The Zal

Things may not go back to the way they were for Jews for a while. Dovid's Yom Kippur speech offers 2 recommendations for Jews living in this post-10/7 world. The terms pro-semitism and Jewing make an appearance.

For those seeking social media clout, there’s the strong temptation to pilfer what has already proven to work.  “If the creator of this content got so much attention - why can’t I!?” they ask themselves rhetorically as they press “post” on the piece as if it’s their own.  The more guilt-ridden types will at least sprinkle on their “reaction” while most won’t even bother doing that. In this shortie, Adam and Dovid riff on the morality, patheticness and implications of this disturbingly common practice.  Credit to Tzil V’zemer for the motivating song.

A family heirloom made its way into Adam’s possession: a Siddur (prayer-book) that’s around 150 years old. In this jubilee episode we discuss the provenance of this Siddur and its original owner, the meaning of a small selection of prayers and what a 30-something-not-typically-a-prayer-book-user is meant to do with this priceless book. Music from this joyous Klezmer ensemble and Prince (who doesn't need our humble link).

The Reddit forum r/Judaism is the world's largest anonymous Jewish community.  If you know the internet, and you've ever been in a comment section, you might think this faceless space would be cesspool of crazies, haters and pedants. And it sure would be if it weren’t for a handful of committed moderators: our guests in The Zal. We ask what it takes to maintain a forum whose mandate includes everything from complex legal clarification to Jewish feelings of loneliness to baby-Yoda Purim costumes. Together, we (try to) define anonymity, and ways to prevent its pitfalls while promoting its perks. "Got myself a Jew" from Uncle Mel Music by Stephanie Chou

Tamir Goodman is the only basketball player in history to play at a D1 level while fully observing Shabbat. It’s a story that includes shocks, setbacks and lots of uplifting moments. Glancing at the Wikipedia version of Tamir’s story would lead most to exclaim “Yoshke! This guy sacrificed a lot to keep Shabbat!” But this isn’t how Tamir sees it. Shabbat kept him. The ups and downs of Tamir’s path were received with a sage-like equanimity which he attributes to wearing G-d’s jersey. Videos: Tamir's background; and the 1999 SNL skit with Jerry Seinfeld playing the "Jewish Michael Jordan" (16:30). Music by Flint — "Cloudy Skies," "Glitch Flop."

In the long list of liturgical “I’m Sorrys” Jews recite on Yom Kippur, there's one which continues with: “for the sin... of a confused heart.” But to the modern ear, confusion sounds like a pretty plausible excuse, not a mea culpa? Dovid and Adam are joined in The Zal by Nthenya from Kenya - comedian, screenwriter and actor. Don't miss her soon-to-be-released special “Domesticate Me." Music: A bit of shofar from the Yamma Ensemble. The inimitable Richard Poon sings "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, Itzhak Perlman plays klezmer with The Klezmatics, and the band Tantz does, too.

Can I replace my Rabbi with artificial intelligence? Do convenience and (the illusion of) privacy outweigh the power of the human touch? Will AI officiate weddings?  For now, Dovid will keep his job because he can lift chairs — still, the AI Age is upon us. Once-complex questions are being answered with algorithmic ease. But should all questions be answered by the soul-free machine? (And where does this "should" even come from?) In this episode, IBM 7094 gives speech a try (1961), Arthur C. Clark discusses "the future" (1964), and we hear some first words from an Artificial Jesus. Music, originally suggested for this episode by ChatGPT: Boards of Canada, "Roygbiv" and "Dayvan Cowboy"; Kraftwerk, "The Robots"; Jean-Michel Jarre, "Oxygène, Pt. 4".

In this unintended episode, we banter and vent (vanter?) on the ridiculousness that is the self-absorbed-thoughtful-post and the decorum governing it.  Selfies at Auschwitz? Action shots at funerals? Memorial posts that feature your best angle? We go there.  The song of this episode is “Selfie” by Gurshabad.

Nissim Black doesn't just ignore the haters, he studies them. The legendary musician knows there are people who see him as just another fad, an Orthodox Jewish rapper, a token intersection — but he's in it for the duration, batteries charged. Keep your New Year’s resolution of entering The Zal more often and come get a taste of Nissim's music. Plus: excerpts of other contemporary rappers from religious circles and, purportedly, the first rap track ever recorded. Nissim shares joy and loss and connections between his life, his art, and his community with big hats. Music from Matisyahu, Shyne, Lecrae. Find Nissim Black on Spotify and YouTube — and as he mentioned, The Jubalaires "Noah" from 1946.

During times of crisis, weary eyes look for guidance. Is our eyesight just getting worse or has the nature of leadership really changed? Are we just crusty curmudgeons or are leaders not what they used to be?  Gotta be both. So: what do we do in this vacuum of guidance — should we be speaking more, or shutting up? This episode dedicated to our friend Dex Carvey, a creator of so much gone so much too soon. Some of Dex's fingerprints: this early stage comic-book series; opened for Dana Carvey's Netflix special (won't hear Dex, but he's entitled to 10% of all laughs); idea behind The Weird Place podcast, produced by Conan O'Brien. Explore some of the music by Zusha.