Your Jewish Life Your Way with Karen Cinnamon

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/i-could-nosh-jake-cohen?variant=40997057527842

Jake Cohen on Connection, Community and Pride Through Jewish Food

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with bestselling cookbook author Jake Cohen for a chat about his new cookbook, I Could Nosh (coming out September 12!); his journey from being told Jewish food was too niche to hitting the New York Times bestseller list; bringing back grandma hospitality; and why we all need challah monkey bread in our lives.

LINKS:

Jake’s new book, I Could Nosh

Jake on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jakecohen/

Jake on TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@jakecohen?lang=en

Jake’s website

https://www.wakeandjake.com/

Jake’s baked goods on Goldbelly

https://www.goldbelly.com/jake-cohen

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

My 8-Year-Old Jewish Life with Karen’s Daughter Zara

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with her 8-year-old daughter Zara for a chat about what it’s like to be a young Jewish Londoner in 2023. They talk about how Zara balances her strong Jewish identity with life in a diverse community, what she loves about journaling, her favorite Shabbat tradition, and why her beloved late grandma was a true octo-superwoman.

LINKS:

Shop the Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

Smashing Life, our Jewish community

https://yourjewishlife.co/podcast/my-9-year-old-jewish-life-with-karens-daughter-sacha/

Sacha’s podcast episode

Challah covers by Micaela Ezra

https://ahyinjudaica.com/

Karen’s wedding

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/karen-jeremy-london-wedding-at-the-wallace-collection/

My Autistic Jewish Life with Author Sara Gibbs

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Sara Gibbs, the author and comedy writer behind upcoming Jewish rom com Eight Bright Lights, for a chat about autistic Jewish life, being diagnosed with autism as an adult, standing up to antisemitism, and so much more.

We were so lucky to have Sara on staff at Smashing The Glass, our Jewish wedding platform, in the brand’s early days - and it’s wonderful to see how her writing career has blossomed since then!

You’ll find out:

- What it was like for Sara being diagnosed with autism at age 30

- How confronting antisemitism at university ultimately strengthened Sara’s Jewish identity

- Sara’s experience being doxxed for being publicly Jewish online

- How Sara’s time writing for Smashing The Glass informed her new romantic comedy

- How Sara’s autism diagnosis helped her learn to be easier on herself

- The importance of having boundaries when putting yourself in the public eye

- Why it’s so important to try to understand other people rather than jumping to conclusions

LINKS:

Sara on Twitter

https://twitter.com/Sara_Rose_G

Sara’s novel

https://geni.us/EightBrightLightsBook

Sara’s memoir

https://saragibbs.com/drama-queen/

Sara’s wedding on Smashing The Glass

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/sara-john-incredible-granny-chic-vintage-jewish-wedding-kidbrooke-park-sussex/

Smashing The Glass, our Jewish wedding platform

Smashing Life, my Jewish community - try it out for one month with code “JEWISHJOY”

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://www.instagram.com/corieadjmi/

A Look Inside the Syrian Jewish Community with Author Corie Adjmi

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with author Corie Adjmi for a fascinating look at the Syrian Jewish community. Corie’s new novel, The Marriage Box, draws on her own experiences moving from a Reform upbringing in New Orleans to a traditional Orthodox Syrian life in Brooklyn as a teenager - and along the way, it shines a spotlight on a close-knit Jewish community that can seem mysterious to outsiders. Corie shares how she got started writing in her 30s after a career in education, why family is at the heart of Judaism, how she’s learned to balance her own desires with her culture’s expectations, and so much more.

You’ll find out:

- What it’s like being part of an incredibly close-knit Jewish community

- Why it’s so important to highlight diverse Jewish voices

- What inspired Corie to start writing

- How the Syrian community is evolving in the 21st century

- Corie’s advice for aspiring writers

- What makes the Syrian Jewish community so special

- Corie’s tips for a quick Friday night dinner

LINKS:

Corie’s website

https://corieadjmi.com/

Corie on Instagram

The Marriage Box

https://amzn.to/46f7rtw

Smashing Life, my Jewish community - try it out for one month with code “JEWISHJOY”

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

The Power of Jewish Community {with Smashing Life Member Emily Scheinfeld}

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Emily Scheinfeld, a beloved member of the Smashing Life community, to chat about her own Jewish life. Emily is an absolute ray of sunshine who’s contributed so much to the vibrant, accepting group that is Smashing Life, and it’s such an honor to have her come on here and talk about everything from figuring out how to take charge of your own Judaism as an adult to saying no to Jewish guilt to starting L’dor V’dor Judaica, a nonprofit focused on rehoming unloved Judaica, and, above all, how Smashing Life helped Emily bring Judaism back to the forefront of her life after many years of disconnection.

You’ll find out:

- How Emily became part of the Smashing Life community - and how the group helped her reconnect to Judaism

- What it was like going from a very Jewish upbringing in Atlanta to feeling Jewishly isolated while working in East Texas as an adult

- How COVID led Emily’s non-Jewish boyfriend to get involved in her Jewish life

- What Shabbat looks like for Emily

- How Smashing Life inspired Emily to start her own nonprofit devoted to providing Judaica for people in need

- Emily’s advice for those struggling to feel confident in their Jewish identity

LINKS:

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://www.ldorvdorjudaica.org/

L'dor V'dor Judaica

L'dor V'dor Judaica on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ldorvdorjudaica/

L'dor V'dor Judaica on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ldorvdorjudaica/

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://instagram.com/benmfreeman/

Being LGBTQ+ and Jewish: Negotiating Intersecting Identities {with Ben M. Freeman}

Tue, 30 May 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Ben M. Freeman for an important conversation about what it’s like being LGBTQ+ and Jewish.

As a minority within a minority, LGBTQ+ Jews negotiate intersecting identities every day - and the Jewish community doesn’t often give their struggles and triumphs the attention they deserve.

Ben talks about how his gay identity spurred him on to start the Jewish pride revolution, how to make our communities more welcoming and safe for LGBTQ+ Jews, and why it’s so important that all of us - especially those of us who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ - start initiating conversations about inclusivity.

You’ll find out:

- Why some of the loudest voices against antisemitism are LGBTQ+ Jews

- How the Jewish community can do more to support our LGBTQ+ members

- Why Ben thinks Tel Aviv is the best place in the world to be an LGBTQ+ Jew

- Ben’s practical tips on building inclusive communities

- Why it’s so important to make LGBTQ+ Jews part of the conversation

- How Ben’s experience in the gay pride movement inspired him to start the Jewish pride revolution

LINKS:

Ben M. Freeman

https://benmfreeman.com/

Ben on Instagram

Ben on Twitter

https://twitter.com/benmfreeman/

Eve Barlow

https://www.instagram.com/evebarlow/

Blake Flayton

https://www.instagram.com/blakeflayton/

Hen Mazzig

https://www.instagram.com/henmazzig/

Jake Cohen

https://www.instagram.com/jakecohen/

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://www.cathyheller.com/blog/

Manifesting Your Jewish Life, Your Way with Cathy Heller

Tue, 16 May 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Cathy Heller, a business coach and podcaster who specializes in helping women create wealth and next level happiness, for an inspirational discussion all about making the Jewish life of your dreams a reality. Cathy opens up about her own spiritual journey from secular to observant, and how she found the courage to live her own spiritual truth someplace in between.

You’ll find out:

- How Judaism has shaped Cathy’s entrepreneurial journey

- What it was like going on the first-ever Birthright trip

- How Cathy’s observance of Judaism has changed throughout her life

- What it was like for Cathy spending two years studying Jewish mysticism in Jerusalem

- All about the Law of Reception

- How Cathy has combined meditation and Jewish practice to create her best spiritual life

- Why the world needs Judaism

- What it’s been like speaking out publicly against antisemitism since May 2021

- Cathy’s tips on talking to non-Jewish friends about antisemitism and Israel

LINKS:

Cathy’s Podcast

Cathy on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/cathy.heller/?hl=en

Cathy’s Website

https://www.cathyheller.com/

Noa Tishby’s book on Israel

https://bookshop.org/p/books/israel-a-simple-guide-to-the-most-misunderstood-country-on-earth-noa-tishby/14887500

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://phillyjfm.org/tribe-events/category/jewish-new-media-festival/

Jewish Pride Through a Digital Lens with Matthew Bussy of Philadelphia Jewish Film & Media Festival

Tue, 02 May 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Matthew Bussy, the Program Director of Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival. Karen first met Matthew when he invited her to be a guest speaker at the 2023 Jewish New Media Festival in Philly - she’ll be speaking on Sunday, May 21, along with KoshaDillz, the team behind Unorthodox the podcast, and more - and they instantly connected over their shared commitment to spreading Jewish pride and joy.

