L.A. Jews celebrate Jewish Community Day at Dodger Stadium
L.A. Jews celebrate heritage and baseball on Jewish Community Day at Dodger Stadium.
The Big Bang Theory Set Is Now Open!
The sets of The Big Bang Theory are now part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood!
The Journal takes a visit to the actual sets including Apt 4A, The Elevator Foyer and Cal Tech Physics Lab Cafeteria plus props and original costumes worn by Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Johnny Galecki, Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch, Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg from the groundbreaking hit show.
Jewish Women Changing Los Angeles
Jewish Women Changing Los Angeles.
Being Deborah: A History of Jewish Women Creating Change in Los Angeles
Episode 142 - The Queer of Many Genders
Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast Episode 142 - The Queer of Many Genders
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This Friday the streets of Tel Aviv are going to be bustling with probably over a quarter of a million people. Why? One word says it all. Pride.
While we’re not at the top of the list, Tel Aviv boasts one of the world’s most impressive Pride Parades. Being situated in the heart of Middle East might have something to do with that.
But what is pride? What is it that attracts over 250 thousand people to march through the streets of Tel Aviv?
To many, this topic is still controversial. Not just the idea of non-hetero relationships, but also the institution of marriage, the roles and makeup of parenthood and the definition of gender itself.
Shirley Charlie Kleinman is an activist, a public speaker, a journalist and the Bis Dev manager at LGBTech which is a non for profit which facilitates a social business network for the LGBTQ community in the tech industry. Shirley Charlie also advocates for the community on various media platforms and outlets.
We’re very excited to have Shirley Charlie on the podcast today to talk about their life story and to enlighten us a bit about what pride really is.
/podcast/episode-142/
Nice Jewish Queers Take on LA Pride!
JQ International celebrates the LGBTQ community at 2019 L.A. Pride Parade
Episode 141 – Six Time World Champion in Samba
Two Nice Jewish Boys Episode 141 – Six Time World Champion in Samba
***
People have been dancing more or less since the dawn of mankind.
Some people were born with the dancing gene. Others are so clumsy that they avoid the dance floor at all costs, even if it means the bride will do her first dance with her grandpa.
Alyssa Chirqui is the former.
She’s a world champion of Salsa and Samba. She’s been dancing her whole life, first in Australia where she was born, and now here in Israel. We’re super thrilled to have her on the show and discuss, among other things, how does one actually move, like Jagger.
Moments of Goodness: Students and Holocaust Survivors Meet.
The Real Indiana Jones and Israel's Buried Treasures
Episode 140 – The Real Indiana Jones and Israel’s Buried Treasures
***
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg are undoubtedly two of the 20th century’s best and most influential directors and screenwriters. Rarely did these two collaborate, but the first time they did, they brought to life one of the greatest adventure series of all time – Indiana Jones.
What is it that draws us to Indiana Jones and his archaeological adventures? Is it the quest for hidden treasures? Is it the thrill of uncovering the secrets of our long lost past? Or is it the ridiculously life-threatening situations into which he inevitably stumbles? Probably all of the above. And more.
But for some people, watching Indiana Jones isn’t enough. Jim Barfield is a firefighter and a criminal investigator from Oklahoma, with a passion for the bible, and a fascination with the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the Copper Scroll, which unlike the other dead sea scrolls, is not a literary work, but rather a list of places. But not just random places, places where supposedly, buried in the ground are various items of gold and silver. In other words, a bonafide treasure map.
So in a sense, today on the podcast we’re joined by a real life Indiana Jones. Here to tell us the story of the Copper Scroll is Jim Barfield.
Episode 139 – The Neo-Nazi Who Converted to Judaism
Today we’re joined on the podcast by Yonatan Langer. But Yonatan’s name wasn’t always Yonatan. It used to be Lutz. And Lutz used to be an ardent Neo Nazi.
Today Yonatan is an observant, orthodox Jew who lives in Israel and studies Kaballah, the Jewish Mystical school of thought.
