Tablet Studios

Latest Episodes:

Bonus: Passover Melodies Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

This week we’re sharing a special bonus episode to accompany your pre-Passover prep.

You heard musician Josh Warshawsky sing the order of the Seder on last week’s Passover episode, proving that even the Haggadah's table of contents offers musical inspiration. Today we’re airing Mark’s interview with Warshawsky, in which the rabbi and song leader discusses the various melodies of the Haggadah and takes us on a song-filled journey from start to finish.

We love to hear from you! Send us your emails and voice memos at unorthodox@tabletmag.com, or leave a voicemail at our listener line: (914) 570-4869. Remember to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more. Join our Facebook group, and follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our recording sessions on our YouTube channel.

Check out our upcoming events: tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Download The Tab, a printable weekly digest from Tablet: tabletm.ag/tab.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tsinger@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Passover to Remember: Ep. 313 Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re digging into Passover traditions.

Stephanie Butnick rids her home of chametz, or leavened bread, with a legalistic assist from producer Robert Scaramuccia. Featuring Rivkah Slonim.

Liel Leibovitz explores the tradition of Jewish first-born sons fasting before Passover, which takes him in some unexpected literary directions. Featuring Erica Brown and Andre Aciman.

Producer Josh Kross interrogates the Wicked Child archetype, with the help of his teenage son. Featuring Rabbi Sari Laufer.

Mark Oppenheimer explores the meaning behind the afikoman, and the various traditions surrounding the end-of-Seder snack. Featuring Dovid Bashevkin.

Get prepared for Passover with Tablet's “Passover Haggadah: An Ancient Story for Modern Times,” available at tabletm.ag/passover.

We’ve got events coming up!

April 7 — We’ll be doing a live show at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, hosted by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, with schmoozing and book signing afterwards. 7:30 p.m. Eastern, get your tickets here.

April 11, 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Lisa Barr and James McAuley. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here.

May 15, 2022 - Mark Oppenheimer will be discussing his book, Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood at Temple Beth Israel in Skokie Illinois. 10 a.m. Central; tickets here.

May 22. 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Gary Shteyngart and Claire Stanford as part of the Jewish Book Council and the Jewish Museum’s Unpacking the Book series. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here.

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Check out The Tab, a new printable weekly digest from Tablet: tabletm.ag/tab.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tsinger@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Sponsors:

Harry’s New customers can get a Harry’s Trial Set for just $3 at harrys.com/unorthodox.

KOL Foods Use code UnorthodoxPesach for 10% off your Passover order at kolfoods.com.

HIAS Make a gift to support HIAS’ emergency response in Ukraine at hias.org/unorthodox.

ChaiFlicks Get your first month of streaming for only $3 by entering code UNORTHODOX at checkout at chaiflicks.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s Cookin’?: Ep. 312 Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re calling the lox-smith.

Our Jew of the Week is Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser, who worked for the Obama campaign and administration and helped bring the first Seder to the White House. He’s now running for Lieutenant Governor, and he joins us for some Western Massachusetts Jewish geography and Friendly’s reminiscences.

Then we share a segment from our producer Quinn Waller. She’s converting to Judaism, and with her first Passover coming up, she’s getting into the kitchen and learning how to do it right.

Get prepared for Passover with Tablet's “Passover Haggadah: An Ancient Story for Modern Times.” Our publisher is offering discounted sets at tabletm.ag/passover.

We’ve got events coming up!

April 11, 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Lisa Barr and James McAuley. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here.

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Check out The Tab, a new printable weekly digest from Tablet: tabletm.ag/tab.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tsinger@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Sponsors:

KOL Foods offers healthy, sustainable, kosher meat and poultry. Use code UnorthodoxPesach for 10% off your order at kolfoods.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We Are Family: Ep. 311 Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re all connected.

Our Jewish guest is Julie Platt, the new chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, and the mother of some very talented Jewish children. She tells us about the work JFNA is doing to help Jews in Ukraine, and shares her theories on why so many Camp Ramah alums end up on Broadway, her sons included.

Our Gentile of the Week is Father Thomas Soroka, an Eastern Orthodox priest at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh. He’s one of the faith leaders participating in The Tent, Tablet’s month-long project to promote faith accessibility and interfaith conversation. We talk about what orthodoxy means for Christians and he sheds some light on the religious context of the war in Ukraine. You can listen to Father Soroka’s radio shows here.

We’ve got events coming up!

April 11, 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Lisa Barr and James McAuley. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here.

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Check out The Tab, Tablet magazine's new printable weekly digest. Laid out in an attractive PDF for reading on a tablet or desktop, or to be printed, The Tab takes you into Shabbat and through the weekend, for free. Get your copy at tabletm.ag/tab.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tabletstudios@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Sponsors:

KOL Foods offers healthy, sustainable, kosher meat and poultry. Use code UnorthodoxPesach for 10% off your order at kolfoods.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Party On: Ep. 310 Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re throwing a party.