They chat about celebrating Jewish storytelling, why Jewish pride is more important now than ever, and Matthew’s own journey to Judaism, which brought him full circle to revive his family’s lost Jewish roots and spread his Jewish pride and joy to the world.

You’ll find out:

- What makes digital storytelling such a powerful way to talk about difficult topics

- Why Judaism is all about community

- How to overcome antisemitism with Jewish joy

- Why everyone should visit the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

- How Matthew’s quest for community drew him to Judaism

- What it was like for Matthew finding out about his Jewish heritage for the first time as an adult - and what inspired him to go all-in and convert to Judaism

- How Matthew deals with people who are judgmental about his Jewish background

- Why it’s so important to create inclusive Jewish spaces

- Matthew’s tips on finding the right Jewish community

LINKS:

Philadelphia Jewish New Media Festival

Get your ticket to see Karen at the Jewish New Media Festival on May 21

https://phillyjfm.org/event/jewish-pride-through-a-digital-lens/

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

https://theweitzman.org/

Karen’s Combat Antisemitism video

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqYr4IqgC4J/

The Chevra in Philadelphia

https://www.chevra.net/

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://www.modilive.com/

Bringing Moshiach Energy with Modi, the comedian making Jewish humor cool

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Modi, the comedian known for his lighthearted takes on the ups and downs of Jewish life in the 21st century, and he’s got so much insight to share about everything from why the Jews are the ‘choosing people’ rather than the chosen people, to how to double down on Jewish joy in a time of rising antisemitism.

You’ll find out:

- What Modi’s learned from performing in Jewish communities all over the world

- The difference between American and British Jews

- What Moshiach energy is all about

- Where Modi gets his material

- What it’s like for Modi working with his husband, Leo

- Why Jews are the choosing people, not the chosen people

- Modi’s advice on increasing your Jewish joy

- How Modi makes his shows enjoyable and accessible for both Jews and non-Jews

- What Modi’s Israeli-American upbringing was like

- Why Modi’s not funny offstage

LINKS:

Modi’s Website

Modi’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/modi_live/

Modi’s Shabbat Shalom clip

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiPw_S0L5rm/

Modi’s Podcast

https://andheresmodi.buzzsprout.com/

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

http://yourjewishlife.co/passover

How I’m Spending Passover 2023

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen’s thinking about what she wants to break free from as she prepares for Passover 2023. She also shares stories of some of her most memorable seder nights over the years - from childhood celebrations with family in Israel to the ultra-meaningful last seder she spent with her beloved mother, who opened up about her own story of freedom fleeing from Iraq to Israel due to persecution for being Jewish. As always, she’s here to help you figure out how to do your Passover, your way this year!

You’ll find out:

- The thing Karen’s most looking forward to about hosting her first seder in her new home

- What Karen’s childhood Passovers looked like

- Why Karen recommends taking pictures of your seders

- What it’s like celebrating Passover in Israel with four generations of Karen’s big Iraqi-Israeli extended family

- How Karen makes seder night fun for her kids - and how PJ Library has inspired her

- Why Karen highly recommends spending a Passover in Israel

- What Karen wants to break free from this year

- Why Passover (and every day of the year) should be a judgment-free zone

LINKS:

My FREE Passover 2023 guide

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

PJ Library

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://www.instagram.com/drsheilanazarian/?hl=en

Balancing Israel Advocacy and a Busy Career with Dr. Sheila Nazarian

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a top board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills and mother of three who’s also carved out a niche as one of Israel’s staunchest defenders on social media. She talks about how she finds time to do it all, dealing with the backlash she’s faced since stepping up her Israel activism, why she feels religion is key to raising children in the 21st century, and so much more.

You’ll find out:

- How Sheila and her family escaped from Iran after the revolution - and what it was like moving to LA at age 7

- What inspired Sheila to become an activist - and how she balances it with a busy career

- Why anti-Zionism is antisemitism

- How she stays strong in defending Israel despite the backlash

- What success looks like to Sheila

- The importance of learning to delegate

- Why the things that are hardest in life are often also the things that give the most meaning

- Sheila’s top time management tips

- The importance of taking action

- Why it’s crucial to always be adapting

LINKS:

Dr Sheila on Instagram

The Closet podcast

https://anchor.fm/closetpodcast

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://www.instagram.com/therealbaddiel/

David Baddiel on his Jewishness, antisemitism, and why Jews need a rebrand

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Few people have done as much to expose the rising fashionability of antisemitism in the progressive world as comedian, author, screenwriter, and television presenter-turned-activist, David Baddiel.

In this important episode, Karen sits down with David to unpack why antisemitism isn’t considered to be as unacceptable as other forms of discrimination (even among those who are vocal in their support of other minorities), and what we can do about it.

Along the way, they cover why antisemitism is the racism that sneaks past you, the secret of Jewish humor, raising proud Jewish children in an interfaith family, why Jews need a rebrand and so much more.

You’ll find out:

- Why there’s a double standard when it comes to Jews in today’s progressive world

- How David got to be the expert on Jews not counting

- Why the stereotypes about Jews and money are so harmful

- What Judaism means to David as an atheist - and why his new book on atheism, The God Desire, is actually very Jewish

- Why antisemitism is racism, not religious intolerance

- Where the perception that Jews are uncool comes from

- How his standup background helps him make difficult topics accessible

- Why Jews don’t fit neatly into the victimizer/victimized paradigm

LINKS:

David Baddiel on Instagram

David Baddiel on Twitter

https://twitter.com/Baddiel

Jews Don’t Count

https://amzn.to/3mqxjjx

The God Desire

https://amzn.to/3JcqqLX

Three Lions ‘It’s Coming Home’

https://youtu.be/oyoy2_7FegI

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

What It Feels Like to Be Single and Jewish in 2023

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Smashing Life member Emily Cohen for an honest chat about contemporary Jewish life - from dealing with antisemitism in the workplace to what it’s like to be a single Jewish woman in 2023.

They cover everything from how Emily started wearing a Star of David in response to an antisemitic boss, to what it’s like engaging in Jewish life as a single thirty-something woman, to what exactly it is that makes the Smashing Life community so empowering.

You’ll find out:

- Emily’s advice for anyone dealing with antisemitism in the workplace

- How non-Jews can make workplaces inclusive for Jews

- Why so many people don’t think of Jews as a minority

- What congregations can do to make themselves more welcoming to single Jews

- Why Jewish singles events need to stop cutting off at age 36

- What it’s like being on Jewish dating apps in 2023

- Why Jewish community’s become more important to Emily over time

- Why Shemini Atzeret and Yom Kippur are Emily’s favorite Jewish holidays

LINKS:

Join the new Smashing Life app - The No. 1 Jewish Girl Community at Your Fingertips

https://moderntribe.com/?aff=83

ModernTribe

Emily’s Star of David

https://moderntribe.com/collections/all/products/butterfly-star-of-david-necklace/?aff=83

Jews Don’t Count by David Baddiel

https://bookshop.org/p/books/jews-don-t-count-david-baddiel/17777302

“My Jewish Dating Journey” podcast episode

https://yourjewishlife.co/podcast/my-jewish-dating-journey-internet-dating-blind-dates-and-meeting-the-one/

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/death-mourning-101/

Jewish Grief and Mourning {with Karen and Ben M. Freeman}

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with author and activist Ben M. Freeman for an emotional discussion about Jewish grief and mourning. Karen and Ben both lost a beloved parent too soon - Ben’s father in 2017, and Karen’s mother in 2021 - and in the aftermath, each felt incredibly lucky to be Jewish and to have a millennia-old framework to lean on for getting through life’s hardest moments.

They talk about their experiences of Jewish mourning traditions like shiva and yahrzeit, give advice for talking to someone who’s grieving, and share the things that have been most helpful in learning to live with their grief.

You’ll find out:

- The things that have been most helpful for Ben and Karen in living with their grief

- Why Jewish mourning traditions made Ben feel proud to be Jewish

- The thing Karen found most meaningful about shiva

- Why Ben appreciates the rawness of Jewish funerals

- How Karen’s experience sitting shiva in Israel differed from Ben’s in Scotland

- Why the structure shiva provides is so grounding

- A reminder that everyone grieves differently, even within the boundaries of Jewish tradition

- Karen’s advice for keeping the memory of a late loved one alive for young children

- The meaning Ben’s found in the tradition of yahrzeit as a yearly opportunity to step back into his grief

- How Israeli music helps Karen feel connected to her mother

- Tips on how to talk to someone who’s grieving

LINKS:

Ben M. Freeman

https://benmfreeman.com/

Jewish Death and Mourning 101

Shiva

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shiva-what-you-need-to-know/

Yahrzeit

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/yahrzeit-remembering-on-the-anniversary-of-a-death/

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://www.smashingtheglass.com

Top 5 Dos & Don'ts for Planning a Jewish Wedding in 2023

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

If you’re currently planning a wedding, this episode is for you! As the founder of Smashing The Glass, the world’s largest Jewish wedding platform, Karen shares her dos and don’ts for planning a one-of-a-kind wedding that’s totally authentic to who the two of you are as a couple, gleaned from her ten years of experience working with Jewish couples all over the world.

