Ashamed to Admit

The Jewish Independent

Are you ashamed to admit you're not across the big issues and events affecting Jews in Australia, Israel and around the Jewish world?

In this new podcast from online publication The Jewish Independent, Your Third Cousin Tami Sussman and TJI's Dashiel Lawrence tackle the week's 'Chewiest and Jewiest' topics.



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Episodes

Episode #26 What is the Orthodox Jewish stance on reproductive rights? With Nomi Kaltmann
Dec 2 2024
Episode #26 What is the Orthodox Jewish stance on reproductive rights? With Nomi Kaltmann
With women's reproductive rights in the United States looking more precarious in the wake of the Trump re-election, Tami and Dash explore Orthodoxy's stance on abortion, family planning, and IVF. Who better to turn to than Melbourne lawyer, Orthodox feminist, an ordained rabbi and mother of four (and soon to be five) Nomi Kaltmann. In this episode, Nomi introduces us to two seminal rabbinic figures Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg, and she takes us on a journey through the intersection of Jewish law, modern technology, and women’s autonomy. In doing so, Nomi challenges cultural taboos and reveals the surprisingly nuanced and pragmatic approaches that Orthodoxy and the law in Israel has taken to reproduction. Relevant articles:https://thejewishindependent.com.au/orthodox-law-sends-surprising-messages-about-reproductive-rightshttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/kosher-ivf-how-orthodox-couples-manage-fertility-treatmenthttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/my-path-to-becoming-an-orthodox-woman-rabbiEmail your feedback and voice memos here: ashamed@thejewishindependent.com.auSubscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.auTami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_writer_celebrant and dashiel_and_pascoeX: TJI_auYouTube: thejewishindependentAUFacebook: TheJewishIndependentAUInstagram: thejewishindependentLinkedIn: the-jewish-independent
Episode #18 Israel and Hezbollah on the brink, with content creator Elhanan Miller
Sep 30 2024
Episode #18 Israel and Hezbollah on the brink, with content creator Elhanan Miller
Are Israel and Hezbollah on the brink of an all-out war? We confront the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah with Arab affairs expert and content creator Elhanan Miller. Elhanan sheds light on Israel's recent intelligence and military actions, the influence of Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah (who was killed in the days after the episode was recorded), and the intricate ties between Hezbollah and Iran. Lastly, we explore the complex cultural and political landscape of Lebanon and its impact on the wider Arab world. Elhanan provides insights into the sectarian divisions and historical alliances that define Lebanon's political scene, examining the role of Maronite Christians and their historical ties to Israel. Despite ongoing turmoil, he shares a hopeful vision for future peace and the role of education in achieving it.Special thanks to Ivany Investment Group for sponsoring this episode: www.ivanyinvest.com.auArticles relevant to the issues discussed:  https://thejewishindependent.com.au/israelis-on-war-alert-lebanese-fleeing-their-homeshttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/was-the-pager-attack-sophisticated-targeting-a-war-crime-or-both-north-gazahttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/a-draining-duty-explaining-the-israeli-side-to-arab-mediahttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-future-three-options-remain-after-a-year-of-fightingIf you'd like to see Elhanan speak while he's in Australia:https://thejewishindependent.com.au/eventsEmail your feedback, questions, show ideas etc: ashamed@thejewishindependent.com.au(You can also email voice memos here).Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.auTami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_writer_celebrant and dashiel_and_pascoeX: TJI_auYouTube: thejewishindependentAUFacebook: TheJewishIndependentAUInstagram: thejewishindependentLinkedIn: the-jewish-independent
Episode #15 When There is Peace with Ittay Flescher
Sep 9 2024
Episode #15 When There is Peace with Ittay Flescher
Upon hearing the news of the murder of six Israelis who were held hostage in Gaza on Sept 1st, Jewish communities were thrust into mourning. Since then, it has been very difficult for many to speak about these deaths and it’s a rare gift to be able to communicate articulately while in the depths of grief. With his striking capacity for empathy and hope, TJI’s Jerusalem correspondent Ittay Flescher joined Tami and Dash to describe the despair many in Israel in the Jewish world feel. ‘The Holy and the Broken’ by Ittay Flescher is now available for pre-order at ittay.au It will be out in January 2025 in bookstores across Australia, published by HarperCollins.Ittay can also be found on social media at @ittay78 and on TJI where he writes a regular column from Jerusalem, imagining a different future for all Israelis and Palestinians. This episode's closing song by The Bashevis Singers (and thank you to the band for letting us use the song). Read more about Mistorim - Hidden Places.Other articles mentioned:https://thejewishindependent.com.au/is-the-philadelphi-corridor-really-worth-more-than-the-lives-of-the-hostageshttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/grief-and-blame-over-hamas-murder-of-six-hostageshttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/israelis-stand-together-to-alleviate-starvation-in-gazahttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/we-are-now-all-walking-around-with-an-invisible-tear-in-our-clothesEmail your feedback, questions, show ideas etc: ashamed@thejewishindependent.com.au(You can also email voice memos here)Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.auTami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_writer_celebrant and dashiel_and_pascoeX: TJI_auYouTube: thejewishindependentAUFacebook: TheJewishIndependentAUInstagram: thejewishindependentLinkedIn: the-jewish-independent
