Tablet Studios

Latest Episodes:

Lunch Dates: Ep. 224 Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

This week, two Jews and a Quaker walk into a podcast!

First, Stephanie has lunch with A.J. Jacobs—over Zoom. He explains his fondness for dining via the videoconferencing service, which he started doing five years ago while working from home. He tells us about returning to the germaphobic habits he worked hard to abandon, reminds us to remain grateful during trying times, and tells us about his puzzling latest project.

Then, Mark checks in with Eric Ackland, owner of Amazing Books and Records in Pittsburgh, PA. Eric was on our conversion episode in 2019, telling the story of his journey from secular Judaism to Orthodoxy. He returns to candidly share the financial uncertainty now facing his business, which has closed both its locations and is now relying on online sales.

Finally, we talk to Andy Boone, our first Quaker guest, and Mark's poker buddy. He tells us about his love of hobbies, including most recently, birding, and helps us embrace the Quaker-friendly values of silence and contemplation.

Be part of our upcoming special episodes! Do you have a story to share about conversion, and what books or movies helped you along the way? Want to tell us about a lesser-known Jewish community for our Jews Around the World episode? Send us your story as a voicemail at (914) 570-4869, or record a voice memo on your phone and email it to unorthodox@tabletmag.com.

Our tour events for April 2020 have been postponed. Stay tuned for updates on rescheduled dates, and join our Facebook group to see much more of us, and connect with other listeners. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more.

Follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram.

Get your Unorthodox T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baby onesies here.

Sponsors:

The Great Courses Plus is offering a free month of unlimited access to their entire library of online courses. Start your free month atthegreatcoursesplus.com/unorthodox.

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Bonus: Passover Saturday Night Apr 11, 2020

Show notes

On today’s Unorthodox bonus episode, Liel has a conversation with author Sharon Cameron about her new novel, The Light in Hidden Places, which is based on the true story of a 16-year-old girl who hid thirteen Jews in her attic, while Nazis bunked below. Then we have another joke by Columbia University professor Jeremy Dauber, an expert on Jewish humor.

If you want to keep these minisodes going, we’d love for you to rate Unorthodox on iTunes and set up a recurring donation—we suggest $5/month, which is to say one fancy coffee a month—at tabletmag.com/donate

And, as always, if you want to keep up with all things Unorthodox, join our Facebook group here!

Shalom, friends. Stay well.

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Feeding the Family: Ep. 223 Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

This week, an episode all about… food! Listen in as Stephanie tours the Joyva factory and learns about how the Passover jelly rings (and the marshmallow twists, and the halvah bars) get made at the family-run confection company.

Then, live from Encinitas, CA, our interview with chef Einat Admony recorded at The Hive at Leichtag Commons. She tells us about her Taim falafel empire, growing up Mizrahi in Israel, and bringing the eggplant dish known as sabich to American diners.

You’ve heard us talk about Soom Foods and their tahini-based products, and this week we sit down with Amy Zitelman, who founded the company with her two sisters. (You better believe their parents are kvelling.)

Last but not least, Stephanie chats with Pati Jinich [https://patijinich.com/], the host of Pati’s Mexican Kitchen on PBS. She tells us about growing up in Mexico City eating Ashkenazi dishes that incorporated elements of Mexican cuisine, like gefilte fish a la Veracruzana, and why her family’s Yom Kippur break-fasts are unlike anything she’s experienced in the U.S.

Tell us what you're doing for this year's Seder. Email us at Unorthodox@tabletmag.com or leave a message at 914-570-4869.

Our tour events for April 2020 have been postponed. Stay tuned for updates on rescheduled dates, and join our Facebook group to see much more of us, virtually, in the coming weeks.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more.

Follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram.

Get your Unorthodox T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baby onesies here.

Sponsors:

The Great Courses Plus is offering a free month of unlimited access to their entire library of online courses. Start your free month atthegreatcoursesplus.com/unorthodox.

Harry's, a great shave at a great price. Get a free trial set with a 5-blade razor, shave gel, and a travel blade cover at harrys.com/unorthodox.

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

Bonus: Passover Preppin' Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Today we're bringing you two very special interviews. First, we talk with Marcy Goldman, author of the perfectly named Newish Jewish Cookbook, about her Caramel Matzoh Crunch recipe and what else she's making for Passover.

And then, we listen in on Stephanie's early March visit to New York City restaurant Jack’s Wife Freda. She sat down with owners Maya and Dean Jankelovitz, who told me about their Seders growing up in Israel and South Africa, and offered some expert tips about hosting a Passover seder.

Tell us what you're doing to make this year's Seder special: Email us at Unorthodox@tabletmag.com or leave a message at 914-570-4869.

Follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram, and join our Facebook group.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more.

Get your Unorthodox T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baby onesies here.

