Shebrew in the City

We trace Keren’s journey from Israel to LA, how immigration shaped her mental health path, and why depth psychology offers tools to understand intergenerational trauma and rising antisemitism. We share practical advice for finding a safe therapist and for turning inherited pain into resilience. • Soviet Jewish roots, Israeli childhood, move to Los Angeles • Immigration stress as trauma and its lif...

Ever felt the tug to make something you can’t find on the shelf? We sit down with attorney and mom-creator Courtney Cohen , whose Florida-to-Chicago journey led her to build a joyful Jewish lifestyle brand from a single sticker into a growing catalog of hats, tees, totes, and more. The throughline is Jewish joy—captured in weekly challah, kids who treat stickers like art supplies, and designs that...

Rabbi-Cantor Judy Greenfeld's spiritual journey began with tragedy when her father was murdered when she was just sixteen years old. This devastating event caused her to question everything about Judaism and God, leading her away from her conservative Jewish upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio. "I think when we have trauma in our lives, it shifts us into seeing the world in a different way,&qu...

What happens when an art historian discovers Nazi memorabilia being sold at auction houses without ethical consideration? For Beatrice Levine , it sparked a journey that would transform her career and personal identity. Growing up as a military child in Germany during the 1990s, Beatrice developed a natural curiosity about Holocaust history and her own Jewish heritage. Though her father was ethnic...

Welcome back for Part 2 of my discussion with 3G Collective: John Reed, Shany Dagan, and Jana Krumholtz! Three grandchildren of Holocaust survivors are using their talents as dancers, actors, and choreographers to tell their families' stories through powerful artistic performances. • John describes his journey from watching his sister dance to becoming a professional dancer and choreographer...

In this episode, we welcome a panel of third-generation Holocaust survivors (3Gs) who share their grandparents' remarkable survival stories and reflect on how this legacy shapes their lives today. • Our guests Jana Krumholtz , John Reed and Shany Dagan  discuss their varied Jewish upbringings across Florida, Australia/Texas, and Israel • Each shares detailed accounts of their grandparents&apo...

Join us on an enlightening journey with Dr. Beth Ricanati , whose unique path from Reform to Conservative Judaism offers a tapestry of cultural richness and personal growth. Through engaging anecdotes, Dr. Ricanati warmly shares her upbringing her transition to the spiritual experience creating Challah in her home and beyond. We explore the playful and heartfelt family traditions, such as the amus...

Elana Frank's journey from Atlanta to Israel and back is nothing short of inspiring, as she intertwines her personal history with her professional mission. With roots tracing back to Holocaust survivors and tales of resilience from her father, Ilana's story is deeply moving and thought-provoking. Her adventurous chapter in Israel during the 2009 recession adds a layer of cultural richnes...

Elizabeth Kamens , the president of 3GNY , brings to light the profound connections between Jewish upbringing and Holocaust education. Elizabeth's journey from a Bat Mitzvah in Yardley, Pennsylvania, to leading an organization dedicated to preserving Holocaust legacies is a testament to the enduring impact of Jewish traditions and historical awareness. Through our conversation, Elizabeth shar...

Embark on a thought-provoking journey with me as I chat with the insightful Dr. Logan Levkoff about the profound interplay between Jewish identity and sexuality education. Discover the surprising roles Jewish culture has played in pioneering sexuality research, with figures like Magnus Hirschfeld and Dr. Ruth leading the charge. As she shares tales from her Zionist upbringing, we explore the compl...

Uncover the strategies to maintain intimacy amidst the whirlwind of parenthood with Dr. Logan Levkov, who offers salient advice on nurturing closeness even when life's demands seem insurmountable. Learn how to transform the routine chore of scheduled sex into a fulfilling experience and explore alternative acts of pleasure that keep the spark alive. As we navigate the challenges of conceiving...

What if your heritage could guide your entrepreneurial journey? Join us as we sit down with Remi Attia , a dynamic entrepreneur with Jewish and Italian roots, who shares how her multicultural upbringing in Los Angeles shaped her path. From a "Legally Blonde" themed bat mitzvah to launching her brand, The Nosh Table , Remy gives us a delightful glimpse into how cultural milestones and fam...

