Jews in Alabama, Episode #22

Happy Chanukah! We talk about our Chanukah so far, and our non-existent New Year's plans; our respective upcoming trips to CES and the JYDA/NAAJY; Raya plugs a couple of podcasts (the Ricky Gervais podcast and Sameach); and we close with a song by Amy Steinberg. 32 minutes, 21 seconds.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #21

We're baaaaaack, after a two-week absence. We talk about yesterday's ultrasound, Raya's birthday, our trip to Florida, and politics. 37 minutes, 51 seconds.

• Bush's "Snoopgate" (Newsweek)
• Wonkette
• Daily Kos
  

Jews in Alabama, Episode #20

With dear friend and special guest JJ (stalkers, can you find his full name?), we ramble on about several things, including Magen David Adom's entry into the International Red Cross, and whether that's a good thing; the rock and rap bat mitzvah of a spoiled brat in New York City; the new Bible literacy class that Alabama Democrats want taught; and the horrifying, yet continuing practice of "honor killings" in the "new Iraq." 34 minutes, 53 seconds.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #19

Our post-Thanksgiving wrapup show. We talk about our weekend with the families, Presbyterian divestment from Israel, Canadian/American/Israeli politics, and more. Plus, JIA is featured in the "Podcast Wars" at Podcast Pickle!! Go vote for us by Friday!!

Closing music is "Michigan Militia" by Moxy Fruvous. 54 minutes, 45 seconds.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #18

A moist and juicy show for Erev Thanksgiving! We respond to some listener feedback about the Great Bris Debate (enjoy, because it's the last time we're going to talk about it for a month!), discuss a controversial statement from the head of American Reform Judaism, and talk about getting ready for tomorrow's big feast. 37 minutes, 7 seconds.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #17

Raya's brother David, fresh out of the US Army, joins us for a long show in which we talk about diversity issues in today's military; we revisit the "leaf on the Tree of Life" story from Episode 7 (where are you, Donnie and Lisa?); mention the South Park "Sexual Harassment Panda;" and get into the bris debate again a little bit. (54 minutes, 2 seconds)

Oh, and since Jen asked so nicely, we now have our very own Frappr map. Add your pushpin!!

Jews in Alabama, Episode #16

We talk about Raya's busy week with the Safrai art exhibit at Beth-El, and the sister city signing between Birmingham, Rosh Ha'ayin (Israel), and Al-Karak (Jordan) tomorrow at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. We acknowledge that somehow, it's been ten years since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. We mention the Abita Springs Brewing Company's "Restoration Ale" brew. Lots of shout-outs to our emailers and message boarders, and we close with an Israeli love song called "Raya." 33 minutes, 26 seconds.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #15

A long podcast to make up for last week's short one. We talk about the response to our discussion board, Raya's trip to Charleston, our bathroom renovations, Florida's dominance over Georgia, a new direct flight to Israel from Atlanta.....and some "Big News."

We close with an excellent cover of "Baby Got Back," courtesy of Jonathan Coulton. (52 minutes, 47 seconds).

Jews in Alabama, Episode #14

A sleepy little podcast, we talk about Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, our continuing home renovation experience, Raya's road trip, and our new bulletin board! (21 minutes, 57 seconds).

Jews in Alabama, Episode #13

Chag Sameach, it's the second day of Sukkot and we talk about Yom Kippur services with the Tuscaloosa Twins, the Kentuck Arts Festival, the NCCJ Walk as One, and jerky fundamentalist prosletyzers and solicitors. (36 minutes, 32 seconds).

Jews in Alabama, Episode #12

A pre-Yom Kippur podcast. We talk about our trip to Atlanta, a gay Jewish banjo, the resolution of the Podcast Alley brouhaha, and there's lots of lamb noises. 36 minutes, 43 seconds.

• Girlyman
• IKEA
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• "Nobel Winner Known to Speak His Mind," Jerusalem Post
• Elite Chocolates
• The View From Here
• Quality Kosher, Atlanta
• Judaica Corner, Atlanta

Now available -- the JIA bulletin board!!!

That's right, this podcast now has its very own discussion board, at:
http://rzeszut.com/jewsinalabama/bbs

Five discussion forums and two polls are currently available. This may be a more convenient way to discuss things than on the comments section below each JIA? episode.

Or, this may be a boondoggle and a waste of time, that no one but me ever uses. Only time will tell!!

Suggestions for other forums are welcomed. Sign up with a username and start postin'!!!

Jews in Alabama, Episode #11

A looonnnnggg podcast to make up for our 10-day absence!! We talk about our first press coverage, Rosh Hashanah, anti-Semitic podcasts (and free speech), Adam Curry, Surf City Synagogue in LA, Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, and have some GarageBand issues. Sorry for the static in some of the episode! (51 minutes, 47 seconds)

• Surf City Synagogue
• "Jewish Evacuees Strive for Ritual" (Washington Post)
• Dar Williams
• Terrific New Theatre
• Detroit Jewish News
• HermesNews
  

L'shana Tova Tikatevu

L'shana Tova -- happy new year -- to all, as Rosh Hashanah begins tonight at sundown. We hope that the coming year brings peace and happiness to everyone.

Since Rosh Hashanah is upon us, and since we have family in town, the podcasting schedule is a little up in the air this week. We'll try and get a podcast out this week, but no promises!!

It's a shame, because we have plenty to talk about -- including the fact that Adam Curry played our promo on episode #249 of the Daily Source Code!! Adam FREAKIN' Curry, the Podfather himself!!