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

Bonus: Kabbalat Shabbat HaGadol Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

On today’s Unorthodox dispatch, Liel prepares for Shabbat HaGadol with a conversation with Yeshiva University's Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern about someone who is clearly missing from the Passover story. You can read Stu's article about it here. Then we have another joke by Columbia University professor Jeremy Dauber, an expert on Jewish humor.

And, as always, if you want to keep up with all things Unorthodox, join our Facebook group here!

Shalom, friends. Stay well.

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Our Socially Distanced Seder Guide: Ep. 222 Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

Passover has always offered solace and meaning during difficult times. This year's Seder looks very different from all other Seders, and we've got you covered. This episode walks you through the steps of the Seder, with special guests, perfect-for-Passover music, and more. Our guide is Tablet's new Passover Haggadah: An Ancient Story for Modern Times, which you can still order online on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. A digital version is available at bit.ly/tablethaggadahdigital.

Tell us how you're making this year's Passover Seder special. Email us at Unorthodox@tabletmag.com or leave a message at 914-570-4869.

Our tour events for April 2020 have been postponed. Stay tuned for updates on rescheduled dates, and join our Facebook group to see much more of us, virtually, in the coming weeks.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more.

Follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram.

Get your Unorthodox T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baby onesies here.

Sponsors:

In this time of anxiety, Jewish-based mindfulness and meditation may be the thing you need. Check out the Institute for Jewish Spirituality at Jewishspirituality.org/unorthodox and use the code Unorthodox20 at checkout for a 20% discount.

From South Africa, Unorthodox Wines are perfect for the Passover seder, and a good companion during these most trying of times. Try the Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc or a Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux blend. All the wines are Mevushal and Kosher for Passover and certified kosher by the OU. Go to bit.ly/unorthodoxwine and get Unorthodox Wines delivered to your door. You can also purchase Unorthodox Wines at wine stores, which currently remain open in the Northeast, Missouri, Michigan, the Mid-Atlantic and Florida.

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Bonus: Havdalah in 60 Seconds Mar 28, 2020

Show notes

Producer Josh Kross goes deep into the Facebook group to make another Havdalah service to bring a little light into your Saturday night social distancing.

And, as always, if you want to keep up with all things Unorthodox, join our Facebook group here!

Shalom, friends. Stay well.

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

Bonus: An Unorthodox Kabbalat Shabbat for March 27 Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

On today’s Unorthodox dispatch, Liel prepares for a much-needed Shabbat with a joke by Columbia University professor Jeremy Dauber, an expert on Jewish humor, as well as a couple songs by Avi Wisnia, and a few timely words of wisdom from this week's parsha.

Avi Wisnia is an award-winning singer, songwriter, storyteller and educator based in Philadelphia. For more information visit www.aviwisnia.com or find him on social media @aviwisnia You can also stream and download all music at aviwisnia.bandcamp.com

And, as always, if you want to keep up with all things Unorthodox, join our Facebook group here!

Shalom, friends. Stay well.

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

Mimes of the Times: Ep. 221 Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

This week on Unorthodox, the hosts catch up from their home studios and discuss the latest News of the Jews in this strange new world.

Actor and writer Jesse Eisenberg returns to the show to discuss his two new movies out this week, Resistance and Vivarium. He tells us about playing a young Marcel Marceau saving Jewish children in France during the Holocaust in Resistance, and how Coronavirus shutdowns are affecting the movie industry. (You can watch Resistance on Video on Demand starting March 27.)

We’re going to continue dropping mini episodes in addition to our weekly Thursday episodes, so watch your podcast feeds for more (and subscribe on iTunes).

Our tour events for March and April 2020 have been postponed. Stay tuned for updates on rescheduled dates, and join our Facebook group to see much more of us, virtually, in the coming weeks.

Let us know what you think of the show! Email us at Unorthodox@tabletmag.com or leave a message at 914-570-4869.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more.

Follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram.

Get your Unorthodox T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baby onesies here.

Sponsors:

In this time of anxiety, Jewish-based mindfulness and meditation may the thing you need. Check out the Institute for Jewish Spirituality at Jewishspirituality.org/unorthodox and use the code unorthodox20 at checkout for a 20 percent discount.

Harry’s is a great shave at a great price. Get $5 off a Trial Set when you go to harrys.com/unorthodox.

Kol Foods is the organic kosher butcher offering delicious meats from animals raised using healthy, ethical, and sustainable methods. Kol has everything you need for the Passover Seder and beyond, delivered safely to your door. Go to Kol Foods.com and use coupon code Unorthodox3020 to get 10 percent off your order.

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

Bonus: Another Unorthodox Havdalah Mar 21, 2020

Show notes

Producer Josh Kross does another impromptu Havdalah service to bring a little light into your Saturday night social distancing.

And, as always, if you want to keep up with all things Unorthodox, join our Facebook group here!

Shalom, friends. Stay well.

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