What happens when the vibrant tapestry of Jewish childhood experiences meets the evolving dynamics of modern Jewish communities? Jessica McCormick joins me on to share her unique journey from Los Angeles to Tucson, Arizona. Together, we explore how her formative years in Hebrew school and Jewish summer camps paved the way for a career shift from Hollywood to impactful roles in municipal government...

Welcome back for part 2 with Broadway Actor Josh Lamon as he takes us on a hilarious and insightful journey through the highs and lows of live theater. From a comical rivalry with Adam Lambert in a children's production to the chaos of working with real animals in shows like Big River and Finding Neverland , Josh shares unforgettable moments that capture the unpredictable magic of the stage....

Join us for Part 1 as broadway's vibrant world comes alive as we sit down with my dear friend and celebrated performer, Josh Lamon . Discover the magic behind his roles in iconic productions like "Hair" and "Wicked," and learn about his current spotlight moment in "Death Becomes Her" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre . As we reminisce about our friendship, you'll...

Dana Arschin joins us for a profound exploration of her family's enduring legacy and the critical role of Holocaust education in today's world. Growing up in a predominantly Jewish community on Long Island, Dana reflects on the impact of her mother's experiences as a child of Holocaust survivors. She shares deeply personal stories of generational trauma and how they have shaped her...

Ever wondered how growing up in a unique cultural mix shapes one's identity? Nicole Kelly sits down with Harmonie Krieger from Netflix's "Jewish Matchmaking" to share her remarkable journey from a predominantly Italian Catholic suburb in New York to finding her Jewish community at Syracuse University. Harmonie opens up about the contrasting religious backgrounds of her parents...

What if you could find the perfect balance between tradition and modernity in your religious life? Join us as we sit down with Netta Asner-Minster, an influential Jewish educator who takes us on a journey from her childhood in Silver Spring, Maryland, to her pivotal move to Jerusalem. With heartfelt anecdotes, Netta shares how her family’s observance evolved over time and the unique experiences th...

Imagine turning a therapeutic hobby into a successful business. That's exactly what Arielle Zorger of Arielle Zorger Designs did. Join us as Arielle shares her fascinating journey from Baltimore to North Carolina, detailing her upbringing in the Jewish community, her education in Jewish day schools, and her initial career working for big hotel chains. Discover how the warmth and inclusiveness...

What happens when you transition from a traditional upbringing to becoming a trailblazer in the world of fashion and social media? In this episode, we sit down with Elaine Chaya, an influential fashionista from Los Angeles, to uncover her remarkable journey. Elaine opens up about her roots in a tight-knit Iranian Jewish community, her shift from conventional career paths to the glamorous realm of...

Thank you for waiting for this episode. We took a bit of a break for a couple reasons that are addressed at the opening, nothing bad -- I promise, but we are excited to be back with this new batch of upcoming episodes.  This episode features an engaging discussion with a talented musician, Grammy Award Winner Joanie Leeds, who shares her journey from early musical exposure to songwriting. From cre...

When the echoes of Michael Jackson's beats ignited a young Stefano Iacono's love for music, little did he know it would pave his way to becoming a cantor. Join me, Nicole Kelly, as I chat with Stefano on Shebrew in the City and share a symphony of anecdotes that illustrates how his musical zeal intertwined with a spiritual awakening. Together, we'll explore the nuances of his melodi...

As your host at Shebrew in the City, I, Nicole Kelly, had the pleasure of sitting down with the vibrant Pam Wiznitzer, master mixologist and social media maven. Our heartfelt conversation soared from the intricacies of Jewish traditions and their influence on Pam's passion for mixology, to the shared laughter over our first drinks. Revel in the stories of our personal journeys - from navigati...

Peek behind the curtain of history as our Producer, Patrick, rejoins us and gets to lean into his New York City tour guide roots, as he joins me in painting a vivid portrait of Emma Lazarus, the illustrious American author whose words on the Statue of Liberty have become a national treasure. Our conversation travels through the corridors of her life, from her New York roots and Sephardic Jewish he...

Hey all you cool moms out there! Come join Nicole Kelly and Jenna Liu founder of Sixx Cool Moms as they discuss modern motherhood and starting new businesses. Jenna revisits her Jewish heritage and the powerful moment she celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on a Birthright trip to Israel, offering a unique perspective on the traditional coming-of-age ceremony and its profound significance when experienced...