The Bagel Podcast

For the final episode of Season 2 I got into the spirit of the Festival of Lights. Susan Polgar, the first female chess grandmaster and real-life Beth Harmon of Netflix's latest hit The Queen's Gambit, chats about overcoming sexism in the chess world as well as her Jewish Hungarian heritage. Gilad Halpern returns to talk through the recent news of the Morocco-Israel peace deal and the split in Israel's right-wing political party Likud. Rabbi Margaret Jacobi of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue shares Chanukah themed Talmud, renowned Jewish chef Denise Phillips takes us through her tips for latkes and oil, and the Bagel Broigus is renamed the Doughnut Debate as Lindsey Taylor Guthartz, Samuel Lebens and Clive Lawton discuss whether Chanukah should be remembered or celebrated.

For the penultimate episode of Season 2, I spoke with Rabbi Jeremy Gordon at his shul of New London Synagogue in St John’s Wood in January 2020. Our chat focussed on marriage under Masorti (Conservative in America) and how it contrasts with the British default that is, Orthodox weddings. We also spoke about one of the dominant figures of 20th Century British Jewry: Rabbi Louis Jacobs.

One Orthodox. One Reform. One Marriage. I had a rather lovely and candid conversation with Reform Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers and her newly ordained (at the time) Orthodox husband, Rabbi Gary Somers. Most couples disagree about the division of chores but their disagreement is halachic (Jewish Law) and I was curious as to how they make it work. The interview was recorded at their home in January 2020.

Associate Professor of American Politics at Tufts University Eitan Hersh joins me in this episode to talk through the Jewish voting patterns in the US election. Madeline Young delves into the ways Black Lives Matter is affecting the Jewish community. Rabbi Harvey Belovski shares some high-concept Talmud, we have our usual Israel update from journalist Gilad Halpern and another Bagel Broigus emerges, this time around The Future of Gender and Judaism, featuring Sally Berkovic, Michelle Janes and Rabbi Daniel Lichman. The episode image is creative commons public domain.

In this episode I'm joined by Yehudis Fletcher, founder of Nahamu, a thinktank examining extremism in the Jewish community, and an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) for Jewish charity Migdal Emunah. Recorded in two parts, we first discuss Fletcher’s life and work, followed by a catch up to hear how she feels the landscape may have changed in light of the Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse hearings. Whilst we do not go into graphic detail, please note that issues are discussed that may be difficult for some.

For this Bagel Bite, I was joined by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE, minister of Maidenhead Reform Synagogue in Berkshire. He is also a writer, broadcaster and founder of the Accord Coalition, a collective of religious groups, humanists, teachers and more working towards inclusive education. We met at Limmud Festival 2019 for a robust discussion on the divergent topics of faith schools and assisted dying.

For this Bagel Bite, I'm joined by the hilarious Lynn Ruth Miller, who holds the title as the world's oldest comedian. Please be advised that we do use language and discuss some topics that may not suitable for children. Lynn's book, 'Getting the Last Laugh' is available in bookshops now.

Esther Safran Foer, author and mother of Jonathan, joins Hayden Cohen in the first Bagel Podcast for JR to discuss her new book, I Want You to Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir. Then we hear from Karen Heilig, assistant executive vice president of Claims Conference – an organisation seeking justice for Jewish victims of Nazi persecution – about the reparations from the German government for survivors. Plus Gilad Halpern speaks on the UAE Israel deal; Rabbi Leah Jordan talks about the life and times of Elisha ben Abuyah in Talmud for Schmeryls; and this episode's Broigus asks "Why should young Jews care about Israel?", featuring Labour Councillor Joshua Garfield, Esther Craven from Yachad and Robin Moss from UJIA.

This is a bit of a different episode as we’ll be hearing how a cross section of the Jewish community is responding to Covid 19. The aim is in the midst of madness to provide some positivity. It is by no means comprehensive and apologies if I’ve missed something huge. Take this episode as an overarching snapshot. Featuring Ashley Blaker, Leeds Pop up, Hagai Rossman, Rabbi Pink, Laura Janner-Klausner, Keith Brooks, Laurie Rackind & Miriam Lorie

On this episode, especially for Mother's Day in the UK we have Marjorie Ingall, Author of 'Mamaleh Knows Best', 'Tablet Magazine' columnist and half of 'Sorry Watch' to discuss American Jewish Culture, comedy, the history of geeks and how to apologise. At the moment it's hard for most of us as we can't see our mums but on behalf of all children, thanks Mum. This was recorded all the way back at Limmud Festival 2018, but I wanted to preserve this gem of an interview for Mother's Day.

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.