Shebrew in the City

We trace Keren’s journey from Israel to LA, how immigration shaped her mental health path, and why depth psychology offers tools to understand intergenerational trauma and rising antisemitism. We share practical advice for finding a safe therapist and for turning inherited pain into resilience.• Soviet Jewish roots, Israeli childhood, move to Los Angeles• Immigration stress as trauma and its lifelong echoes• Shift from pre-med to psychology and LMFT licensure• Why depth psychology goes beyond symptom management• Dissertation on Soviet antisemitism and cultural complexes• Epigenetic and social transmission of intergenerational trauma• Therapy for antisemitism after 10–7 and need for validation• How to choose a culturally competent therapist• Parenting with resilience and repairing family narratives• Balancing practice growth, PhD work, and motherhood• Keren’s integrative approach: psychodynamic, EMDR, creative tools• Access, supervision, and building a boutique group practiceYou can find Keren at her practice in Los Angeles, California through her website https://sunraypsychotherapy.com/Visit our sponsor topdogtours.com to book your walking tour today and check them out on social media for offers, discounts, and picturesPlease be sure to follow on Instagram as well as my personal Instagram, which is Shebrew in the CityTopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Ever felt the tug to make something you can’t find on the shelf? We sit down with attorney and mom-creator Courtney Cohen, whose Florida-to-Chicago journey led her to build a joyful Jewish lifestyle brand from a single sticker into a growing catalog of hats, tees, totes, and more. The throughline is Jewish joy—captured in weekly challah, kids who treat stickers like art supplies, and designs that turn bagels and Yiddish into everyday style.Courtney walks us through her unconventional path: eight years in PR, a leap to law, then the itch to create fun, modern Judaica, Da Shayna Punims, that isn’t only for holidays or display cases. She shares how starting without a formal business plan forced fast learning, why bringing embroidery and printing in-house changed quality and timelines, and how she prototypes obsessively—auditioning fonts, testing placements, and refining until the piece feels right. We talk candidly about marketing in the age of algorithms, from TikTok’s vibrant Jewish corners to the bizarre reality of bots dropping geopolitics into soup videos, and why focusing on real community beats chasing viral spikes.The conversation widens into representation and culture: the promise and pitfalls of Hanukkah movies, choosing Jewish actors for Jewish stories, and the simple rituals that anchor identity when the world feels loud. Courtney’s big dream? Thoughtful expansion—dishware with a Kate Spade vibe, espresso cups with bagel wit, and traveling to markets like Jewish Joy Con to meet the people who wear and gift her work. Along the way, you’ll hear lightning-round favorites, from beloved Yiddish words to the holiday that makes everything feel cozy.If you care about creative entrepreneurship, Jewish small business, and the craft behind products that make daily life brighter, this one’s for you. Listen, share with a friend who loves bagels and good fonts, and tell us: what does Jewish joy look like in your home? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more curious listeners find the show.TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Rabbi-Cantor Judy Greenfeld's spiritual journey began with tragedy when her father was murdered when she was just sixteen years old. This devastating event caused her to question everything about Judaism and God, leading her away from her conservative Jewish upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio. "I think when we have trauma in our lives, it shifts us into seeing the world in a different way," she reflects.Her path of healing took her through various spiritual traditions – Buddhism, new age philosophies, psychology – before ultimately returning to Judaism with fresh eyes and an expanded perspective. What makes her story so compelling is how she's woven these seemingly disparate threads into a coherent tapestry that honors traditional Jewish wisdom while embracing more expansive spiritual concepts like dreamwork, feminine energy, and embodied prayer practices. The most fascinating aspects of Rabbi-Cantor Judy's approach emerge in her discussion of dreams and Jewish mysticism. She explains how ancient Jewish texts recognized dreams as containing "one-sixtieth of prophecy" and how our souls travel during sleep – concepts that parallel Native American dream traditions she studied extensively. Her books connecting Jewish prayer with spiritual practices have helped countless seekers find meaning within Judaism that they couldn't access through conventional teaching methods.As both rabbi and cantor, she's witnessed tremendous evolution within Judaism – especially regarding women's roles. From a time when women couldn't have bat mitzvahs on Saturdays to today's landscape where female clergy are increasingly common, she celebrates how Judaism continues to adapt while maintaining its core essence. Now leading a Texas congregation healing from a traumatic hostage situation, she brings her unique combination of traditional knowledge and spiritual innovation to a community in need of both stability and renewal.Whether you're struggling with faith after trauma, curious about the intersection of different spiritual traditions, or seeking a more meaningful connection to Jewish practice, Rabbi-Cantor Judy offers wisdom that transcends religious boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Subscribe now to hear her powerful insights on healing, spirituality, and finding authentic connection in challenging times.TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