LINKS:

Smashing The Glass

Brides Club

https://brides.smashingtheglass.com

Reserve your spot for “The Secrets to an Unforgettable Jewish Wedding” on February 19

http://www.smashingtheglass.com/secrets

Karen and Jeremy’s wedding

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/karen-jeremy-london-wedding-at-the-wallace-collection/

No More Shoulds

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/no-more-shoulds/

Gina and Tony’s wedding

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/gena-tony-extraordinarily-colourful-jewish-fiesta-wedding-sydney-polo-club-australia/

Stacey and Jono’s wedding

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/stacey-jono-nye-fancy-dress-jewish-wedding-in-a-cinema-west-sussex-uk/

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

Easy Yet Meaningful Ways to Bring Shabbat into Your Life

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Sam and Emily from Team YJL to talk all things Shabbat! They talk about what Shabbat’s all about, how Judaism’s weekly day of rest looks like for each of them, and why they find it meaningful - and, most importantly, share plenty of tips for easy, accessible ways to bring Shabbat into your life, your way.

You’ll find out:

- What Shabbat is all about, and why it’s so important

- Why Shabbat is for you, wherever you are in your life

- Some traditional - and not so traditional - ways to mark Shabbat in your life

- Why inviting friends for Friday night dinner is the best - whether they’re Jewish or not!

- The beauty of disconnecting from tech over Shabbat

- A reminder that your menu for Friday night dinner doesn’t have to be traditional (or homemade)

- How to have a simple, stress-free Shabbat

- Why chicken shawarma is a Shabbat dinner secret weapon

- All about the wonderful tradition of the Shabbat nap

- Why tzedakah is a beautiful tradition to bring into your Shabbat

- How to do mark the end of Shabbat with Havdalah

LINKS:

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://whatjewwannaeat.com/shawarma-lettuce-wraps/

What Jew Wanna Eat Chicken Shawarma

Havdalah Kits and Candles https://moderntribe.com/collections/havdalah-sets/?aff=83

Ultimate Shabbat plylist https://yourjewishlife.co/shabbatplaylist

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://jewishjoyjournal.com

How to Find Joy During Difficult Times

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen shares her secret for how to find joy during difficult times. Her secret sounds simple - it’s all about gratitude - but putting that into action can be easier said than done. In this episode, Karen shares some practical takeaways for practicing gratitude and savoring moments of joy, however small, even at those times when you feel least thankful for what’s going on in your life. She also delves into some of her other favorite strategies, from giving to others to making a joy list, and shares how she’s implemented these tools in her own life - especially since losing her beloved mother in 2021.

LINKS:

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://yourjewishlife.co/playlist

Jewish Joy Playlist

Karen on Podcast Against Antisemitism

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-e6-gratitude-with-karen-cinnamon/id1598345651?i=1000588320772

How to Own Your Jewishness with Yoav Davis of Jews of NY

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Yoav Davis, the founder of Jews of NY, where he shines a light on the beautiful diversity of Jewish life in the Big Apple. Yoav’s commitment to Jewish joy and positivity is so refreshing, and his conversation with Karen about owning your Jewishness, uniting the Jewish world, and the importance of finding your own path in Judaism is sure to inspire.

You’ll find out:

- How Yoav’s platform balances showcasing the beauty of Judaism with calling out antisemitism

- Yoav’s mission for Jews of NY in 2023

- What inspired Yoav to start Jews of NY

- The things that bring Yoav Jewish joy

- How Jews of NY allows Yoav to connect with the full spectrum of the New York Jewish community

- Yoav’s tips for feeling confident in your Jewish identity

LINKS:

Jews of NY

https://www.instagram.com/jews_of_ny/

Smashing The Glass

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Buy the Jewish Joy Journal - use code JEWISHJOYPODCAST for 10% discount

http://yourjewishlife.co/children

Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

https://cbst.org/

My 9-Year-Old Jewish Life with Karen’s Daughter Sacha

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with a very special guest: her 9-year-old daughter, Sacha! Sacha is a proud Jewish girl who loves challah, cheder (that’s Hebrew school to you Americans), and sharing about Jewish traditions with the diverse group of friends she's made at her non-Jewish school. Sacha spills about her love for Israel, how she balances her Jewish identity with her cosmopolitan life in London, and why Ruth Bader Ginsburg is her inspiration.

LINKS:

How to Raise Proud Jewish Children

PJ Library

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Buy the Jewish Joy Journal - use Code JEWISHJOYPODCAST for 10% Discount

http://www.micaelaezra.com

REPLAY: Overcoming Jewish impostor syndrome: Bringing Jewish Tradition to life with Micaela Ezra

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen chats with illustrator, textile designer, and writer Micaela Ezra, founder of contemporary Judaica collection AHYIN, about growing your spirituality, overcoming Jewish impostor syndrome, and what it really means to build a Jewish home - and how to do it, whatever stage of life you’re at. Micaela is an incredible role model when it comes to Jewish spirituality, and the way she constantly strives to find her own meaning in Judaism - for herself, and now for her family too - is guaranteed to inspire.

You’ll find out:

- All about Micaela's Jewish upbringing in Australia

- How she found meaning in Jewish tradition and deepened her spirituality after moving to NYC in her 20s

- The dangers of mechanical Judaism

- What kept her Jewishly grounded during her hectic days in the fashion industry

- Building your own Jewish community

- How an unconventional approach to Shabbat dinner became the cornerstone of her Jewish life

- Overcoming Jewish impostor syndrome and finding your own place in Judaism

- The importance of finding your own connection to Jewish traditions

- Balancing tradition and individuality in Judaism

- Nourishing her children’s Jewish spirituality

- Tapping into Torah wisdom to create a meaningful Jewish home

- Becoming a spiritual anchor in your own life

- The importance of “spiritual home decor”

- Why you should seek out Judaica that sparks joy

LINKS:

Micaela’s website

Micaela’s Instagram

http://instagram.com/micaela_ezra

AHYIN, Micaela’s Judaica brand

https://ahyinjudaica.com

Rabbi Simon Jacobson

https://www.meaningfullife.com

Smashing Life, my community membership club for Jewish + Jew(ish) women

https://smashinglife.club

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

https://pjlibrary.org/books/i-dissent/if00758

Building Jewish Community through Books with PJ Library

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Lauren Hamburger, the UK director of PJ Library, an organization that sends free Jewish children's books to families across the world each month - all in the name of helping families learn about Judaism in a gentle way, sparking Jewish conversation in the home, and, ultimately, inspiring connection to the broader Jewish community (in whatever way feels right for each family). They chat about making Judaism accessible, building Jewish community, and raising proud Jewish children - and share info about how to sign up, of course!

You’ll find out:

- What PJ Library is all about, how it works, and why it’s for ALL families raising Jewish children

- How Lauren was inspired to become more religious as teenager

- The importance of normalizing Judaism in everyday life

- How Lauren got involved with PJ Library - and brought it to the UK

- Why PJ Library empowers parents to be Jewish educators in their homes

- Some of the most inspiring stories Lauren’s heard from PJ Library families

- How PJ Library builds in-person Jewish community

- What PJ Library’s doing to make sure their books reflect the diversity of the Jewish community

- How PJ Library helped Karen’s daughter find a Jewish hero

- The importance of parents learning with their kids

- How Dolly Parton inspired PJ Library

- What Lauren would say to a family that doesn’t feel Jewish enough to sign up for PJ Library (hint: sign up anyway!)

LINKS:

PJ Library

https://pjlibrary.org/

Limmud

https://limmud.org/

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Buy the Jewish Joy Journal - use Code JEWISHJOYPODCAST for 10% Discount

My Top 10 Journaling Prompts for Reflecting on 2022 – and Setting the Stage for Your Best Year Ever in 2023

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

As Karen looks ahead to the new year, she’s taken some time to think about how she’s going to live her best Jewish life in 2023. To focus her reflections, she’s come up with a list of 10 journaling prompts that helped her drill down to her one-word intention for the new year. Whether you’d like to learn a little more about Karen’s experience over the past year as she’s worked through her grief following her beloved mother’s death, moved into a new home, and launched the Jewish Joy Journal - as well as her hopes for 2023 - or you’re looking for some guidance on how to set yourself up for your best year ever, this episode is a must-listen!