Our Jewish guest this week is Judith Rosenbaum, CEO of the Jewish Women’s Archive, who joins us to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the bat mitzvah in America. We talk about the first girl to be become a bat mitzvah, in 1922, plus what bat mitzvahs have meant for Jewish girls and women in the intervening century .

We also speak with Debbie Haback, who co-wrote the 1986 Preppy Handbook parody, The Jewish American Princess Handbook.

Plus, we hear an essay from lawyer and writer Emma Sokoloff-Rubin about growing to love her curly Jewish hair.

Check out Tablet’s month-long interfaith project, The Tent, at welcometothetent.com.

We’ve got events coming up!

April 11, 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Lisa Barr and James McAuley. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here.

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tabletstudios@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Sponsors:

KOL Foods offers healthy, sustainable, kosher meat and poultry. Use code UnorthodoxPesach for 10% off your order at kolfoods.com.

ChaiFlicks, the Jewish streaming service, features the best TV and film from across the Jewish world. Get your first month’s subscription for only $3 by using code UNORTHODOX at checkout : www.chaiflicks.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Posted Notes: Ep. 309 Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re doing the Wordle.

Evan Jacobson is a TikTok saxophone sensation. You might have seen his viral series where he adds sax solos to “songs that don’t need them.” We got him to compose sax solos to such cultural Jewish anthems as "Sunrise, Sunset" and Jeff Buckley’s cover of "Hallelujah."

Shawn Setaro is a writer and podcaster, who created and hosted The Cipher, a hip-hop podcast produced by Unorthodox's own Josh Kross. He talks with us about his new book, Dummy Boy: Tekashi 6ix9ine and the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.

Check out Tablet’s month-long interfaith project, The Tent, at welcometothetent.com

We’ve got events coming up!

April 11, 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Lisa Barr and James McAuley. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here.

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tabletstudios@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Sponsors:

Harry’s is a great shave at a great price. New customers can get a Starter Set—which includes a five-blade razor, weighted handle, foaming shave gel with aloe, and a travel cover—for just $3 at harrys.com/unorthodox.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocking and Rolling: Ep. 308 Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re getting jiggy with it.

Our Jewish guest is Lenny Solomon, frontman of the Jewish rock band Shlock Rock. He talks with us about what it takes to create a great parody song, the role of humor in music, and accounting. You can donate to his fundraiser for his musical, Daniel in Babylon, here. Our Gentile of the Week is professor and writer Devoney Looser, who teaches us about Jane Austen and roller derby, and the surprising ways in which these two subjects intersect.

Check out Tablet’s month-long interfaith project, The Tent, at welcometothetent.com.

We’ve got events coming up!

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tabletstudios@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Going Places: Ep 307 Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re lifting off.

This week we’re doing things a little differently. With the situation in Ukraine heating up, two Tablet writers offer their perspective. Vladislav Davidzon talks to us from the ground in Kyiv and Armin Rosen takes us to Uman for the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.

We’ve got events coming up!

Feb. 24 — Mark will be the keynote speaker at the Jewish Festival of Learning at Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo. 5 p.m. PST; register here.

Feb. 24 — Stephanie will be in conversation with authors Gal Beckerman (“The Quiet Before”) and Talia Lavin (“Culture Warlords”) for the Jewish Book Council and the Jewish Museum’s Unpacking the Book series. 7 p.m. EST; register here.

Feb. 25-27 — Mark will be the Scholar in Residence at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, PA. Register for his talks here.

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tabletstudios@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chasing Memory: Ep. 306 Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re ordering gazpacho for the table.

Our Jewish guest this week is Tablet’s very own Wayne Hoffman, whose new book is The End of Her: Racing Against Alzheimers to Solve a Murder. He talks with us about family legends, coming to terms with his mother’s decline, and the morass of memory. We’re giving away a few free copies of Wayne’s book on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

We’ve got events coming up!

Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, we’ll be doing a live show at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, hosted by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, with schmoozing and book signing afterwards. Get your tickets here.

Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Eastern, Stephanie will be discussing Wayne Hoffman’s new book, The End of Her, at Manhattan’s KGB Bar, 85 E. 4th St.

Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Eastern (virtual), Stephanie will be in conversation with authors Gal Beckerman (“The Quiet Before”) and Talia Lavin (“Culture Warlords”) for the Jewish Book Council and the Jewish Museum’s Unpacking the Book series. Register here.

Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tabletstudios@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Sponsors:

ChaiFlicks is now streaming the hit Israeli comedy called “The New Black,” which follows four rebellious students at a yeshiva in Jerusalem as they try to reconcile their desire for modern life with their religious upbringing. Watch it now at chaiflicks.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Old School: Ep. 305 Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, we’re throwing it back.

Our Gentile of the week is writer Chuck Klosterman, whose new book is The Nineties. He tells us why the 90s were the last real decade, plus what it’s like to earnestly promote a book about an era when apathy reigned supreme. We, on the other hand, are happy to be commercial sellouts—we’re giving away copies of The Nineties on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tsinger@tabletmag.com.

Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Sponsors:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected