2 Jews Talking

In our first international interview, we talk with Aviva Zimmerman in Tel Aviv about her controversial web series 'Avi Does The Holyland, the occupation, and Jewish comedy as a pathway to "tikkun olam".

Ok so we are on Passover break this week, and Erika told me it'd be cool if I played some of my signature BEATS by HELLER for our episode. This is kind of a techno mix but it goes a little experimental. Totally cool if it's not your thing, but if it is holler at me! So this is a jam that I did with Lumpee Le AKA Freddy Ruxpin a few weeks back. His brother let him use the notorious SH-101, which he found in a dumpster in Nagoya, Japan. I was getting those synth bass grooves from the Korg Volca Bass, those EPIC 808 kicks from the TR-8, and the synth lines from my dad's old CZ-101, which I hooked up to an SQ-1 sequencer. Also used my SP-404 sampler. I remixed it all in Ableton, so added a couple of new grooves, but all those textures are from the gear. Hope you enjoy! Chag Sameach! Find FreddyRuxpin here... https://soundcloud.com/freddyruxpin

Jenna Reback, host of the podcast Bad Jew Weekly joins us this week to discuss the spiritual side of being Jewish. This episode gets pretty deep — but we still manage to talk about Flava Flav and cat tropes. instagram.com/badjewweekly

We explore the Jewish and Chicano legacy of LA's Boyle Heights neighborhood with Shmuel Gonzales, the "Barrio Boychik".

This week we sit down with Josh's parents, Babette & Kenn, to talk about how Josh became so...Josh. We also explore the trope of the "Jewish Pioneer", as Josh's parents share what it was like to move to California in the early 60s. (Do not adjust your earbuds, you are definitely hearing the sound of a dog snoring throughout this episode.)

We sit down with former professional baseball player Josh Eichenstein of the Netanya Tigers to talk about his time in the Israeli Baseball League. Plus, Josh + Erika learn about Team Israel's performance in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (as understood through sports movies and pop culture references).

Official "Friend Of The Podcast" (and Jewish scholar) Rami Raff joins us once again to enlighten us to the MANY parallels between the story of Purim and our current political climate. Can you guess who our modern-day Haman is? Plus, if you're troubled by the rise in anti-semitism in America, Rami shares several things you can do right now to help. Follow Rami at @thesickness85 on Twitter.

This week we "Yemenite left" and "Yemenite right" with Israeli Dance experts Orly Star Setareh & Jason Goldman. We learn the history of the movement, dispel common misconceptions about Israeli dance, and you'll learn what it takes to get a choreographed line dance certified. Is Erika going to have TWO dance squads now? For more on Orly and Jason: dancewithorly.com @jgold85

This week our special guest is *drum roll* Erika's mom, Ilene Brooks! Learn about the origins of Erika's family and how growing up the product of two first-generation Americans (from two dramatically different upbringings) shaped Ilene's meaning of the word "family". We talk New York tenements, seltzer and the unbelievable story of how Ilene helped rescue her Aunt Ida from certain death. Plus, Josh finds out what Erika was really like as a child. You'll also learn how to play "Poop Or No Poop". But first, CALL YOUR MOTHER! *Josh gets the dirt on what Erika was like as a kid (2:52) *Ilene's parents growing up as children of immigrants (26:03) *On the importance of being a dutiful child (34:26) *On visiting Erika's great grandmother in her Lower East Side tenement (37:30) *The amazingly true tale of how Ilene and her sister Susan rescued Aunt Ida (48:05)

Josh and Erika record live from their 90s Bar Mitzvah & Dance Party at the Silverlake Independent JCC. We sit down with 90s B'nai Mitzvah experts Sarah Klegman (Challah Hub) & Maureen Grady. We talk 90s style, music, and tales from our own coming-of-age moments. Special thanks to REBOOT who provided a ReBar questionnaire about what life felt like at 13. If you want us to host a 90s Bar Mitzvah in your neighborhood, email us at 2jewstalking at gmail.com

