael.org.uk/ 

On this episode we have Beverley Jane Stewart, an artist whose main focus is on the synagogue experience. I keep on mispronouncing the rice dish, Mejadra with Miri Lewis. Gilad Halpern provides us with an Israel update now that they're heading to the third election within a year. Talmud for Schmeryls’ is led by Rabbi Benji Stanley who discusses what the Talmud says about being nice to each other. The Bagel Broigus recorded in Manchester prior to the General Election is about if/how we can remain friends with people we disagree with. The panel includes media man Simon Jacobs, Yehudis Fletcher who combats extremism within the Jewish community and the Brexit party candidate for Salford, Matt Mickler.

For this Bite, I was joined by then Deputy (now ex) leader of Enfield Council and Labour Councillor, Daniel Anderson. This was recorded back at Limmud Festival in December so there is an outdated reference to Prime Minister Theresa May, but apart from that, not that much has changed. Daniel's a passionate guy with strong opinions and we are both candid in our thoughts. Hope you enjoy!

Happy 5780! On this episode I chat with Arnon Degani (standing in for Gilad) about the Arab effect in the recent election, Miri takes us through her homemade hummus recipe, you'll hear my stint on a certain famous American Jewish podcast, Rabbi Harvey Belovski's shares the reason for the creation of the world in Talmud for Schmeryls', Rabbi and Rebbetzin Samuel and Shoshana Landau of Barnet United Synagogue explain how they brought meditation mainstream and the Bagel Broigus is all about whether shul (synagogue) is a waste of time). It features Danny Kada, the Rabbi of Wembley Spanish & Portugese, Ben Shapiro of Moishe House London and Naomi Soetendorp who has founded numerous grassroots Jewish communities around London.

 

 

Photo: Rabbi and Rebbetzin Samuel and Shoshana Landau of Barnet United Synagogue with Hayden Cohen  

This episode is mildly NSFW. We talk purity with both Miriam Lorie from the Mikveh Project and Rabbi Debbie Young Somers who provides a Talmudic approach to Niddah (ritual purity). I also went to the Jewish Museum to talk with Jemima Jarman about British Jews. It felt a little bit 'Yey, Jews!' but I suppose in our current climate, a bit of positivity isn't such a bad thing.

We also have Part 2 of the Build a Brunch series with Miri and Jon where we make summer latkes (definitely not potato waffles!) To round it out, the Bagel Broigus is about the Jewish response to the climate crisis with pragmatic solutions featuring Lara Balsam from JVS, Andree Frieze from Eco Synagogue and Michael Lomotey from Extinction Rebellion Jews. 

We've avoided it long enough. Here is the first episode where I discuss antisemitism with Guardian columnist, sociologist and wild haired metalhead, Keith Kahn Harris.  

On this episode I talk with the incoming and outgoing chief execs of the Jewish Volunteering Network - Nicky Goldman & Leonie Lewis. Gilad Halpern talks about the new Israeli Education minister who's been saying some rather controversial things. We have a Broigus about eating Jewishly with Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Rabbi Debbie Young Somers and Mr Dan Jacobs at the opening of the world's first Jewish Vegan Centre. Rabbi Harvey Belovski shares how to eat Talmudicly and Miri Lewis shares the secrets of Middle Eastern yoghurt. 

In the last of our LGBT+ Bagel Bites, I'm joined by Alfie Ferguson. We go off topic a little bit, but that OK. This is one story of one person and a story I'd never heard before. Hope you enjoy

For the second in our LGBT interview series, I'm joined by the inspirational Rabbi Mike Moskowitz: an orthodox rabbi who advocates for the transgender community within Jewish spaces and organisations.

As it's currently LGBT+ month, join me for some one on one interviews with people involved in the Jewish LGBT community. On this episode, I have the pleasure to be joined by Dalia Fleming - Executive Director of Keshet UK.