10 Journal Prompts for New Year Reflection:

1. What is something I need to give myself permission to do in 2023?

2. What's one area in my life where I made real, tangible progress this year?

3. What are three accomplishments I made this year that I'm most proud of?

4. Who were the three people whose friendships I appreciated most this year?

5. What were the biggest struggles I faced this year? What were the biggest lessons they taught me?

6. If all goes well, what would I want my life to look like one year from now?

7. Based on that vision, what do I want my one-word intention to be this upcoming year?

8. What are the three things I want to achieve the most this coming year and how can I build myself systems that will allow me to accomplish them? (Pssst my Jewish Joy Journal is the perfect system to achieve this!)

9. What's one thought I'm currently holding on to that's not serving my wellbeing? Why am I holding onto it and how can I let it go?

10. What are three things I would love to do more of next year? How will I make more time for them?

LINKS:

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal - get a 10% discount with the code “JEWISHJOYPODCAST”

Our Jewish Conversion Stories: Two Jewish Women Tell Their Stories and Share Their Tips

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Erin and Maggie, two beloved members of the Smashing Life community, to chat about their respective Jewish conversion stories. They give honest accounts of the ups and downs of conversion, share their tips for those considering converting or already in the process, and delve into how the Smashing Life community (especially the Convert Club, a private space for those who have converted or are currently converting) has helped them grow and connect Jewishly. This episode is a must-listen if you have converted, are converting, have ever considered converting - or if you just want to better understand what it’s like being a convert in the Jewish world, and how communities can work to be more inclusive and welcoming.

You’ll find out:

- What got Erin and Maggie interested in Judaism

- How and when they knew Judaism was right for them

- The importance of taking it slowly

- Whether or not it’s a myth that rabbis will reject a prospective convert three times

- The biggest challenges Maggie and Erin faced in their conversion journeys

- How long the conversion timeline was for each of them

- Erin’s book recs for prospective converts

- Their biggest tips for those currently in the conversion process

- What it was like for Erin, who grew up Christian, to share her journey with her family

- Why you should never ask anyone if they’re converting for marriage

- The importance of Jewish community

- How the wider Jewish community can be more accepting to converts

- The parallels Maggie’s found between her experiences as a convert to Judaism and as an immigrant to Australia

- A reminder that learning about Judaism is a lifelong process - whether you converted or were born Jewish

LINKS:

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://brides.smashingtheglass.com/

Brides Club

Choosing A Jewish Life by Anita Diamant

https://amzn.to/3OZN7Ef

To Life! by Harold Kushner

https://amzn.to/3OQopGi

The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel

https://amzn.to/3ugQ7T6

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Hanukkah 2022

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

It’s Hanukkah season, and Karen’s rounded up her very favorite gift options for 2022. In this episode, she shares her picks for the season’s best Hanukkah swag, blue-and-white Judaica, tasty treats, and more, with options to suit all styles and budgets - plus one non-tangible mindset gift Karen hopes we can all give ourselves this Festival of Lights!

LINKS:

Buy the Jewish Joy Journal - use Code JEWISHJOYPODCAST for 10% Discount

http://yourjewishlife.co/hanukkah

Your Jewish Life Hanukkah Party

Blue Glitter Dreidel Stud Earrings by Ariel Tidhar

https://moderntribe.com/collections/hanukkah/products/dreidel-stud-earrings-blue-glitter-or-blue-mirror?aff=83

Challah Tray by Yaeli Vogel

https://yaelivogel.com/collections/all-arts/products/challah-board

Hanukkah Embossing Rolling Pin

https://www.etsy.com/listing/748155475/happy-hanukkah-embossing-rolling-pin?utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=uk_location_buyer&utm_content=180973&awc=6091_1667956486_a2cf912a5a021a715ccb6b0545495146

Jewish Joy Journal - Use Code JEWISHJOYPODCAST for 10% Discount

https://shop.thejewishmuseum.org/black-on-black-mensch-baseball-cap-102919.html

Mensch Baseball Cap

Sugarfina Hanukkah Tasting Collection

https://moderntribe.com/collections/hanukkah/products/eight-nights-of-delight?aff=83

Blue Dreidel Glass Tray by Arielle Zorger

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6091&awinaffid=180973&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Flisting%2F1318037510%2Fblue-dreidels-glass-tray-hanukkah-tray

Salt and Pepper Shakers by Jonathan Adler

https://contemporaryjudaica.co.uk/collections/chanukah/products/newport-salt-pepper-set-by-jonathan-adler

Hanukkah Headband by Lele Sadoughi

https://www.lelesadoughi.com/collections/hr22-capsule-collection/products/https-www-lelesadoughi-com-fa-22-164

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://www.tiktok.com/@thatrelatablejew?lang=en

What It’s Like Being a Jewish Influencer with @thatrelatablejew

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Sarah Haskell, the TikTok star behind @thatrelatablejew, where she shares her own relatable Jewish life with over 100,000 followers. They chat about life as an accidental influencer, Sarah’s personal religious journey, Jewish dating in NYC, and the importance of always knowing who you are.

You’ll find out:

- What inspired Sarah to start sharing her life on TikTok

- What it’s like getting recognized in public

- How she finds the right balance in deciding what to share on social media

- What it’s like being a Jewish TikTok creator - and how Sarah handles all the antisemitism

- Instagram vs. TokTok

- Sarah’s Jewish upbringing, and how her religious identity has evolved

- What it’s been like moving from a very Jewish community on Long Island to a diverse neighborhood in NYC

- The New York Jewish dating scene

- What Sarah hopes non-Jews will take away from her content

LINKS:

Sarah on TikTok

Sarah on Instagram

https://instagram.com/thatrelatablejew

Sarah on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjEnWZkWKorf2w3fyptYwow

Sarah’s art

https://www.instagram.com/art1ofakind/?hl=en

Sarah’s ring light

https://amzn.to/3hqWujI

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://yourjewishlife.co/children

Buy the Jewish Joy Journal - use Code JEWISHJOYPODCAST for 10% Discount https://jewishjoyjournal.com/

How to raise Jewish children to be strong, proud and resilient

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen talks about what it’s like raising her two young daughters as proud Jews, and shares her top tips for Jewish parenting that will instill a love of Judaism in the little ones in your life. Karen gives some great ideas for making Judaism truly joyful for kids of all ages, and also shares some guidance on how to talk about antisemitism. Spoiler alert: raising kids who love being Jewish is a whole lot easier when you’re genuinely proud of your own identity!

LINKS:

How to raise proud Jewish children

Jewish Joy checklist

http://yourjewishlife.co/joy

Karen’s BBC article on celebrating the High Holidays with children

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/celebrating-rosh-hashanah-yom-kippur-kids/zqy8qyc

Jewish recipes resource

https://yourjewishlife.co/recipes

PJ Library

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

The Jewish Pride Revolution with Ben M. Freeman

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Jewish educator and author Ben M. Freeman to discuss all things Jewish pride. The founder of the modern Jewish pride movement, Ben shares all about his own journey to owning his Jewish identity - and how it was set in motion by his experiences as a proud gay man. Ben wants to make sure we stop allowing the non-Jewish world to define our narratives - and his approach is truly changing the Jewish world!

You’ll find out:

- Unpacking internalized anti-Jewishness

- Why there’s no such thing as good Jews or bad Jews

- The importance of reclaiming our story as Jews

- Why Jewish pride is a revolution

- The most important thing the non-Jewish world can do

- How Ben became one of the world’s top experts on Jewish pride - and how his identity as a gay man played a role in his journey

- Why Ben wears a kippah every day

- Ben’s recommendations for talking about Israel - and the importance of making sure we know our stuff before weighing in publicly

- Why Ben doesn’t use the term 'antisemitism'

LINKS:

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://www.bookdepository.com/Reclaiming-Our-Story-Ben-M.-Freeman/9781915036322

Ben’s website

https://benmfreeman.com/

Ben’s new book

Jewish Pride

https://benmfreeman.com/writing/

Ben on Instagram

https://instagram.com/benmfreeman/

Ben on Twitter

https://twitter.com/benmfreeman/

Ben on Eve Barlow’s Substack https://evebarlow.substack.com/archive?sort=new#:~:text=Jewish%20Pride%3A%20One%20year%20on

My Jewish Home Tour

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen leads a tour of her new home, and all the things that make it Jewish - tangible and not. She and her family moved into their dream home this past summer, and as they continue to get settled in they’re making sure to fill it with all the things that spark Jewish joy for them. Along the way, Karen addresses the question of what makes a Jewish home Jewish - and provides an important reminder that the Jewish items in your home don’t need to be expensive to be meaningful!

