The Zal

A family heirloom made its way into Adam’s possession: a Siddur (prayer-book) that’s around 150 years old. In this jubilee episode we discuss the provenance of this Siddur and its original owner, the meaning of a small selection of prayers and what a 30-something-not-typically-a-prayer-book-user is meant to do with this priceless book. Music from this joyous Klezmer ensemble and Prince (who doesn't need our humble link).

The Reddit forum r/Judaism is the world's largest anonymous Jewish community. If you know the internet, and you've ever been in a comment section, you might think this faceless space would be cesspool of crazies, haters and pedants. And it sure would be if it weren’t for a handful of committed moderators: our guests in The Zal. We ask what it takes to maintain a forum whose mandate includes everything from complex legal clarification to Jewish feelings of loneliness to baby-Yoda Purim costumes. Together, we (try to) define anonymity, and ways to prevent its pitfalls while promoting its perks. "Got myself a Jew" from Uncle Mel Music by Stephanie Chou

Tamir Goodman is the only basketball player in history to play at a D1 level while fully observing Shabbat. It’s a story that includes shocks, setbacks and lots of uplifting moments. Glancing at the Wikipedia version of Tamir’s story would lead most to exclaim “Yoshke! This guy sacrificed a lot to keep Shabbat!” But this isn’t how Tamir sees it. Shabbat kept him. The ups and downs of Tamir’s path were received with a sage-like equanimity which he attributes to wearing G-d’s jersey. Videos: Tamir's background; and the 1999 SNL skit with Jerry Seinfeld playing the "Jewish Michael Jordan" (16:30). Music by Flint — "Cloudy Skies," "Glitch Flop."

In the long list of liturgical “I’m Sorrys” Jews recite on Yom Kippur, there's one which continues with: “for the sin... of a confused heart.” But to the modern ear, confusion sounds like a pretty plausible excuse, not a mea culpa? Dovid and Adam are joined in The Zal by Nthenya from Kenya - comedian, screenwriter and actor. Don't miss her soon-to-be-released special “Domesticate Me." Music: A bit of shofar from the Yamma Ensemble. The inimitable Richard Poon sings "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, Itzhak Perlman plays klezmer with The Klezmatics, and the band Tantz does, too.

Can I replace my Rabbi with artificial intelligence? Do convenience and (the illusion of) privacy outweigh the power of the human touch? Will AI officiate weddings? For now, Dovid will keep his job because he can lift chairs — still, the AI Age is upon us. Once-complex questions are being answered with algorithmic ease. But should all questions be answered by the soul-free machine? (And where does this "should" even come from?) In this episode, IBM 7094 gives speech a try (1961), Arthur C. Clark discusses "the future" (1964), and we hear some first words from an Artificial Jesus. Music, originally suggested for this episode by ChatGPT: Boards of Canada, "Roygbiv" and "Dayvan Cowboy"; Kraftwerk, "The Robots"; Jean-Michel Jarre, "Oxygène, Pt. 4".

In this unintended episode, we banter and vent (vanter?) on the ridiculousness that is the self-absorbed-thoughtful-post and the decorum governing it. Selfies at Auschwitz? Action shots at funerals? Memorial posts that feature your best angle? We go there. The song of this episode is “Selfie” by Gurshabad.

Nissim Black doesn't just ignore the haters, he studies them. The legendary musician knows there are people who see him as just another fad, an Orthodox Jewish rapper, a token intersection — but he's in it for the duration, batteries charged. Keep your New Year’s resolution of entering The Zal more often and come get a taste of Nissim's music. Plus: excerpts of other contemporary rappers from religious circles and, purportedly, the first rap track ever recorded. Nissim shares joy and loss and connections between his life, his art, and his community with big hats. Music from Matisyahu, Shyne, Lecrae. Find Nissim Black on Spotify and YouTube — and as he mentioned, The Jubalaires "Noah" from 1946.

During times crisis, weary eyes look toward inspiring leaders. Are we just crusty curmudgeons or are leaders not what they used to be? If we’re right, are poor followers to blame? When no leaders are stepping forward, does the obligation to lead fall on everyone? If yes, for all topics? On all forms of media? Thank you Zusha Band for the music. This episode is dedicated to Dex Carvey. Sweet dreaming.

During times of crisis, weary eyes look for guidance. Is our eyesight just getting worse or has the nature of leadership really changed? Are we just crusty curmudgeons or are leaders not what they used to be? Gotta be both. So: what do we do in this vacuum of guidance — should we be speaking more, or shutting up? This episode dedicated to our friend Dex Carvey, a creator of so much gone so much too soon. Some of Dex's fingerprints: this early stage comic-book series; opened for Dana Carvey's Netflix special (won't hear Dex, but he's entitled to 10% of all laughs); idea behind The Weird Place podcast, produced by Conan O'Brien. Explore some of the music by Zusha.

People are putting up and ripping down signs about hostages and casualties of war. People filming people filming, people losing jobs. We have a lot of questions. What consequences constitute "cancellation"? Is silencing a form of speech? What does the first amendment have to say about all of this? (And yes, cards on the table — we've got a lot more questions than answers.) We should probably ask, too: posting and ripping and firing and yelling... does any of it ever move the needle? Music: Naseer Shamma's solo oud from Baghdad in the intro, and Trace Adkins' "Help Me Understand" at the end.