Anyway, we'll do what we can to get a show done this week. Probably not by Tuesday, though.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #10

Our gayest podcast ever -- no, really!! We discuss homosexuality and Judaism with our good friend Bruce. We talk about Selichot, the film Trembling Before G-d, halachic prohibitions on homosexuality (and if they apply to lesbians), and Bruce tells the story of how he came to Judaism. 35 minutes, 38 seconds.

• Trembling Before G-d
• Selichot (myjewishlearning.com)
  

Jews in Alabama, Episode #9, #9, #9, #9, ....

On this episode, we talk about the iPod Nano (and the future iPod Pico and Femto), Olympic and abortion clinic bomber Eric Robert Rudolph, the joys of being Men's Club Secretary, eye surgeons who wear glasses, dentists who still have their baby teeth, cats who can't fit in their litter box, and outing ourselves to a friend who knows a little bit about coming out!! (28 minutes, 53 seconds)

And if you don't understand why I repeated the number 9 in the title, shame on you. Go listen to some Beatles music.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #8

On tonight's episode, we discuss Google Stalking, give a recap of the Rick Recht weekend, talk about what Jeopardy! can teach us about Judaism, and conclude with Rick's rendition of Al Shlosha. 35 minutes, 1 second of podcast goodness.

Links:

• B'nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO)
• JDate
• Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Utica, Mississippi
• The Temple, Atlanta
  

Rick Recht weekend was a blast...

We had a great weekend watching Rick Recht perform, at our temple on Friday night and at the "temple down the street" on Saturday night. Here are a few pictures....


Rick onstage (left) at Emanu-El with clergy and choir...


Rick Recht T-Shirt....


....signed and....


...featuring the name of our shul!! We're a tour stop!!! :)

Jews in Alabama, Episode #7

Our longest episode ever!! We talk about being "outed" as podcasters; also, continuing hurricane relief efforts in Birmingham and across the region; Raya's job at the temple and the Rick Recht concert this Friday night; and the very funny movie we saw this weekend. (38 minutes, 39 seconds)

• Beth Shalom Synagogue, Columbia, SC
  (Go find Raya's leaf -- the first one to find it and send us a picture of it wins a cool Jews in Alabama prize!)
• A sample Tree of Life, from webaum.com
• Please help with hurricane relief. Visit United Jewish Communities, United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, or the charity of your choice to help.

Shalom, Cyndie

The Birmingham Post-Herald ran a very nice piece in today's paper about the life of our dear friend, Rabbi Cyndie Culpeper. Click here to read it.

We went to the graveside service this afternoon. There were probably 150 people there, a testament to the lives that Cyndie touched. We'll all miss her.

Jews in Alabama, Episode #6

We express our sympathies to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and talk a little about how it sideswiped our area. We also talk about a dear friend who passed away this week, tell a funny "Moses" story, play a promo, and complain about looters. We also give lots of shout-outs. (31 minutes, 21 seconds)

Links, Definitions:

• UJC article about the hurricane's effects on the New Orleans Jewish community
• UJC Hurricane Relief Fund
• Beit Din
• Shiva
• Kol Nidre

Jews in Alabama, Episode #5

We claim to have nothing to talk about, and yet still manage to do a podcast over half an hour long. We give our shout-outs, talk about the "Jewish Valentine's Day," our anniversary, Raya's parents' visit, "A Mighty Wind," Eric's return to school, and why Pat Robertson is crazy. (30 minutes, 33 seconds)

Edited 8/24: Forgot to include The SG Show in our list of links. Sorry, Steve and Sam!!!

Links:

• Neighborhoodies
• Tu B'Av, "A Day of Love" (myJewishLearning.com)
• "Robertson rails against pullout" (Jerusalem Post)
• Geeky binary clock (ThinkGeek)
• Rick Recht
  

Jews in Alabama, Episode #4

Home from vacation, we run into a small GarageBand issue but still manage to get this podcast done (though not posted!) before midnight. Shout-outs, disengagement talk, other Alabama Jewish communities, John Tesh, is Grandpa Simpson Jewish?? (36 minutes, 37 seconds).

Links/Definitions:

• "Aliyah" (Wikipedia)
• "Disengagement" (Wikipedia)
• Deep South Jewish Voice
• "Shalom Y'all"
• "Sephardic Tradition and 'The Simpsons' Connections" (The Simpsons Archive)
• "Torah from Simpsons" (MyJewishLearning.com)
• "Television's Changing Image of American Jews" (request a free copy!)
• Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life

Jews in Alabama, Episode #3 (On the Road, Daytona Beach, Florida)

We do our first podcast away from Birmingham, on vacation in Florida. We discuss state lotteries, Jewish weddings, our vacation, and Eric's conversion to Judaism. (24 minutes, 47 seconds.)

Definitions:

• Chuppah
• Beit Din
• Mikvah
• Shehecheyanu

Jews in Alabama, Episode #2

In response to listener comments, we discuss the Orthodox and Chabad presences here in Birmingham; Eric rambles on about fundamentalism; and we talk about Alabama's relationship with Israel. What would we have talked about without listener comments? Write us -- apparently we'll discuss whatever you want to hear!!! (28 minutes, 49 seconds.)

Definitions of terms and/or links mentioned in the show:

• Tefillin (Wikipedia)
  
• Chabad Lubavitch (Wikipedia)
• Dolphin Reef, Eilat

Jews in Alabama, Episode #1

The inaugural episode of "There Are Jews in Alabama?"! We talk about ourselves a bit, give an introduction to the Jewish community of Birmingham, mention our squirrel invasion, discuss our trip to see Mikey, and some other randomosity.

21 minutes, 46 seconds of delicious podcast goodness.