LINKS:

Ultimate checklist for everything you need in a Jewish home

https://yourjewishlife.co/jewishhome

Karen on celebrating the High Holidays with children

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/celebrating-rosh-hashanah-yom-kippur-kids/zqy8qyc

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://ahyinjudaica.com/

Micaela Ezra’s Judaica brand AHYIN

PJ Library

Ariel Tidhar

https://arieltidhar.com/

Smashing The Glass

https://www.instagram.com/humansofjudaism/

Fighting Jewish Hate with Jewish Unity with Nikki Schreiber of Humans of Judaism

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Nikki Schreiber, founder of Humans of Judaism, where she’s been bringing Jewish stories to life since 2014. They chat about how Nikki channeled her grief over her beloved father’s sudden death into Humans of Judaism, the account’s meteoric rise to fame in the early days of Instagram, and how Nikki’s managed to keep her focus on Jewish unity and positivity in a time of rising antisemitism.

You’ll find out:

- How Nikki got the idea to start Humans of Judaism

- The importance of making space for what we love about our tradition

- Nikki’s favorite Humans of Judaism stories

- How Nikki’s focus has shifted with the rise of antisemitism

- Why it’s vital that we continue to share our Jewish pride without fear

- How Jewish Instagram has evolved since Nikki founded Humans of Judaism in 2014

- Nikki’s tips on how to feel secure in your Jewish identity

- How Nikki keeps her focus on Jewish unity

- What’s next for Humans of Judaism

- How to cope with antisemitism in 2022

LINKS:

Humans of Judaism on Instagram

Humans of Judaism website

https://humansofjudaism.com/

Starbucks post on Humans of Judaism

https://humansofjudaism.com/humansofjudaism/%E2%9C%A8-favorite-this-is-one-of-my-favorite-humans-of-judaism-posts-from-one-year-ago-july-2016

Jessica Seinfeld on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jessseinfeld/

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

http://yourjewishlife.co/stop

How to stand up to antisemitism in a safe, effective way

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen focuses on one of the biggest topics in the Jewish world: how to stand up to antisemitism in a safe, effective way - whether we’re talking about overt acts of hate or subtle microaggressions.

We can either diminish our Jewish identities - in other words, giving antisemites exactly what they want - or we can rise up and beat the shame imposed on us as Jews. Karen shares her top tips for how to take the second path and own our identities in an empowering way - gleaned from some of the biggest names in Jewish advocacy, as well as from her own experience as a Jewish public figure.

LINKS:

My PDF guide to fighting antisemitism - including reading list

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://yourjewishlife.co/podcast/the-truth-about-israel-with-noa-tishby/

Noa Tishby on the Your Jewish Life podcast

Hen Mazzig on the Your Jewish Life podcast

https://yourjewishlife.co/podcast/how-to-love-being-jewish-10x-more-than-anyone-hates-you-for-it-with-hen-mazzig/

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

https://yourjewishlife.co/stop

Fighting for a Better Judaism: Jewish Activism with Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll, a writer and activist committed to taking a clear-eyed look at where things are going wrong in the Jewish world in 2022 - and how we can fix them. Shoshanna discusses her work to advance the rights of Jewish women in the Orthodox community and shares some much-needed advice on how we can come together as a unified Jewish people (even when we disagree!). Whatever your place in the Jewish world, this is such an important conversation filled with so much wisdom about how to stop being a bystander and make change happen.

You’ll find out:

- Why we need to stop judging each other as Jews

- The importance of differentiating between what people do and what God says

- The dangers of increasing polarization in the Jewish world

- How Shoshanna’s fighting against the erasure of women by Jewish extremists

- Why being holy doesn’t mean being hidden

- Why we always need to remember that rabbis are human beings too

- The importance of being the bigger mensch

- Why every Jews should feel empowered to own their own Judaism

- The damage caused when people forget that Judaism is all about the middle ground

- Why the worst thing in the world is a bystander

- Shoshanna’s strategy for talking about Israel

LINKS:

How to Stand Up to Antisemitism

Shoshanna’s Website

https://www.skjaskoll.com/

Shoshanna on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/shoshanna_keats_jaskoll

Shoshanna on Twitter

https://twitter.com/skjask

Chochmat Nashim

https://www.chochmatnashim.org/

Jewish Life Photo Bank

https://jewishlifephotos.com/

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

How to fill your life with Jewish joy

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0000

If you want to bring more Jewish joy into your life, you’ve come to the right place. Karen - who’s been referred to as “the Oprah of Jewish Joy” - shares all about what Jewish joy is and how to tap into it. She shares tons of ideas for bringing Jewish joy into your own life in ways both large and small - as well as a reminder that there’s no one right way to be Jewish. There are so many beautiful, non-intimidating ways to make your life more Jewishly joyful, right now, you’re going t love this episode!

LINKS:

Smashing Life, my Jewish community

Jewish Joy Journal

http://yourjewishlife.co/joy

30 Ideas for Instant Jewish Joy

My 10 Favorite Jewish recipes

http://yourjewishlife.co/recipes

Jewish Joy Playlist

http://yourjewishlife.co/playlist

Micaela Ezra on the podcast

https://yourjewishlife.co/podcast/overcoming-jewish-impostor-syndrome-bringing-jewish-tradition-to-life-with-micaela-ezra/

Micaela Ezra’s website

http://www.micaelaezra.com/

Jewish home checklist

http://yourjewishlife.co/jewishhome

The Queen of Jewish Positivity

https://www.thejc.com/life-and-culture/all/'i-want-everyone-to-be-happy-'-how-a-weddings-website-grew-into-a-brand-new-community-1.522492

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

https://www.instagram.com/itsnata/

Jewish Manifestation with Nata Goldberg

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Nata Goldberg, a Jewish life, mindset, and manifestation coach, for a chat about what exactly manifestation is - and what it means to approach it from a Jewish perspective - how Nata learned to tap into her Jewish spirituality to build the life of her dreams, why she encourages you to drop your New Year’s resolutions, living simply in 2022, and so much more.

You’ll find out:

- What manifestation really is - and how to embrace it in your own life

- Why it’s so important to focus on your authentic desires, not “shoulds” imposed on you by others

- How childhood bullying shaped Nata’s journey

- What it was like for Nata making aliyah to Israel from Germany

- How Nata manifested her dream apartment in Jerusalem

- How keeping Shabbat changed Nata’s life - and her brilliant hack for remembering all the great ideas that come to her on Shabbat when she can’t write them down!

- The importance of mindset

- What it was like for Nata growing up Jewish in Germany

- How living in Israel has helped Nata grow into her most authentic self

- Why Rosh Hashanah is Nata’s favorite holiday

- Nata’s top tip for making the world a better place

LINKS:

Nata’s website

https://www.itsnata.com/

Nata on Instagram

Nata’s podcast

https://www.itsnata.com/podcast

Nefesh b’Nefesh

https://www.nbn.org.il/

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

My Jewish dating journey - internet dating, blind dates.. and meeting The One

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen dives into one of the hottest topics in the Smashing Life community: Jewish dating! As someone who always wanted to get married and have children but ended up taking a little longer to get there, Karen’s been through it all - and now she’s sharing the wisdom accumulated from 15 years of dating to answer Smashing Lifers’ burning questions about single life, the world of Jewish dating, and the importance of finding the courage to live your best life on your own terms, whatever your relationship status.

LINKS:

Join Smashing Life, my Jewish community

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/karen-jeremy-london-wedding-at-the-wallace-collection/

Karen and Jeremy’s wedding on Smashing The Glass

Podcast episode about Smashing The Glass and Jewish weddings

https://yourjewishlife.co/podcast/tradition-tradition-the-joy-of-jewish-weddings/

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

https://www.jewishjoyjournal.com

Jewish Joy Journal early access

The Jewish Joy Journal is here!

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast in which Karen talks your through her long-awaited ‘Jewish Joy Journal’ that you can pre-order today!

Part goal planner, part gratitude journal, part non-judgmental Jewish BFF, the JJJ will fill your life with daily joy, purpose, and nourishing Jewish values.

Within the journal’s pages you’ll find space for daily gratitude, goal planning, kvetches and kvells, as well as thoughtful Shabbat prompts to encourage you to pause and reflect on what really matters in your life.

For 14 days only, you can pre-order the Jewish Joy Journal at jewishjoyjournal.com. When you pre-order, you’ll also receive a limited edition set of 5 Jewish joy postcards, and the first 50 pre-orders will get a hand-written card with a personal message from Karen too!