The war in Israel has shifted, or at least recast, certain political alliances - especially for progressive Jews. There was a tacit understanding in the minds of many, that if I march for your cause, you'll march for mine. Many of those who would march arm-in-arm for other humanitarian causes have discovered a newfound silence - or even taken up ranks on the anti-Israel side. And vice versa. In this episode we discuss: false binaries vs. that famous poem and pragmatic support vs. creepy motives. If this discussion is nothing else - it is a pretty solid (if we may say so) attempt at civility in debate. Credits: Cole Porter's "Let's Not Talk About Love," arr. Hubble Pierce, "Mamele" by Percy Haid, and Mel Brooks' The 2000 and Thirteen Year Old Man. And hey, support our sponsors.

It feels both sad and true that it took this October's tragedies to rouse a oneness among Jews that would be a dream at times of peace. All too often, it's an outside threat that lumps us together as “the Jews.” In this episode, we talk about that lump. We talk about beards. Episode 40 was recorded in the good ol' days of a few weeks ago, before we were swallowed up. When we could whimsically dissect our differences with that constant belief: they don’t ultimately matter. We’ll be recording something soon that doesn't pretend the outside world doesn't exist — but in the meantime, here's a couple voices from a lighter time. Credits: Neighs, neighs (Ancient Lithuanian War Song), Umbrella by The Laurie Berkner Band, Our Way and Something To Live For by Nosson Zand, Uniform Convergence by Stephanie Chou and Mr. Kim Gotlieb teaches Tefillin.

A big percentage of our audience (more than just our mothers, less than all of your mothers) commented to us (verbatim): "We love absolutely everything about the pod and have no notes at all, but we would like to hear more about you as individuals. Who are you guys?" So for this last episode of the year 5783, we put humility further to the side and put ourselves under the magnifier to compare some differences of our infra-reform and ultra-orthodox backgrounds and how they shape our perspectives now. Big questions: is there such a thing as a Jewish Santa? Can we all fit under the same umbrella? Can Dovid count to seven? Music credits to: Piano Prelude #1 — Stephanie Chou James Gang — Tend My Garden The Jakeleggers — (Unreleased studio edit) And a couple more, no spoilers, but thanks to Martin Trevy's remix for reminding us that as we move into the new year, we should still hold on to some past treasures. Shana tova y'all — see you in 5784

Does engaging in (political) protest make a difference? Is it apathy to stay home? Is silence concurrence? What is virtue and what is signaling? These questions grow more pertinent with the spotlight on protests, from America, to Israel, to... Kenya. Reporting from Nairobi is our man Adam, where national unrest had the city half-closed, with millions taking to the streets or deciding not to. We tangle up a list of whys and why nots. Here, take some credit: Casino - What Am I Doing Here Stephanie Chou - Perugia The poignant and provocative Martin Niemöller poem

In this episode of The Zal, meet David Yarus, Founder at JSwipe (affectionately: Tinder for Jews). We talk about the difficulties of modern dating: paradox of choice, cowardice, ghosting and worse. Along the way we discuss insights for individuals in the journey for their “one” and, fixes for what David refers to as “Big Jewish.” Music: Nostalgic Longing, Jovial Longing, Modern Contentment - Thanks artists! #AirTags #Bashert

The kerfuffle over 'Taco Tuesday' that pitted Taco Bell and LeBron James against Taco John’s, a far smaller taco purveyor, got us thinking about owning things that can’t be touched. What are the differences between trademarks and copyrights? What would the ancient scholars think about Taco Bell's case? How can anyone argue LeBron isn’t the G.O.A.T.? We give great answers to 0 out of 3 of these questions, but hey, we only had twenty minutes.

Lewis Franck is on a first-name basis with some of the great drivers of all time — but, you might ask... is this a NASCAR podcast now?* What makes racing bigger than just turning left a lot? Lewis schmoozed, reported, investigated, philosophized. In the Zal, he tells us about the benefits of trespassing, what racing tells us about class and future (im)possibilities for egality, and how he gave bar mitzvah lessons in the Sistine Chapel. We got metaphors baby. Intro music: ("Indianapolis Song Forever!") Better music: Zusha *We do, however, love the movie Cars.

Three time Indy 500 winner, Mauri Rose, was a member of the tribe. Or he wasn't. The standout driver faced the slurs of anti-Jew leaflets, was inducted to The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and - went to a Lutheran church. Michael Brown, of the Indiana Jewish Historical Society, enters The Zal to help us untangle the story. Indy 500 Highlights from 1939 & 1941 (Warning ↑↑ contains b&w news footage of violent accidents.) Music by Zusha Band: "Dovber"

Rabbi Raps is back for part 2 of his visit into The Zal. In this episode he shares how he originally was compelled to influence, his need to remain not overly-prepared and why he loves an audience of gentiles. (That is: people who are fine with the temperature in the room.) Plus, there are humans on the internet! Real ones. Individuals! Music by the Chassidim at Zusha Band Audio snippets from @RabbiRaps

Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport a.k.a. @RabbiRaps joins this episode of The Zal to discuss influencing: what's it like having an online congregation 1800 times bigger than at Shul? The tightrope of preserving both the meaningfulness of content and clickability, is not for the faint-hearted. What are the considerations when speaking to your family, your friends, your community and your... world? Person Vs. Persona. Spoiler: staying natural - and transparent - are big keys for the good Rabbi. Oh also: He's got a problem with "The Zal." Can we still be friends? Music by the ever-elevating Zusha Band.