What lengths would you go to in the pursuit of love? Would you climb a mountain? Watch MMA fighting? Get RE-CIRCUMCISED?Listeners-turned-guests Lisa + Brian have been through all three and share their love story on our most romantic episode to date. (Also, we talk about the Cerritos Auto Square jingle.) Lisa + Brian's blog devoted to MMA fighting: https://loveandcagefighting.wordpress.com

We sit down with Seth Smith of the Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance. The organization trains veterans to grow medicinal cannabis, a form of horticultural therapy, which is then donated to other veterans as an alternative form of medicine. We talk about the growing cannabis industry, legal hurdles and legislation, and our own personal stories (both positive + negative) with cannabis. This is an informative episode that hopes to illuminate the future of this plant. Seth's insta - https://www.instagram.com/sethfrederick/ SC Veterans Alliance -- https://scveteransalliance.com/ SCVA on Insta -- https://www.instagram.com/scveteransalliance/ In Mashable -- http://mashable.com/2016/04/04/veterans-cannabis-santa-cruz/

Wish you had a history or political science scholar's take on the current state of America? This week we're bringing you both. Class is in session as we chat with Chris Silver & Jon Blake about what history can and can't tell us about what Trump and his administration will mean for the US — and most importantly, what we should be doing about it. Suggested reading for this episode: http://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/1/3/14154300/fascist-populist-trump-democracy Take action! Find the phone number to your Member of the House by clicking here and CALL: http://usecalltoaction.com/

Daniel Rolnik, "the world's most adorable art critic" talks marriage, secular shabbats & how to democratize the art market even if you have an overbearing Jewish mother. Catch him on The Jew & The Lotus podcast (http://www.thejewandthelotus.com/) and across the Internet @danielrolnik.

Josh and Erika each share their thoughts on the year that was...and the year ahead. -Hear Josh's section starting at 01:11 -Hear Erika's section starting at 18:02 Tell us your take on 2016 or what you're hoping for in the New Year by emailing us at 2jewstalking at gmail dot com or tweet us @2jewstalking.

We sit down with experts in the Jewish tradition known as "The Deli". "Doctor Of Pastrami" Lara Rabinovitch (@laraeats) and Evan Bloom of Wise Sons deli in San Fransisco (wisesonsdeli.com) schmooze with us about the past, present and future of the Jewish deli. You'll learn the origins of your favorite deli foods, what makes a deli "legit" and why deli staff is always so mean. Recorded live at Genghis Cohen restaurant in Los Angeles.

We thought we knew a thing or two about Hanukkah — until Rami Raff schooled us in front of a live studio audience! You probably never realized just how revolutionary (and relevant) the Festival Of Lights really is. Plus we share our favorite Christmas songs, personal Hanukkah traditions, and answer whether a "Hanukkah Bush" is kosher or crossing the line.

In our special minisode we're discussing PTSD, empathy and how the simple act of listening can improve the world with playwright and psychologist Paula Caplan. She has a new show 'Shades' currently at the Cherry Lane Theatre Studio until December 17. (More info: http://www.cherrylanetheatre.org/onstage/shades/) Plus we'll be reading some very special listener email.

Jessie Rosen is a writer, performer, author and blogger — and the host of Sunday Night Sex Talks in Los Angeles. We chat about how performing can completely transform the way you write and how to blog about your marriage in a way that won't lead to divorce. *Liner notes: ~The book mentioned in this episode is What the Best Jewish Jokes Say About the Jews http://amzn.to/2gMWFSX ~The TV show mentioned is actually 'The Goldbergs', the documentary is 'Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg' and it was created and starred Gertrude Berg http://bit.ly/2gQmLTY

"I feel like I'm in an abusive relationship with America." "Professional Gay" Morgan Cohn joins the crew to talk about her ongoing fears for the LGBTQ community, and what how she expects Trump's presidency will effect any progress that has been made. She also discusses: *What it was like coming out as a teen in Florida, and advice for gay teens *The Pulse nightclub shootings *Being a LiveJournal celebrity *The need for Beyonce in dark times