Grab the Jewish Joy Journal before we order just a limited amount that will sell out at jewishjoyjournal.com!

LINKS:

Pre-order the Jewish Joy Journal

http://jewishjoyjournal.com/

Join Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://yourjewishlife.co/values

Adding Israeli Flair to Your Rosh Hashanah Recipes with Adeena Sussman

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with food writer and Israeli cuisine expert Adeena Sussman for a chat all about how Adeena came to serve as an ambassador of Israeli flavors to diaspora audiences, what it was like for Adeena moving to Israel seven years ago after meeting her husband Jay, and how the perspective she’s gained learning to navigate Israeli food culture as an outsider has reaped unexpected rewards. Of course, they also chat about Adeena’s favorite Rosh Hashanah recipes, and easy ideas for giving your High Holiday table a little bit of Israeli flair wherever you are in the world!

You’ll find out:

- The story of how Adeena became an unlikely Israeli food expert

- How a spontaneous blind date led to marriage and a move to Tel Aviv for Adeena

- What it’s like living smack in the middle of Tel Aviv’s Shuk HaCarmel market

- How putting her personal life first paid off for Adeena – and led to even greater career success

- What it’s like adjusting to Israeli culture as an American

- Why Adeena believes in being unapologetically Jewish more than ever since moving to Israel

- What Rosh Hashanah means to Adeena

- How Adeena’s grown into owning the things that make her different

- Adeena’s top Rosh Hashanah recipes

- How to infuse your High Holiday season with Israeli flair

- What it’s like celebrating Jewish holidays in Israel

- How Adeena decorates for Rosh Hashanah

- All about Adeena’s upcoming Shabbat cookbook – and why Adeena wholeheartedly endorses your Shabbat, your way

- What it was like spending lockdown at Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s house – and how Adeena helped Chrissy explore her Jewish roots

LINKS:

Adeena on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/adeenasussman/

Adeena’s website

https://www.adeenasussman.com/

Sababa

https://www.adeenasussman.com/books

Adeena’s tahini and olive oil granola

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdB3fSjgPKi/

Adeena’s cabbage, apple, and pomegranate slaw

https://www.adeenasussman.com/apple-pomegranate-slaw

Adeena’s sheetpan honey harissa kitchen

https://www.adeenasussman.com/sheepan-chicken

Adeena’s matzo cinnamon toast crunch

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcVqUW6jyxF

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club/

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

http://jmeetups.com/

Jewish Values – what they are and how to embrace them

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen shares some of the Jewish values that are nearest to her own heart - and delves into why Jewish values are so essential for making not only our own lives better, but the entire world too. This episode will help you figure out which values are most important to you, how you can use that knowledge to light you up in your Jewish life, and how you can put more goodness out into the world - while receiving more joy at the same time.

LINKS:

Jewish values guide

Jewish Joy Journal early access

https://www.jewishjoyjournal.com

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

https://www.instagram.com/daniellarabbani/

Rosh Hashanah 5783 - Reflecting and getting vulnerable as we head into the New Year

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Karen sits down with Your Jewish Life team member Sam for a chat about a different side of Rosh Hashanah. While everyone loves chatting about menu plans and tablescapes (and there is a little bit of that here), this time the focus is on a side of the Jewish New Year that doesn’t necessarily get as much attention as it deserves: self-reflection. This time of the Jewish year is all about reflection and growth, and Karen and Sam go deep about what the past year has meant for them, what they hope to bring into the new Jewish year, and how they’re planning to make 5783 a year of growth.

You’ll find out:

- What Karen and Sam want to bring into the new Jewish year of 5783

- The ordeal that is taking time off work or school for the Jewish holidays

- Why Sam’s decided to be unapologetically Jewish at work all year long

- How Karen will be bringing her beloved mother’s legacy into the new year

- The importance of making sure we make space for our own needs heading into the new year

- How you can make 5783 a year of growth

- Why it’s important to make time for self-reflection at Rosh Hashanah

- All about the forthcoming Jewish Joy Journal - the perfect tool for making 5783 your best year yet

- Why banana bread is Sam’s go-to Rosh Hashanah dessert

- What gets Karen’s daughters excited during the High Holidays

- Why Karen thinks everyone should spend at least one Rosh Hashanah in Israel

LINKS:

Rosh Hashanah 2022 Guide

https://yourjewishlife.co/rosh

Rosh Hashanah Spotify playlist

https://yourjewishlife.co/roshplaylist

Jewish Joy Journal early access

https://www.jewishjoyjournal.com

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club/

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

https://jmeetups.com/

Jewish Mental Health with Laur Plawker

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Laur Plawker for an emotional discussion about Jewish mental health, intergenerational trauma, and the beauty of finding an unexpected sense of home in Israel. Laur is a mental health professional whose own struggles with anxiety, eating disorders, and more brought her closer to her heritage after a secular upbringing - and her moving story of finding faith in recovery is a must-listen.

You’ll find out:

- How a 12-step program brought Laur closer to Judaism

- The role of resilience in mental health

- How being the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor has impacted her life - and spurred an interest in epigenetics

- All about Laur’s incredibly moving first-ever trip to Israel earlier this year

- How Laur went from rejecting the idea of Israel as the Jewish homeland to identifying as a Zionist

- The importance of always staying true to your core self

- What it means to Laur to be a Jewish woman

LINKS:

Laur on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thehealinghappycook/?hl=en

Smashing The Glass Jewish wedding blog

https://www.smashingtheglass.com/

Laur’s Jewish mental health podcast, Kvetching on the Couch

https://www.callin.com/show/kvetching-on-the-couch-jMwTDPOtrM

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club/

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

http://jmeetups.com/

How to Raise Proud Jewish Children with Carrie Nachmani

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Carrie Nachmani, a 63 year old 'Grandfluencer' and proud Jewish woman par excellence. The mother of three wonderful daughters, including influencer Arielle Charnas, Carrie is an absolute font of Jewish parenting wisdom, and in this episode she shares some of her secrets to raising successful, confident children who proudly own their Jewish identities.

You’ll find out:

- Why Carrie is so passionate about owning her identity as a proud Jewish woman

- The importance of instilling Jewish values in her daughters

- What Americans can learn from Israeli parenting

- How to keep the lines of communication open with teenagers

- All about raising proud Jewish children

- Her difficult upbringing as a child of Holocaust survivors

- How her first trip to Israel changed her life

- All about learning to cook from her Moroccan Israeli mother-in-law

LINKS:

Carrie on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/carriestable/

Carrie’s daughter Arielle Charnas

https://www.instagram.com/ariellecharnas/

Arielle's podcast episode with Carrie

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HJBFViuo4lhg2AH

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club/

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

http://jmeetups.com/

Jewish Instagram and Jewish Humor with Aly Silverberg of @jewishgirlprobs

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Aly Silverberg, the queen of Jewish relatability. As the founder of @jewishgirlprobs, Aly shares all about her journey as one of the founding figures of Jewish Instagram, chatting about the connection between Jewish humor and Jewish survival, the art of the meme, the importance of owning your Jewish identity - and so much more!

You’ll find out:

- How Aly got the idea to start @jewishgirlprobs in 2018

- Balancing her personal Jewish activism with her audience’s expectations

- What Jewish humor means to Aly

- How she handles people who treat her as an authority on Judaism

- Why it’s important to accept that you can’t please everyone

- Finding the right balance between self-deprecation and positivity

- Why we need Jewish humor even more during hard times

- How @jewishgirlprobs helped Aly land her day job at Snapchat

- The importance of surrounding yourself with people who accept your full self

- What Aly finds most meaningful in Judaism

- All about her Beatles-themed bat mitzvah

LINKS:

@jewishgirlprobs on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jewishgirlprobs/

jewishgirlprobs’ website

https://www.jewishgirlprobs.com/

Aly’s baked brie and matzah meme

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcoT-P3jhmL/?hl=en

Aly’s Jewish music playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22khDRVbM7XVfT4liKeVQV?si=eKuTmfHyQAO1iXj6EBke6A

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club/

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

http://jmeetups.com/

Hanukkah Decor outdoor inflatables Kickstarter

https://hanukkahdecor.com/kickstarter

You Are Jewish Enough - Just The Way You Are: Jewish Belonging with Daniella Rabbani

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with actress, filmmaker, and podcaster Daniella Rabbani to chat all about Daniella’s “deliciously Jewish” life, the importance of finding your own place in Judaism, the joy of Jewish music, and so much more. Daniella truly embodies Your Jewish Life’s philosophy of “your Jewish life, your way,” and she positively radiates Jewish joy - making this episode an absolute must-listen if you could use a little reminder that you are Jewish enough, just the way you are.