Episode #14 "American Jews are politically homeless" with journalist & editor Peter Savodnik
Sep 2 2024
Episode #14 "American Jews are politically homeless" with journalist & editor Peter Savodnik
The pageantry and ecstatic 'vibe' of last month's Democratic National Convention (DNC), in which Kamala Harris was certified the party's presidential nominee, belied a dark reality: American Jewish voters, once home among Democrats, are now politically homeless. That's the view of Peter Savodnik, a Washington-based journalist and senior editor for The Free Press. Peter reported on the DNC and the Republican National Convention (hello, Hulk Hogan and Kid Rock) and is increasingly troubled by what he sees on the left and the right. Tami and Dash caught up with Peter to get his take on the DNC, Harris's posture towards Israel and the war in Gaza, and an answer to a question that's been bugging Tami for weeks: what does Julia Louis-Dreyfus smell like? TJI articles relevant to this week’s episode: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/kamala-harris-declares-for-israel-and-palestinianshttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/tim-walzs-record-on-israel-holocaust-education-and-antisemitismhttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/which-us-president-will-be-better-for-the-palestinians-neitherhttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/what-a-jd-vance-vice-presidency-would-mean-for-american-jews-and-israelhttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/brisbane-poet-takes-out-inaugural-jewish-literary-prizeMore from Peter Savodnik:Peter Savodnik is senior editor at The Free Press. Previously, he wrote for Vanity Fair, as well as GQ, Harper’s, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Wired and other venues—reporting from the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, south Asia and across the United States. His book, The Interloper: Lee Harvey Oswald Inside the Soviet Union, was published in 2013. You can find his Presidential election coverage  and more at The Free Press. Email your feedback, questions, show ideas etc: ashamed@thejewishindependent.com.au(You can also email voice memos here)Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.auTami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_writer_celebrant and dashiel_and_pascoeX: TJI_auYouTube: thejewishindependentAUFacebook: TheJewishIndependentAUInstagram: thejewishindependentLinkedIn: the-jewish-independent
Episode #13 Ashamed of Nothing with David Baddiel
Aug 20 2024
Episode #13 Ashamed of Nothing with David Baddiel
British David Baddiel is a rare breed: a comedian, author, screenwriter and songwriter with an unflinching commitment to telling the truth. In his latest books, My Family and The God Desire, Baddiel shares his strange and dysfunctional upbringing and his private yearnings for the existence of a god and 'cosmic justice'. He's in Australia for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and joined ATA for a wide-ranging conversation about parenting, golfing memorabilia and antisemitism post-October 7. Plus, Tami shares her newfound admiration for Sydney-based klezmer outfit Chutney. And Dash dives into the nitty-gritty of Australian census data, revealing fascinating insights about the Jewish community's shifting demographics. TJI articles relevant to this week’s episode: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/quiz/tji-quizhttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/chutneys-debut-album-is-a-klezmer-tasting-jarhttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/melbournes-new-inclusive-klezmer-schoolMore from David Baddiel:See David speak at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas on Sunday, 25 August. Read My Family: The Memoir or The God Desire, or listen to A Muslim and a Jew Go There.  Email your feedback, questions, show ideas etc: ashamed@thejewishindependent.com.au(You can also email voice memos here)Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.auTami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_writer_celebrant and dashiel_and_pascoeX: TJI_auYouTube: thejewishindependentAUFacebook: TheJewishIndependentAUInstagram: thejewishindependentLinkedIn: the-jewish-independent
Episode #12 The bad man's assassination with Kylie Moore-Gilbert
Aug 12 2024
Episode #12 The bad man's assassination with Kylie Moore-Gilbert
In their second episode for Season 2, Tami asks esteemed academic, author and political scientist Kylie Moore-Gilbert to pretend to be her bat mitzvah teacher and explain Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination. “Like, who was the bad man and what’s going to happen now?”  etc. Plus Dash learns how to pronounce Aussie-Jewish Olympian Noémie Fox’s name. TJI articles relevant to this week’s episode: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/october-7-architect-yahya-sinwar-set-to-make-hamas-even-more-extremehttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/israel-braces-for-attack-as-iran-vows-punishment-for-haniyehs-deathhttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/hostage-nightmare-and-iran-crisis-revive-traumatic-memories-for-kyliehttps://thejewishindependent.com.au/noemie-fox-wins-kayak-gold-medal-jess-jumps-in-to-celebrateJCN Job: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/JewishClimateNetwork/head-of-communications-and-media-melbourne-sydneyKylie Moore-Gilbert’s Book: https://ultimopress.com.au/products/the-uncaged-skyEmail your feedback, questions, show ideas etc: ashamed@thejewishindependent.com.au(You can also email voice memos here)Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.auTami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_writer_celebrant and dashiel_and_pascoeX: TJI_auYouTube: thejewishindependentAUFacebook: TheJewishIndependentAUInstagram: thejewishindependentLinkedIn: the-jewish-independent