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Wandering Jews: A Travel Podcast That Entertains & Informs
David Ben Gurion’s Negev: Israel’s Now-Blossoming, No-Longer-Forgotten, Backyard
In this episode, we uncover the remarkable life and legacy of David Ben Gurion, a towering figure in Israeli history whose visionary leadership continues to shape
the nation to this day. From his humble beginnings to his pivotal role in founding the State of Israel, we explore his incredible achievements. We also reflect on Ben
Gurion's profound vision for the Negev, Israel's once "forgotten backyard," that is now flourishing but still faces ongoing challenges as we strive to perpetuate his
vision and commitment.
In “something for the road,” Shira Kleinman, J2’s Tour Educator and Senior Project Manager, shares her favorite Israeli radio station and her favorite Israeli artist.
Links for further reading:
The Vision Of David Ben Gurion In 2024 - I24News
Ben-Gurion: Father of Modern Israel – A Book Review - Fathom
David Ben-Gurion – The Man and His Legacy - Ruth Levush, The Library of Congress
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Find more at j2adventures.com
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8. Herstory: Jewish Women of Berlin
26:23||Season 1, Ep. 8The streets and parks and monuments of Berlin reveal all kinds of Jewish stories – including those of women who were pioneers and innovators in a vast breadth of fields. Join us to hear about their stories as we return ‘herstory’ to Jewish history as we walk Berlin.Links for further reading:The Literary Salons Of Berlin Petra Wilhelmy-Dollinger traces the history of Berlin’s salon culture from the 18th-20th century…Hannah Arendt Stephen J. Whitfield tells the story of one of the leading intellectuals of the Twentieth Century.As a Burning Flame: The Dream of Regina Jonas by Noa Mishkin A graphic novel exploring the life and impact of the first female ordained rabbi in Ashkenazi Jewish history.Wandering Jews - Famous Jewish Women – A Google Map A number of sites in Berlin connected with famous Jewish women who have played key roles in writing the history of Berlin and the Jewish 'herstory' in modern times. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!7. The People of the Book: Israel’s National Library
30:34||Season 1, Ep. 7A library is often seen as a quiet space, but Israel’s National Library defies that stereotype. It is a vibrant space that not only highlights the role of books in the centuries-old Jewish story but also shines a light on Jewish identity and resilience. Join us for a glimpse into this dynamic setting and explore the questions it raises about the People of the Book in our time.Links for further reading:The National Library of IsraelStories from the Israel National Library on Google Arts and CultureThe Cultural Revolution at the National Library of Israel by Ruth EbensteinFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!6. A Never-Ending Journey: Uncovering Family Roots With David Magen
17:12||Season 1, Ep. 6David Magen set out on a journey to uncover his family’s history. His journey spans continents, from the historic cities of Vienna and Prague to the bustling streets of Shanghai, the serene Isle of Man, and the heart of Israel. David’s dedication to tracing his family tree is not only inspiring but also highlights the intimate connections between personal histories and the broader tapestry of the history of the Jewish people. David’s excitement and commitment invites each one of us to take a journey into our own family history and memory.Links and resources:MyHeritage.com Family Tree BuilderAncestry.com The world's largest collection of online family history recordsJewishGen.org The global home for Jewish genealogyFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!5. The Country As Your Classroom: The Hike – the Tiyul – and Israel’s Culture of Connection
27:44||Season 1, Ep. 5Few peoples traverse their homeland as Israelis do. The hike, or tiyul, is integral to the narrative of a people returning from exile, yearning to reconnect with their land. In this episode, we delve into the tiyul as a key aspect of Israel’s tradition of knowing the land, “Yediat Ha’Aretz,” and explore the profound connections between walking and memory. Links for further readings:Hiking in Israel: Why Are These Trails Different? Shay Rabineau, AJS Perspectives – The Magazine of the Association of Jewish StudiesFrom Backpacks To Trailblazers: A Visual History Of Hiking In Israel Gilad Carmeli, Ynetnews.com. 20 April 2023 The Israel National TrailFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!4. If Walls Could Talk: Exploring Ezrat Yisrael, the Kotel’s Egalitarian Enclave
21:35||Season 1, Ep. 4Join us for a captivating exploration of Jerusalem's Western Wall, originally a retaining wall of the Temple Mount and today one of Judaism’s holiest sites, acting as a magnet for Jews and non-Jews alike from across the globe. We will be zooming in on Ezrat Yisrael, the egalitarian section that symbolizes the ongoing quest for inclusivity at this sacred site. Sorelle shares her personal journey, finding solace and connection amidst the ancient stones of the Kotel, while Scott describes the profound impact of Ezrat Yisrael on J2’s groups. Through poignant narratives, we uncover the complexities of the Kotel's role as a unifying and/or divisive force for all Jews, highlighting the challenges and aspirations of creating a space that truly belongs to all.In today’s “something for the road,” J2‘s Rivka Brama, Head of Content and a Jerusalemite herself, shares her favorite place to hang out in Jerusalem’s city center.Links for further reading:How the Western Wall Became One of Judaism’s Holiest Sites: When and how did Jews begin praying at the Western Wall? Amit Naor, The Israel National LibraryWelcoming Israel: A Blessing for New Jews: A Visit to Azrat Yisrael - Scott Copeland, Times of IsraelEqual Access For All Jews at the Western Wall - Israel Religious Action CommitteeFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Find more at j2adventures.com3. The Golem of Prague (and Rehovot): Mystery, Marvels, and Modern AI
21:11||Season 1, Ep. 3Today we're embarking on a thrilling journey into the timeless legend of the Golem of Prague and its contemporary counterpart, the Golem of Rehovot. Along the way, we'll traverse through the captivating realms of graphic novels, cinematic masterpieces, and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. Sorelle recounts her mesmerizing encounter with the Golem of Rehovot at the prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science. Along the way, we confront profound questions surrounding control and Jewish power and responsibility from the vantage point of AI, contemporary technology, and the ongoing Hamas-Israel war.In our “Something for the Road,” J2‘s very own Yoni Millo shares his favorite Israeli book – which can also be enjoyed as a movie!Links for further reading:The Golem of Prague & The Golem of Rehovoth - Gershom Scholem, Commentary Magazine, January 1966The Maharal’s Robot - Ro OranimGolem - Jay Michaelson, My Jewish LearningThe Golem - Y.L. PeretzFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Find more at j2adventures.com2. One Degree of Separation: Tel Aviv's Hostages Square
28:19||Season 1, Ep. 2In this episode, Sorelle visits Hostages Square in Tel Aviv for the first time, sharing her perspective as an Israeli. We explore the crisis's impact on daily life in Israel, from bumper stickers to posters, and discuss the private versus collective pain felt during this year’s Jewish holidays. The episode touches on the tradition of pidyon shvuyim (redeeming captives) and global prayers, showcasing civilian resilience and hope. May all our brothers and sisters be returned safely from captivity.On a lighter note, in today’s “something for the road,” Rabbi Don Goor, J2’s rabbinic liaison, shares his favorite Tel Aviv restaurant.Links for further reading:Redemption of Captives – Jewish Sources - Sefaria - A Living Library of TorahBring Them Home Now - The Hostages ForumA Majority of Jewish Israelis See a Hostage Deal as a Higher National Priority Than Military Action in Rafah - Israel Democracy InstituteFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Find more at j2adventures.comWelcome to Wandering Jews: Travel the world and discover yourself
01:08||Season 1Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Find more at j2adventures.com