The road that led from Lutz to Yonatan was a long one. But before all that, the story begins with a kids Karate instructor.
We’re really excited to have Yonatan on 2NJB today to tell his story.
The Kabbalah Centre
@yYonatan Lutz Langer
Interview with star of Golda's Balcony, Tovah Feldshuh
Israel Philharmonic's acclaimed Arab-Jewish ensemble
Sesh Besh toured the U.S. this year with performances at American University and AIPAC in Washington D.C., then headed to the West Coast
for concerts at Google, Salesforce East and Beth Jacob Congregation in Los Angeles. More information about the Ensemble can be found here:
afipo.org/shesh-besh-in-america/
Episode 138 - Iddo Netanyahu: Playwright, Doctor, Warrior
Episode 138 - Iddo Netanyahu: Playwright, Doctor, Warrior
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Every doctor needs a baker to bake his bread. Every baker enjoys the occasional movie. When the filmmaker's car breaks down, he visits the mechanic, and when then mechanic breaks down he visits the doctor. This is the story of the modern world. But the thing is, each character in this story envies the other a little, the mechanic wishes he could bake cakes. The filmmaker disappointed his mother because he never became a doctor (true story). And the doctor? He was always, deep inside, an inspired artist.
It’s seldom that someone manages to enjoy both worlds, maintaining a flourishing career on one hand, and making a living from his passion or hobby on the other. But such is the case with Dr. Iddo Netanyahu.
Dr. Netanyahu is the third and youngest son of Zila and Prof. Ben Zion Netanyahu, brother of the belated Yoni Netanyahu, hero of Entebbe, and of The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. He grew up between Israel and America, joined the army, served, as Netanyahus tend to, in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, and then studied medicine and became a doctor of Radiology.
In parallel, he’s been maintaining another career as a writer. He’s authored several books that have been translated into many languages, and in recent years he’s published several plays which have showcased around the world. We’re proud and excited to have Dr. Iddo Netanyahu on the show today.
Many Voices One Prayer
In response to the growing white supremacy in America, faith leaders have taken to social media to resist hate and bigotry with prayer.
Portraits Of Hope - Shaping L.A.
Brothers Ed and Bernie Massey offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to pull off a massive public art installation in Downtown Los Angeles.
Portraits of Hope #shapingla #portraitsofhope #dtla #publicart #civicengagement #murals #streetart #painting #urbanart #edmassey #vistapaint
Episode 136 – Should There Be Jews?
As Jews, both in Israel and in other parts of the world, we tend to go about our day-to-day lives worrying about the regular issues of our existence, like how to pay the bills at the end of the month, which Game of Thrones watch party to attend and of course the eternal Papa John’s or Dominos dilemma. But not many of us stop this daily struggle with first-world problems to contemplate on the deeper questions that may lurk in our subconscious, like what is our place as Jews in Israel, or in America? What does it even mean to be Jewish in the 21st century? And what does the future hold for us as a religion and as a people?
Luckily for us, some people do try to tackle these mind-boggling question, thus clearing a path for an important discussion. One of the people who do that is Tal Keinan, an extremely successful businessman, investor and social entrepreneur, author of the recently published book God is in the Crowd.
Tal Keinan was born in America, and when he was 21 he decided to move to Israel and join the IDF. He became the first Oleh combat pilot, and he still serves as a reservist in the IAF. Tal is one of the founders of Clarity Capital, Israel’s first full-spectrum asset management firm. Tal also does social activism. He is the Chairman of Koret Israel Economic Development Funds, an NGO that gives credit to small businesses.
2NJB is thrilled to have Tal Keinan on the show today.
Debra Eckerling's Jewish Bucket List. Episode Four: Kosher Kitchen
Contributing writer Debra Eckerling stopped by Charcoal Grill & Bar to create delicious and simple Kosher recipes with L.A. Chef Lenny Nour. #charcoalgrillandbar #JewishBucketList Leonardo Nourafchan
This week, Maxwell House released The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Haggadah. We bought two. Here to kvell and kvetch about it are digital team duo Shoshana Lewin Fischer and Erin Ben-Moche.