What happens when an art historian discovers Nazi memorabilia being sold at auction houses without ethical consideration? For Beatrice Levine, it sparked a journey that would transform her career and personal identity.Growing up as a military child in Germany during the 1990s, Beatrice developed a natural curiosity about Holocaust history and her own Jewish heritage. Though her father was ethnically Jewish, her family practiced the cultural aspects rather than religious observance – what Beatrice colorfully describes as "that East Coast big, lox-loving Jewish family" where everyone watched Seinfeld and said "oy" but didn't attend synagogue. This early exposure to German history planted seeds that would later bloom in unexpected ways.After pursuing art history and landing positions at prestigious auction houses, Beatrice witnessed disturbing practices surrounding Nazi artifacts and potentially looted artwork. The auction world's casual approach to selling items like Hermann Göring's weapons and Nazi tableware created what she calls "a queasy feeling" that eventually led her to specialize in provenance research – tracking the ownership history of artworks to identify those stolen during the Holocaust. The resistance she encountered when raising ethical concerns revealed how deeply rooted these problems were in the art world.When academic institutions pushed back against her research focus, Beatrice found her way to specialized Holocaust studies programs, ultimately pursuing a PhD focused on these ethical questions. Perhaps most remarkably, she formally converted to Judaism in 2023, completing her Mikvah ceremony just one month after the October 7 attacks – a decision that speaks volumes about her commitment to this path.Today, Beatrice balances serious academic work with a lighthearted approach to art history on her popular social media accounts. Her "Culture Quota" Instagram follows her mantra of providing "safe spaces" where people can enjoy art and culture as a respite from constant heaviness, while still occasionally addressing serious historical topics.Whether discussing the ethical dilemmas of inherited Nazi artifacts or sharing her favorite Real Housewives moments, Beatrice brings authenticity and depth to every conversation. Her story reminds us that confronting difficult history isn't just an academic exercise – it's deeply personal work that can transform both individual lives and our collective understanding of the past.What artifacts from difficult periods of history do you have questions about? Join the conversation and let us know how you navigate these complex ethical waters.TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Welcome back for Part 2 of my discussion with 3G Collective: John Reed, Shany Dagan, and Jana Krumholtz!Three grandchildren of Holocaust survivors are using their talents as dancers, actors, and choreographers to tell their families' stories through powerful artistic performances.• John describes his journey from watching his sister dance to becoming a professional dancer and choreographer• John shares his experience working on "Amid Falling Walls," an off-Broadway show featuring Yiddish songs written in concentration camps and ghettos• Shany discusses her transition from Israeli contemporary dance to American theater and aerial circus arts• Shany explains her dance memoir featuring her grandparents' Holocaust survival stories performed simultaneously on stage• Jana talks about her commercial dance career highlights including performing on SNL and Lip Sync Battle• The artists explain how they formed the 3G Collective after discovering their connected histories• Each artist describes their individual shows exploring third-generation Holocaust trauma and resilience• They discuss why third-generation stories provide unique perspectives on Holocaust history and intergenerational trauma• The collective emphasizes that their art demonstrates Jewish resilience - "they didn't win, we're still here"Follow the 3G Collective on Instagram at @thirdgenproject for information about their upcoming performance at Arts On Site on August 7th.TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

In this episode, we welcome a panel of third-generation Holocaust survivors (3Gs) who share their grandparents' remarkable survival stories and reflect on how this legacy shapes their lives today.• Our guests Jana Krumholtz, John Reed and Shany Dagan discuss their varied Jewish upbringings across Florida, Australia/Texas, and Israel • Each shares detailed accounts of their grandparents' Holocaust experiences, from the Lodz ghetto to concentration camps and partisan resistance• We explore how trauma passes through generations, manifesting in relationships with food, safety concerns, and family dynamics• The guests reveal personal journeys to understand and heal from intergenerational trauma through therapy, bodywork, and creative expression• We discuss the challenge of balancing Jewish identity with personal authenticity in a world where antisemitism is again on the rise• All three guests are creating theatrical works that process their family histories and traumaThis episode is part one of a two-part interview with the 3G Collective. Be sure to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more content.TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Join us on an enlightening journey with Dr. Beth Ricanati, whose unique path from Reform to Conservative Judaism offers a tapestry of cultural richness and personal growth. Through engaging anecdotes, Dr. Ricanati warmly shares her upbringing her transition to the spiritual experience creating Challah in her home and beyond. We explore the playful and heartfelt family traditions, such as the amusing "Challah Monster," and discuss how Jewish customs have shaped her approach to parenting and education.Dr. Ricanati also opens up about her fascinating professional journey, starting with a background in Art History that seamlessly lead to a career in medicine. Her experiences at Columbia and the Cleveland Clinic inspired the creation of Lifestyle 180, a program that integrates nutrition, exercise, and stress management to combat chronic diseases. This chapter of her life highlights the importance of adaptability, especially her move to sunny Southern California, where new opportunities and joys awaited her. Her story underscores the transformative power of lifestyle changes on personal well-being.Finally, immerse yourself in the comforting world of challah-making with Dr. Ricanati, who transformed from a physician experiencing burnout to a passionate author and workshop leader. The therapeutic process of baking led to her book, "Braided: A Journey of a Thousand Challahs," and nationwide challah workshops. Through these experiences, she discovered the profound health benefits of engaging in meaningful rituals and building community connections. With her insights, you'll be inspired to embrace the power of traditions and find peace in the simple joys of life.Support the show

