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Artwork for The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
Jewish Identity
Cancer
Loss
Humor
The Safekeep
Community Support
Marjorie Morningstar
Holocaust
Literature
Cultural Understanding
The Little Prince
Viktor Frankl
Jackpot Summer
Antisemitism
Anti-Semitism
Empathy
Jewish Romance
Magical Meet Cute
Zionism
Ely Wiesel's Night

The Five Books celebrates the role of books in our lives. Each week we’ll talk with a Jewish author about five books in five categories. We’ll hear about: two Jewish books that have impacted the author’s Jewish identity; one book (not necessarily Jewish) that they think everyone should read - a book that changed their worldview. We’ll get a peek into what book they're reading now, and we’ll hear t... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes48Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
JudaismArtsReligion & SpiritualityBooks

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Artwork for The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

Latest Episodes

In this conversation, Jason Diamond unpacks what it means to be an American, Jewish, or Jewish-American author. We also discuss family secrets, Jewish gangsters, the humor and alienation of Franz Kafka, and how Art Spiegelman’s Maus taught Jason to a... more

In this episode, Sasha reflects on her childhood in Russia and Ukraine, including the moment she discovered her family was Jewish at a Purim celebration. Cut off from much of the Soviet Jewish experience under communism, Sasha also shares what she is... more

In this episode, we’ll hear Samantha reflect on her journey to preserve her Iraqi-Jewish heritage even as the language is disappearing from use. She shares how the hand work of cooking traditional recipes became a tangible way to pass culture to her ... more

In this episode, celebrated children’s book author, poet and memoirist Judith Viorst brings her irrepressible wit, humor, and insight to every age and stage of life. We talk about growing up, raising children, and living well - including the story of... more

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Recent Guests

Sasha Vasilyuk
Journalist and author of the debut novel Your Presence Is Mandatory
Episode: Sasha Vasilyuk on the Silences of the Soviet-Jewish Past
Judith Viorst
Author of several children's books and memoirs
Episode: Judith Viorst on Happiness, Agency, and the Art of Aging
Rabbi Yitz Greenberg
Rabbi, author, and influential thinker on Jewish theology and ethics
Episode: Rabbi Yitz Greenberg on Re-envisioning the Jewish Future
Jake Cohen
New York Times best-selling author and chef
Episode: Jake Cohen on the Magic of Gathering Around the Table
Sam Sussman
Author of the autobiographical novel Boy From the North Country
Episode: Sam Sussman on Bob Dylan and Being his Mother’s Son
Angela Buchdahl
Rabbi and author of Heart of a Stranger
Central Synagogue
Episode: Rabbi Angela Buchdahl on Finding Yourself in the Story
Kitty Zeldis
Author known for her exploration of Jewish identity in her works and her latest book, One of Them.
Episode: Kitty Zeldis On Passing and the Relief of Being “Kitty”
Ilana Kurshan
Author and translator, known for her works on Jewish literature and identity.
Author of "Children of the Book" and "If All the Seas Were Ink"
Episode: Ilana Kurshan on Books as Blueprints for Life
Sarah Hurwitz
Author and former senior speechwriter for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton
Episode: Sarah Hurwitz on Reclaiming Our Jewish Story

Host

Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
Host discussing various themes in Jewish literature, with a focus on personal narratives and cultural identity.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 69 ratings
  • Love this!

    Very educational and informative about my Judaism!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yaircohen123
    United States3 months ago
  • Kin

    I’m a practicing Episcopalian deeply interested the history and theology of my faith. I am in a single digit %age of Christians. Every worship service ion the Episcopal liturgy includes a reading from the Old Testament, the psalms and The New Testament. The “cultural Christians” are not well read. The Protestant style of religion is not well informed. We share history and styles

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NBerault
    United States5 months ago
  • Wonderful conversations and book recommendations!

    I’ve added so many books to my to-read list because of this podcast… And I hope one day to be a guest myself and join the ranks of these incredible Jewish writers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ohthewhomanity
    United States6 months ago
  • SheReaders Book Club

    This is so informative! The authors always feel so comfortable that they really open up and share. I love this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allbymyselfalone
    United States8 months ago
  • Thoughtful and approachable

    Love this podcast. It’s intellectual and thoughtful without being wonky or unnecessarily highfalutin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DeisCane
    United Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many feel the discussions are enlightening and enriching, enhancing their understanding of the authors' perspectives.
Audiences value the unique recommendations of books that resonate personally and culturally.
There is praise for how the podcast fosters a warm and inviting environment for discussion.
The quality of conversations is frequently highlighted, reflecting thoughtful engagement from guests and the host.
Listeners appreciate the deep educational insights into Jewish culture and identity.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#156
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#155
Brazil/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#197
Israel/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Samantha Ellis on Becoming a Keeper of Her Ancestral Language
Q: You write that language needs keepers, not just speakers. Can you tell us a little about what that means to you?
There are lots of speakers, but many aren't passing the language on to the next generation. Keepers are those who love the language, study it, and tell its stories, preserving it in ways beyond fluency.
Samantha Ellis on Becoming a Keeper of Her Ancestral Language
Q: Can you start a little bit with just how you would describe your book and how you came to write it?
It's a memoir really, about language and the culture of the Jews of Iraq, which is going extinct and my journey of preserving that.
Judith Viorst on Happiness, Agency, and the Art of Aging
Q: What made you want to revisit aging with a new perspective?
It is a different time of life and crucial decisions are made during these years, what defines one's approach to those years.
Judith Viorst on Happiness, Agency, and the Art of Aging
Q: What advice do you have for others who are in the last fifth of life to stay connected and feel seen?
Community and connection are crucial, and maintaining regular contact with friends through phone calls can help.
Rabbi Yitz Greenberg on Re-envisioning the Jewish Future
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your idea of what Tikkun Olam means and what this responsibility of Tikkun of repair looks like for us currently?
Rabbi Greenberg argues that Tikkun Olam is not merely a modern liberal concept, but rather a contemporary articulation of Messianism, suggesting that we can and should repair the world by addressing issues like hunger, poverty, and war.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the profound impact of literature on individual lives and cultural identity, focusing on the narratives and experiences of Jewish authors. Each episode features a guest who shares five significant books that have shaped their Jewish identity, worldview, and literary journey. The conversations delve into themes of community, tradition, and personal stories intertwined with the authors' latest works. Unique for highlighting diverse voices within the Jewish literary landscape, it aims to engage listeners in the exploration of what it means to read and write as a Jewish American today, making it appealing to those interested in literature, identity, and cultural discussions.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Identity/Crisis
2. For Heaven's Sake
3. What Matters Now
4. Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
5. Unholy: Two Jews on the News

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched a year ago and published 48 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Sasha Vasilyuk
2. Judith Viorst
3. Rabbi Yitz Greenberg
4. Jake Cohen
5. Sam Sussman
6. Angela Buchdahl
7. Kitty Zeldis
8. Ilana Kurshan

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