Frank Gehry
Architect Frank Gehry offers a behind-the-scenes look of the World's Jewish Museum in Tel Aviv.
Debra Eckerling's 2019 Jewish Bucket List: Episode Three - Challahbration
Debra Eckerling's 2019 Jewish Bucket List: Episode Three - Challahbration - Debra Eckerling checks one more thing off her bucket list, Challah!
Episode 132 - What Does God Want From Yehudah Glick?
Episode 132 - What Does God Want From Yehudah Glick?
***
Why did God strike Job time and time again? Was it because he wanted to win a bet with Satan? Or maybe it was a test for Job’s faith? Or maybe there is no earthly reason why, and we, humans, are doomed to suffer through life’s agonies with the notion that we will never understand God’s intentions. But then, how do we go on? Where do we gather the strength from?
When you think about Yehuda Glick’s life story, you can’t help but wonder what his answers to these questions might be. Yehuda was born in the US and made Aliyah in 1974. For decades he was involved in politics and social activism, and he devoted many years from his life to the struggle of Jewish access for prayer on the Temple Mount.
But Glick’s life has take quite a few twists and turns in recent years. Since 2014 he survived an assassination attempt, he became a Knesset member, he was widowed from his wife, and recently he lost in the Primaries for the next Knesset.
So what does God want from Yehuda Glick? Since we weren’t able to book the Almighty himself, we have the next best person to answer this question, Knesset Member Yehuda Glick.
@יהודה גליק - Yehudah Glick
Koolulam at AIPAC
18,000 people learned an original @Koolקולולם - Koolulam Koolulam DC song at @AIPAC in 20 minutes. Sung simultaneously with people in Jerusalem. #AIPAC2019.
The Milky Way Restaurant
Enjoy a special visit to the Milky Way Restaurant. Milky Way LA
PaleyFest LA 2019
The Jewish Journal attended The Paley Center for Media 2019 PaleyFest LA to chat with the cast of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Grace and Frankie. Watch your favorite tribe members discuss their show highlights, characters and Purim!
Episode 131 - The One State Solution
Episode 131 - The One State Solution
***
Here on the Two Nice Jewish Boys podcast, we’ve recorded episodes with authors, we’ve done an episode about the discovery of THC, we did one about the navigation system within bats and one about the fraudulent binary options industry. But one subject seems to be, without intent, a recurring theme. It’s not hard to guess which one, either. I suppose it just goes to show, how ingrained it is in the Israeli psyche. That is, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
And it seems that every episode we do, every guest we bring to speak about this topic, has another view point. As the saying goes, two Jews, three opinions.
But regardless, however many opinions there might be, one thing seems constant. At least, so far. The conflict doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. But is there anything we can do in the meantime? Some people think that separation, walls, borders and retreats are the solution to reach peace in the area. But for others, the way to go about it, is by building - not settlements - but human relations.
At least that was the notion that led Inon Dan Kehati to innovate and seek for new ways to approach the problem. Instead of looking at the macro level, he chose to look at the micro, and to build connections between people, in the hope that in the future, peace will pursue. And that’s exactly what he’s doing with his non for profit organization, The Home.
We’re really excited to have Inon with us on the podcast today.
The Right Wing Israeli Arab that Fights for Gay Rights
Being an Arab living in Israel brings about many dilemmas, internal conflicts and possibly a very serious identity crisis. While some Israeli Arabs prosper, man other Arabs are living in Gaza in debilitating poverty, and suffering under the brutal, murderous dictatorship of Hamas.
Most most Israeli Arabs support the Joint List of Arab parties, a minority actually support right-wing, Zionist parties like the Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu’s party.