Elana Frank's journey from Atlanta to Israel and back is nothing short of inspiring, as she intertwines her personal history with her professional mission. With roots tracing back to Holocaust survivors and tales of resilience from her father, Ilana's story is deeply moving and thought-provoking. Her adventurous chapter in Israel during the 2009 recession adds a layer of cultural richness, ultimately bringing her back to Atlanta where her passion for supporting those facing fertility challenges took root.In our conversation, Elana opens up about the profound disparities in access to fertility treatments between Israel and the United States and how these shaped the founding of the Jewish Fertility Foundation. As we explore the foundation's expansion and the impactful Fertility Buddies program, it's clear how essential community and understanding are in navigating the emotional complexities of infertility. We also dive into the social and financial pressures individuals face and why having a dedicated support system can make all the difference.This episode isn't just about Ilana's narrative; it's a testament to the power of support and connection. With insights into the role of clergy, interfaith inclusivity, and the importance of postpartum resources, we cover a spectrum of topics that champion empathy and understanding. Nicole also shares her aspirations, reminding us of the transformative impact philanthropy can have. This conversation underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the necessity of community in overcoming life's challenges.TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Elizabeth Kamens, the president of 3GNY, brings to light the profound connections between Jewish upbringing and Holocaust education. Elizabeth's journey from a Bat Mitzvah in Yardley, Pennsylvania, to leading an organization dedicated to preserving Holocaust legacies is a testament to the enduring impact of Jewish traditions and historical awareness. Through our conversation, Elizabeth shares the powerful emotions evoked by visiting historical Jewish sites. Her insights offer a unique perspective on the rich tapestry of Jewish identity and the significance of maintaining cultural traditions.Holocaust education is more urgent than ever, and this episode underscores its critical role in combating ignorance and denial. We highlight the need to reach diverse student groups, emphasizing the alarming statistic that one-third of school-age children are unaware of the Holocaust. Elizabeth shares her personal encounters with survivor stories and iconic works like Schindler's List, illustrating the profound impact of personal narratives. The unique approach of 3GNY, training grandchildren of survivors to share family stories, provides a deeply personal connection to history, distinguishing it from traditional Holocaust education.The conversation also delves into the broader implications of generational trauma and how it shapes Jewish identity and family narratives. Elizabeth and I explore the resilience of families who fled the rise of Hitler, the complexities of Jewish identity, and the ongoing influence of historical memory. We touch on community initiatives, from intergenerational brunches to engaging social events, highlighting their role in fostering supportive networks. This thoughtful exploration reminds us of the vital importance of preserving and sharing Holocaust legacies, ensuring future generations understand and remember the profound lessons of history.For more information on 3GNY visit their website! TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Uncover the strategies to maintain intimacy amidst the whirlwind of parenthood with Dr. Logan Levkov, who offers salient advice on nurturing closeness even when life's demands seem insurmountable. Learn how to transform the routine chore of scheduled sex into a fulfilling experience and explore alternative acts of pleasure that keep the spark alive. As we navigate the challenges of conceiving and parenting, discover the magic of creating a distraction-free sanctuary and why a touch of intimacy can be the key to better days.Our episode takes a turn into broader societal conversations, focusing on the profound impacts of the Me Too movement and the repeal of Roe v. Wade on sexual health education. Through honest dialogue, we address the evolving landscape of consent and mutual respect, emphasizing the need for open communication in relationships. Additionally, we examine the unique intersections of sex, Judaism, and stereotypes, challenging media portrayals and exploring the dynamics of Jewish practices.In a heartfelt reflection on Jewish identity and resilience, we tackle complex narratives, from confronting antisemitism to embracing Jewish womanhood in modern society. Through humor and creativity, we talk about personal experiences from her trips to Israel that reveal the strength and hope found in community, even amidst adversity. With a mix of cultural insights and personal stories, this episode promises a rich exploration filled with honesty and inspiration.TopDogToursTopDogTours is your walking tour company. Available in New York, Philly, Boston, & Toronto!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show