You’ll find out:

- What being Jewish means to Daniella

- How she learned to tap into her own Jewish joy

- Daniella’s favorite thing about being Jewish

- Why we as Jews need to rid ourselves of internalized antisemitism and shame

- How she stopped feeling ashamed that she met her husband at a Jewish charity event

- The importance of not judging other Jews

- How studying Yiddish changed Daniella’s life

- All about Daniella’s own podcast, Mom Curious, about finding your own path through motherhood

LINKS:

Daniella’s Instagram

Daniella’s website

https://www.daniellarabbani.com/

Mom Curious

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mom-curious/id1602585064

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://hanukkahdecor.com/kickstarter

Hanukkah Decor outdoor inflatables Kickstarter

JMeetups.com, where you can find love across our global Jewish community

http://jmeetups.com/

Challah Royalty: The Art of Challah with Idan Chabasov, aka the Challah Prince

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with none other than the Challah Prince himself! Idan Chabasov is truly a challah baker like no other, and his artistic, meditative approach to challah has taken Instagram by storm. A native Tel Avivian, Idan always loved eating challah but never tried baking it until he moved to Berlin as an adult. He shares all the details of his journey to challah royalty, why he identifies as an artist rather than a baker, the benefits of niching down, and so much more!

You’ll find out:

- The story of Idan’s path to becoming the Challah Prince

- How the pandemic got so many more people into challah baking

- Why you won’t find any other types of bread or baked goods on Idan’s account

- How he brings his background in art and dance to challah baking

- Which challah design is his all-time favorite

- Idan’s stance on fancy challah toppings and stuffings

- The importance of blocking out all the external noise and staying authentic

- How his time living in Berlin changed his relationship with Judaism

- The joys of edible, impermanent art

- All about Idan’s challah tour of America

LINKS:

Challah Prince on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/challahprince/

Challah Prince’s website

https://www.challahprince.com/land

Karen and Idan in Tel Aviv (middle of the Reel)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbSmMjzAKkI/

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club

Living Your Most Authentic Jewish Life with Tony Westbrook (@frumjewishblackboy)

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0000

“Why be a second-rate version of someone else when you can be a first-rate version of yourself?” That’s just one of the brilliant soundbites from Karen’s conversation with Tony Westbrook, aka @frumjewishblackboy. Tony is so full of enthusiasm for joyful, non-judgmental Judaism, and his discussion with Karen about what it’s like being an Orthodox queer Black Jewish person, how he lives his most authentic Jewish life, and why the only constant in Judaism is change is one you won’t want to miss.

You’ll find out:

- How Tony became an accidental TikTok star

- What the next generation of Jews are looking for in communal life

- Why the butts-in-seats model of Jewish communal engagement is out of date

- How he uses social media as a way to channel his lighthearted side despite spending most of his time dealing with serious Jewish communal issues on the job

- Why it’s important to bring out the fun side of Judaism

- How to deal when your Jewish identity don’t fit into a box

- Tony’s tips on finding the courage to live your most authentic life

- What it means to be a Jew and a person of color in today’s world

- How Jewish communities can make themselves more welcoming

LINKS:

Tony’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/frumjewishblackboy/?hl=en

Tony’s TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@frumjewishblackboy?lang=en

Karen and Tony in Tel Aviv on the Jews Talk Justice trip

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbSmMjzAKkI/

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club/

The Truth about Israel with Noa Tishby

Tue, 24 May 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Israeli actress, producer, writer, and activist Noa Tishby to talk about advocating for Israel - everything from why you should (hint: Jews deserve self-determination just like any other group), to how to determine who might be receptive to the conversation, and how to find the right words to discuss the world’s most misunderstood country. Plus, Noa shares about how she’s working to solve Israel’s PR problem in her new role as the first-ever Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism and Delegitimization of Israel. You’ll find out: - How you can start advocating for Israel in your own life - How to deal with antisemitism fatigue - Why the Jewish people’s right to self-determination shouldn’t be up for debate - Why not being triggered is a superpower - What inspired Noa to become an Israel advocate - How she breaks down complex issues into simple, accessible tidbits - Why antisemitism isn’t going to be solved in any of our lifetimes - and why it’s important to keep fighting it anyway - What Zionism actually is - and what it isn’t - Why Israel actually isn’t as complicated as people think - The power of small changes - Why Israel is held to a standard that doesn’t apply to any other country - Why Israel has such a massive PR problem - What she wishes people understood about Israel LINKS: Noa’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/noatishby/ Noa’s website https://www.noatishby.com/ Noa’s book https://www.noatishby.com/book Smashing Life, my private community for Jewish women https://smashinglife.club/

Fuel for Jewish Joy: Exploring the Magic of Jewish Food with Felicity Spector

Tue, 10 May 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Felicity Spector - news producer by day, London foodie influencer after hours - to talk about one of the most joyous of Jewish topics: food! Felicity spills all the details on her life as an accidental food influencer, how Jewish food helped her reconnect with her Jewish identity, why food is an amazing way to make friends and forge new connections, and why it’s never too late to start baking your own challah!

You’ll find out:

- How food fuels Jewish joy

- What makes Israeli food so exciting

- How she balances her demanding career in international news with her side gig as a food influencer

- Felicity’s favorite Jewish and Israeli eateries

- How she went from a totally secular upbringing in Birmingham, UK, to becoming one of London’s top Jewish foodies

- Why food is a great way to share Jewish culture

- The rise of Israeli food in London over the past decade

- Why food is a great way to start reconnecting with your Jewish identity

- How she makes friends through food

- Felicity’s go-to sources for great Jewish recipes

- Why you might want to practice new challah techniques by braiding tights!

LINKS:

Felicity’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/felicityspector/

Jake Cohen https://www.instagram.com/jakecohen/

Jake Cohen’s cookbook https://www.wakeandjake.com/jewish-a-cookbook

Ottolenghi https://ottolenghi.co.uk/

Honey & Co https://honeyandco.co.uk/

Cook for Ukraine https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cookforukraine/

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community https://smashinglife.club/

Making Millennial Jews Feel Seen with Molly Tolsky

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Molly Tolsky, the founder and editor of Jewish culture site (and awesome Instagram account) Hey Alma and editor of Jewish parenting site Kveller. They chat about making space for Jewish Millennials to feel seen, the importance of showcasing diverse Jewish voices, and the joys of helping Jews connect with each other. You’ll find out: - What it was like going from a very Jewish home community to a not-very-Jewish college - All about Molly's music-themed Mollypalooza bat mitzvah - complete with a choreographed dance to “Welcome to Miami” - How writing brought her back into the Jewish world as an adult - How Molly got the idea to start Hey Alma - Dealing with online backlash - Why seeing Jews judge each other is the hardest thing about her job - All about those awesome Alma Classifieds - What sparks Jewish joy for Molly LINKS: Hey Alma https://www.heyalma.com Hey Alma’s Instagram (where you can find the Alma Classifieds!) https://www.instagram.com/hey.alma Kveller https://www.kveller.com Kveller’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kvellercom Molly’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mollytolsky Molly’s bat mitzvah https://www.instagram.com/p/CbQaVdyLuw4/ Smashing Life, my community membership club for Jewish + Jew(ish) women https://smashinglife.club/

Living Your Best Interfaith Jewish Life With Rabbi Robyn Frisch and Nicole Wasilus of 18Doors

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Rabbi Robyn Frisch and Nicole Wasilus of 18Doors, a wonderful organization that helps interfaith couples and families grow their Jewish - or Jew-ish - identities in an authentic way. Rabbi Robyn and Nicole have so much wisdom to share, and this episode is truly a must for anyone who’s part of an interfaith relationship or family. You’ll find out: - Why getting involved with Judaism can sometimes feel intimidating and how to overcome it - How to get started engaging with Judaism if you’re out of practice - The importance of open, honest communication with your non-Jewish partner or family members - The importance of setting boundaries with family who may not agree with your choices - Small, non-intimidating steps you can take to bring Judaism into your lives - How to find elements of Judaism that spark Jewish (or Jew-ish) joy for you - What to do when you feel judged - Tips on raising Jewish children in an interfaith environment - Why it’s so important to find a community where you can feel comfortable–even if it’s online! LINKS: 18Doors https://18doors.org/ 18Doors Passover resources https://18doors.org/tag/passover/ Smashing Life, my community membership club for Jewish + Jew(ish) women https://smashinglife.club/ Your Jewish Life Passover guide https://yourjewishlife.co/passoverguide Smashing The Glass, my Jewish wedding platform and community https://www.smashingtheglass.com/ PJ Library https://pjlibrary.org/home Mazel Pups Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/423561119504616/

How to Have Your Best Passover Ever in 2022

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen is joined by Emily and Sam from the Smashing Life team to talk all things Passover! Join them as they dish on their most memorable childhood Passovers, debate the merits of the Maxwell House Haggadah, and, above all, share how they make this sometimes challenging holiday their own. Whether this holiday is your favorite or least favorite, whether you’re a newbie or have been celebrating your whole life, this conversation is guaranteed to get you in the mood for matzah!