Some Israeli Arabs work in industrial areas in the occupied territories, whereas others support the BDS movement that does everything within its power to shut down the very same industrial areas, rendering thousands of Palestinians jobless.
Anyway, you get the point. Being an Arab Israeli is complicated. And now imagine what it means to be an Arab Israeli fighting BDS around the world, a supporter of Zionism, and a son of an ex-South Lebanon Army general who fled to Israel in the year 2000.
Jonathan Elkoury was one of our first guests, in episode 21 titled 2001: A Lebanese Odyssey with Jonathan Elkhoury. If you wanna hear Jonathan’s story, you gotta check it out. Now, two years later he’s back to talk about his courageous journeys defending Israel’s right to exist, his political and personal struggles here in Israel, and yes, also the nation state bill.
We’re very honored to be joined today by Jonathan Elkoury.
Episode 128 – Master Chef of Israeli Food
Two Nice Jewish Boys Episode 128 – Master Chef of Israeli Food
***
In recent years, Israeli cuisine has been on the rise, becoming extremely popular throughout Europe and the United States. This has many people asking themselves, perhaps rightfully so, “what the hell is Israeli cuisine?” Some critical voices even claim that many of the wonderful dishes Israel is claiming as its “own” are actually stolen – which, of course, echoes a longer, deeper controversy that has plagued the Middle East for about a century. In a way, you might say Israeli food is the Arab-Israeli conflict in a plate.
But regardless, Israeli restaurants keep opening their doors on street corner in almost every big American city. Lines of clientele stretch around the block and lines of praise stretch across the food critics’ reviews.
Michael Solomonov is an Israeli-American chef, renowned for his critically-acclaimed Israeli Restaurant, Zahav, in Philadelphia. He’s the winner of several James Beard awards including Best Chef Mid-Atlantic in 2011, Cookbook of the Year in 2016, and Outstanding Chef in 2017. His cookbook Zahav: A World of Israeli Cuisine is a huge bestseller. Fortunately for us Mike is now touring Israel and was gracious enough to let us interview him here in Tel Aviv. We are honored, we’re extremely thrilled and we can’t wait to get started. So, let’s get to it!
Debra Eckerling's 2019 Jewish Bucket List: Episode Two - The Miracle Project
LIVE EPISODE: Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast - Hananya Naftali, The Voice of Israel
***
Have questions for Hananya? Write them in the comments.
Canter's Deli
Go behind the counter for a taste of what makes Canter's.....Canter's.
Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast LIVE! The Grandson of a Nazi who Volunteers with Holocaust Survivors in Israel
The Hungarian TV Megastar Who Bought a 100 Year Old Jewish Newspaper
Episode 125 – The Hungarian TV Megastar Who Bought a 100 Year Old Jewish Newspaper with Kristóf Joseph Steiner
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0xCVSQLsovY2GOT2Y649Fp?si=sQYto5hUSwCMgiBBVCXN_w
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-nice-jewish-boys/id1161238018
***
Just a couple of weeks ago we commemorated the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and the entire western world mourned for the 6 million souls that perished. But what is often missed is the fact, that the Nazis didn’t only murder the people, they murdered whole parts of the Jewish culture that thrived in Europe for many centuries. They destroyed hundreds of newspapers and obliterated whole libraries. They murdered a language, Yiddish.
And indeed, before World War II, Jewish culture in Europe was extremely vibrant, with an endless stream of theater, books and newspapers. Literally hundreds of newspapers were published throughout Europe and America, in Yiddish, Hebrew and the local languages. The people of the book were obviously obsessed with ink and paper, and it showed. Most of these publishings didn’t make it through the war, but some survived. One of those was Új Kelet, a Hungarian-Romanian newspaper founded 100 years ago.
The history of this paper is a long one, but the interesting part is how the paper nearly went bankrupt a few years back. Right when Kristof Steiner entered the story.
