Wandering Jews: A Travel Podcast That Entertains & Informs

From the misty glens of Scotland to the hidden speakeasies of Prohibition America, Jews have shaped the story of whiskey in surprising ways. In this episode, we trace the historic roots of Jewish involvement in the global whiskey trade, uncover the families and fortunes behind the barrels, and ask a question that blends law and spirit: what blessing do you say over a glass of whiskey? And what famous fictional whiskey Jew was created by James Joyce?Lior Hochberg - a J2 tour educator and travel expert - will share her work as a volunteer and champion of a vocational school for women exiting prostitution and abuse. Her Academy is about empowerment and building expertise through vocational and life training. Listen to Lior and learn more about Her Academy at - https://www.heracademy.org.il/ Links for Additional Reading: The Forgotten History of Jews in the Alcohol Industry, Joel Haber, My Jewish LearningThe History Of Jewish Bootleggers, Leah Siesfeld And Heidi Siesfeld, St Louis LightFrom Bourbon to Bagels in Kentucky, Table Studios

In the Jezreel Valley, a 6th-century synagogue floor reveals a people rooted in their land, inscribing faith into stone. This episode explores how archaeology affirms Jewish indigeneity, why the Binding of Isaac still unsettles us, and what these ancient treasures whisper about return and belonging. Links for Additional Reading:The Beit Alpha Synagoge at Wellesley CollegeThe Beit Alpha Synagogue National ParkJewish Worship, Pagan Symbols, Walter Zanger, Biblical Archeological Society

In this episode of Wandering Jews, we journey to Budapest’s Dohany Synagogue, a stunning landmark that became the architectural blueprint for grand synagogues across Europe and the United States. Built in the Neo-Moorish style, the Dohany reflects a dual vision: a nostalgic nod to the Jewish Golden Age in medieval Spain and a bold architectural statement of Jewish modernity, pride, and belonging in 19th-century Europe. When is a building more than just a pile of bricks?Links for Additional readingTracing the History of Budapest’s Dohany Street Synagogue, Jewish Heritage Europe Moorish Style: Orientalism, the Jews, and Synagogue Architecture, Ivan Davidson KalmaThe Dohany Synagogue: History, Culture, and Sacred Rituals

In this episode of Wandering Jews, we visit the Galilee outpost of Tel Hai – the story of a battle that became legend, and the life and death of the pioneer activist Yosef Trumpeldor. The story of Tel Hai became a foundational myth of Israeli heroism, encapsulated in the phrase attributed to Trumpeldor, “It is good to die for our country.” We trace how this narrative shaped Zionist identity and military ethos and how, over time, it has been reexamined and debated by Israelis grappling with questions of nationalism, sacrifice, and the evolving meaning of heroism in a maturing society.Links for Additional readingYosef Trumpeldor, Tel Aviv StreetsThe Hidden American History of One of Zionism’s Foundational Battles: Tel HaiThe Secret Agreement That Shaped the Middle East, UnpackedKol Galgal – Lyrics in Hebrew and English (‘Something for the Road with Hillary Menkowitz)Kol Galgal – Spotify (‘Something for the Road with Hillary Menkowitz)

The Peres Center is more than just an interactive exhibition. It is a showcase and lab at the center of Israel’s hi-tech industry and innovation. Visiting the Peres Center inspires us to consider the ongoing relevancy of the vision of Shimon Peres and to grapple with the challenge posed by significant Israeli communities who remain under-represented in Israel’s start-up nation success. It also challenges us to ask – what does it mean to be a ‘pragmatic dreamer’ and work to build hope? Links for Additional ReadingThe Peres Center for Innovation and PeaceShimon Peres – A Biographical SketchEmployers On The Front Line: The Labor Market Put To The Test, Tasneem Na’ara, JPost

For many of us, a Yiddish phrase or word reminds us of parents and grandparents who may have not been Yiddish speakers but held on to a taste of Yiddish that they inherited from their own parents and grandparents. Even when visiting Warsaw – what was the largest Yiddish-speaking city in the world before 1939 – Yiddish is no longer the language of the streets and markets, synagogues and theaters. Yet, Yiddish is more than nostalgia. It was the linguistic home that generations of Eastern European Jews inhabited. We’ll take a deep dive and look at the place of Yiddish in the dreams and fears, the triumphs and defeats of a Jewish civilization now gone… But is it?Links for Additional ReadingYiddish Civilisation: The Rise and Fall of a Forgotten Nation, Paul KriwaczekLearn Popular Yiddish Words with Amy Walker!Yiddish is Making a Comeback, Robin Estrin, All Things Considered, NPR, 22 April 2025