You’ll find out:

- When Passover falls in 2022 - Why Passover has always been Sam’s favorite holiday - How a hardened chametz addict came to love Passover - Some of our favorite Passover eats - What goes on a seder plate - How it’s been weathering Passover during the pandemic - Tips on how to make the most of Passover if you’re spending it alone - Why we’re excited for Passover Bingo inside the Smashing Life Community - What we’re doing to get in the mood as we prepare for the holiday LINKS:

My must-have guide to everything you need to know about Passover in 2022 yourjewishlife.co/passoverguide Passover Spotify Playlist yourjewishlife.co/passoverplaylist Smashing Life, my community membership club for Jewish women https://smashinglife.club/ Matzah brei recipe https://www.instagram.com/reel/CM-D-O9ACgU/ Matzah crack recipe https://www.instagram.com/reel/CM4x9vSAI3E/ Almodrote recipe https://www.poppyandprune.com/2018/04/02/eggplant-and-cheese-casserole-almodrote-de-berengena/

How to love being Jewish 10x more than anyone hates you for it with Hen Mazzig

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Israeli writer and activist Hen Mazzig, the son of Mizrahi Jewish refugees from Iraq and North Africa who’s made it his mission to share his family's story with the world. They chat about finding your own path in life and choosing a Jewish identity that’s meaningful to you, using social media for good, how to deal when society doesn’t accept parts of your identity, and why Mizrahi culture is the secret sauce that makes Israel so awesome. You’ll find out: - How his observant Mizrahi Israeli upbringing shaped his identity - and why he feels more Jewishly connected now than ever before, despite leading a more secular life - Using social media to empower Jews and other marginalized groups - How he came to embrace his Iraqi-Tunisian heritage despite facing discrimination growing up - Embracing the diversity of the Jewish world - What it was like growing up queer in a homphobic society - Facing discrimination as an Israeli in progressive circles - Tips on how to love being Jewish 10 times more than anyone hates you for it - Why he believes in always finding the best in people - Why being Jewish in the 21st century is a miracle - The importance of making sure Jewish identity is shaped by joy more than by fear and hatred - His favorite things about being Jewish - Why he loves hosting Shabbat dinners - and some of his favorite hosting hacks - Why Mizrahi culture is the secret sauce that makes Israel awesome - All about his upcoming book on Jews from the Middle East and North Africa, coming out in late 2022 LINKS: Hen’s website https://www.henmazzig.com/ Hen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/henmazzig/?hl=en Hen on Twitter https://twitter.com/HenMazzig I promise to love being Jewish 10x more than anyone hates me for it https://www.instagram.com/p/CYJyUt6tjVT/ Buttmitzvah https://www.facebook.com/buttmitzvah/ Kubbeh recipe https://www.jewishfoodsociety.org/posts/2018/6/8/preserving-a-kurdish-recipe-one-kubbeh-at-a-time

Smashing Life, my Jewish community for women

How to Make Jewish Friends as an Adult

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Emily from the Your Jewish Life content team to chat about one of the trickiest parts of adulthood: making friends - especially Jewish ones! They speak about their respective experiences - Karen’s in London and Emily’s in NYC - along with sharing some crowdsourced advice from members of the Smashing Life community. The bottom line is, it’s not easy - but if you’re dedicated and willing to put yourself out there, you CAN make it happen! And if you need a little help, join our Jewish Connection Challenge, happening right now! Here are some of our top suggestions for making new Jewish friends: - Host or attend a Shabbat dinner - Find a Jewish roommate - Work at a Jewish organization or business - Ask your friends (Jewish or not) to connect you with their other Jewish friends - Join local Jewish Facebook groups - Go on a Jewish group trip, or attend a Jewish retreat or conference - Take a Hebrew class - Reconnect with some old Jewish friends, if you’ve got them - Volunteer for a Jewish charity - Wear some Jewish jewelry, or something with Hebrew on it - Join our Smashing Life Community - Sign up for the Jewish Connection Challenge LINKS: Smashing Life, my community for Jewish women https://smashinglife.club/ Jewish Connection Challenge https://yourjewishlife.co/connection

OneTable https://onetable.org/

Hen Mazzig’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/henmazzig/?hl=en

Hazon Jewish Food Conference https://hazon.org/calendar/hazon-food-conference/

Ariel Tidhar https://www.arieltidhar.com/

Small, easy steps to take to lean into your Jewishness with Lisa Lisser of JewBelong

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Lisa Lisser, Executive Vice President at JewBelong.com. Long known for their slightly risque NYC bus shelter ads, lately JewBelong’s been pushing the envelope in expanding the conversation around antisemitism with their attention-getting Times Square billboards. Lisa chats with Karen about JewBelong’s core mission of making Judaism accessible to disengaged Jews, how she deals with Jewbarrassment, and why you don’t have to be an expert to experience the joy of Judaism. You’ll find out: - Why there’s no such thing as a bad Jew - How we as Jews can keep rules from dividing us - Why Passover is Lisa’s favorite Jewish holiday - and how she makes her seders her own - Small, easy steps you can take to lean into your Judaism - and the awesome resources JewBelong offers to help you do exactly this - What sparks Jewish joy for Lisa - The story behind those billboards bringing antisemitism to the forefront in Times Square - What JewBelong is doing to get people talking about antisemitism - and how their work is bringing Jews together LINKS: Join our free Jewish Connection Challenge https://yourjewishlife.co/connection JewBelong https://www.jewbelong.com JewBelong on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jewbelong JewBelong in Times Square https://www.instagram.com/p/CQtbo7ctu2R/

Smashing Life, my Jewish community for women

https://smashinglife.club

Judaism Without Shame: Empowering Your Jewish Identity with Jewish Advocate Amy Albertson

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 04:00:00 -0000

Karen sits down with Jewish advocate and educator Amy Albertson to chat all about Amy’s experiences as a Chinese American Jewish woman, and her work to empower ALL Jews to own their Jewish identities with no apologies. A passionate voice for ending gatekeeping within the Jewish community, Amy’s celebration of the diversity of the Jewish world and passion for making space for all of us to live our own best Jewish lives, our way, is sure to fill you with hope for the Jewish future. You’ll find out: - All about her upbringing with a Chinese American mom and Ashkenazi American dad - How attending Catholic high school strengthened her Jewish identity - What it was like diving into a Jewish community in college for the first time - Her journey from viewing herself as Jew-ish to Jewish - Why diversity is the secret sauce to the richness of the Jewish people - How she deals with other people trying to define her Jewishness - Non-intimidating ways to start being louder about your Judaism - The importance of making sure your Jewish identity isn’t defined by antisemitism - What it’s like advocating for Israel online in 2022 - How Jewish communities can do better welcoming Jews of Color LINKS:

Smashing Life, my Jewish community for women https://smashinglife.club

@theamyalbertson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theamyalbertson Amy Albertson’s website https://www.amyalbertson.com/

Tradition…. Tradition!: The Joy of Jewish Weddings

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 04:00:00 -0000

This week, Karen puts on her Jewish wedding expert hat and chats all about one of the most beautiful Jewish traditions of all. You may know her best as the host of this podcast and founder of Smashing Life, but Karen also runs Smashing The Glass - the world’s largest Jewish platform - which she founded while planning her own wedding in 2013. She knows everything that’s worth knowing about Jewish weddings, and then some - and she’s got some valuable pointers for anyone currently in the midst of planning a Jewish or Jew-ish wedding (or hoping to be soon!). You’ll find out: - What’s special about Jewish weddings - Why Karen’s obsessed with the wedding scene in Fiddler on the Roof - and what we can all learn from it - How Karen got the inspiration to found Smashing The Glass in 2013 - All about Jewish traditions and ways to make them your own - Ways to make your Jewish wedding egalitarian while keeping to traditions - Tips on how to manage family relationships while planning a wedding - Why dancing is Karen’s favorite thing about Jewish weddings - The first thing you and your partner should do after getting engaged - The importance of setting boundaries during wedding planning LINKS:

Join our Brides Club

https://brides.smashingtheglass.com/

Smashing The Glass