Kristof is a Hungarian, part-Jewish model and TV celebrity. He’s been living in Israel for the past ten years and when he heard about the state of Új Kelet, he decided he simply couldn’t let the paper die. What happened next is absolutely incredible. We’re proud to have Kristof Steiner here on the podcast to tell the story.
IDF Humanitarian Attache Fighting BDS
A few weeks ago we received this email:
“Would you be interested to hear about how to survive aliyah, make it through the IDF as a Lt. Col., have the door slammed in your face, have people stand on your shoulders when you remove money from the cash machine, and peak over your shoulder at the pharmacists to see what types of medication you use, and much more… then we should talk. I do have a crazy life story and look forward to sharing it with you and your podcast audience.”
We took the bait.
Daniel Beaudoin (PhD, Lt. Col. Ret) is a speaker, educator and writer from Israel. He offers incisive and behind the scenes analysis on the assault on Israel by the UN and the international aid organizations who operate in the West Bank and the Gaza strip. He teaches on human rights, humanitarian operations and conflict resolution at Tel Aviv University. He is also a successful survivor of Aliyah and lives to tell the story.
“Mary Poppins Returns” composer Marc Shaiman scored Oscar nominations in the Best Score and the Best Song categories
The man behind the music: Mary Poppins Returns composer - and The Academy Award nominee Marc Shaiman
MLK Day Special: Prof. Ephraim Issac, Peacemaker
Two Nice Jewish Boys Podcast - MLK Day Special: Prof. Ephraim Issac, Peacemaker
Most American or European high school students know about the American Civil War, the Holocaust or even the French Revolution. Most don’t know about the 30 years of civil war that ravaged the horn of Africa in the latter part of the last century – conflicts that together claimed the lives of over a million Africans.
Much of these conflicts were inner war within Ethiopia, but the greater conflict extended beyond.
In 1991, finally peace came to the region much thanks to the ad hoc Peace committee founded by Prof. Ephraim Issac.
Prof. Issac’s accomplishments are too numerous to list and his life story too great to paraphrase but suffice it to say that he was the first African Studies professor in the United States at Harvard University and he had the privilege of meeting Martin Luther King Jr.
So without further ado, we are thrilled to be joined tonight by Prof. Ephraim Issac.
Camp JCA Shalom: New Year of the Trees
Ryan Torok takes a walk through the Shalom Institute's Camp JCA Shalom with Executive Director Bill Kaplan -- and looks at the opportunities for its rebirth after the fires.
WHAT'S YOUR DREAM?
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we went to Hollywood Blvd and asked people “What’s your dream?”
Share your own dream in the comments! #whatsyourdream
Dr. Michael Oren: 4 Years in Government
Episode 122 - Dr. Michael Oren: 4 Years in Government
מייקל אורן Michael Oren
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/two-nice-jewish-boys/id1161238018
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0xCVSQLsovY2GOT2Y649Fp
***
Israel is headed to elections. On April 9th, Israelis will be called to the ballot box to support their political party. Bibi, the incumbent prime minister, is once again asking for Israelis trust and support.
With tensions rising along the border with Syria and Gaza, and internal pressure building up between the left and the right here at home, this election is bound to be dramatic.
In an attempt to understand the upcoming elections, the players and the current state of affairs, we’re joined by Deputy Minister Michael Oren, who by now, we’re happy to say, is a regular on the podcast.
Dr. Michael Oren is a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's office, Member of Knesset in the Kulanu Party and he served as the Israeli ambassador to the United States in the years 2009-2013. In a previous life, Oren also taught history as visiting professor at Harvard, Yale and Georgetown. He is the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction, which we’ve discuss here on the podcast. We are honored to be joined by Deputy Minister Oren to discuss what’s in store for Israel and for him.
Golden Globes 2019 Press Room
We're in the press room at the Golden Globes with Rachel Brosnahan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Michael Douglas and the team from The Kominsky Method, and Justin Hurwitz of First Man.
Your go-to source for Jewish news, opinion and entertainment in L.A., the U.S., Israel and around the world -- everyday 
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