In Episode 6 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Ezra Ben-Shalom, a JUNO nominated Singer-Songwriter.

Ezra speaks about his musical journey, songwriting, spirituality, what the job of an artist is, what happens when art becomes a way of wrestling with life’s biggest questions, how Judaism has guided him, and the known and unknown.

Ezra Ben-Shalom is a JUNO-nominated songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer based in Kelowna, British Columbia. His music lives at the intersection of ancient Jewish oral tradition and contemporary avant-folk. The sound feels both timeless and urgently modern.

Across seven previous albums and a career spanning collaborations with artists like Bif Naked and Tegan & Sara, Ezra has carved a singular artistic path. His songwriting draws from the written and oral Torah, weaving ancestral narratives into songs that resonate with universal longing and hope.

His debut solo album, Known and Unknown, co-produced with Chris Carlson (Down the Lees, Tegan & Sara, Kinney Starr), is a bold, uncompromising work - 10 tracks that bridge contemporary challenges with soul medicine.

This episode features the music of Ezra Ben-Shalom. To hear more of Ezra’s music visit www.ezrabenshalom.com or search for Ezra Ben-Shalom on your music streaming app of choice.

And read more about Ezra here: https://thecjn.ca/arts-culture/kelowna-musicians-debut-solo-album-draws-on-jewish-roots-and-reconnection/

What's coming up in your community?

For an afternoon of family fun on July 19 join Jewish Federation of Edmonton for PJ JCC Family Fest, taking place at the McQueen Community League

The Edmonton Heritage Festival is taking place August 1-3 at Hawrelak Park. Come enjoy the cultures of the world, and don’t forget to visit the Israel Pavilion!

Mazal Tov! On August 8 it’s Kehilat Shalom’s Congregational Bar Mitzvah! All are invited to celebrate they Synagogue’s 13th year in Calgary! It’s not a fundraiser, just a celebration! 

On August 9 Shalom Baby Edmonton turns 5. Join the celebration with a fun filled afternoon of playground time, spray park fun, crafts, and tasty snacks.

On Thursday August 13 the Jewish Family Services Calgary 11th Annual Charity Golf Classic at the Cottonwood Golf & Country Club. Look out for the Alberta Jewish Newsies on the links!

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN. For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

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In Episode 5 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Ashley Kravetsky, a nurse, drag performer, and Jewish LGBTQ Advocate.

June is Pride Month, so it's the perfect time to sit down with Ashley, discuss finding community, being true to yourself and never backing down. Ashley's story is one of Jewish empowerment, it's important and educational. Currently Ashley is the Chair of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton's Pride Committee.

Ashely also speaks about offering support to Jewish people in the queer community, and helping them find their safe place in this world.

If you are in need of help in Edmonton or Calgary, Jewish Family Services is a great place to reach out to, and will be there for you

https://www.jfse.org/

https://www.jfsc.org/

What's coming up in your community?

On June 28 Calgary Jewish Federation is hosting “Bridges of Faith: Christian-Jewish Allyship in Our Modern Day” visit https://jewishcalgary.crowdchange.co/59590

On June 28 in the HOJMI parking lot, Calgary Jewish Federation, HOJMI, and the JCC are hosting their annual Kosher Stampede Breakfast, all are welcome to attend and enjoy pancakes, a bouncy castle, pony rides, and more!

In Edmonton the Heritage Festival is coming up Saturday August 1 – Monday August 3 at Hawrelak Park. Visit booths and pavilions from countless countries. The Israel Pavilion is still seeking volunteers for several positions. Visit jewishedmonton.org for more information

Save the date on Monday September 7 for the annual Walk with Israel in Calgary. Meet the organizations that make up Jewish Calgary, a children’s carnival, Rosh Hashanah Market, and more!

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN. For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

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In Episode 4 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Professor Brian Berkowitz, a hydrology, and now urology, expert with the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Prof. Berkowitz discusses the merits of science, some of his groundbreaking work, how he is helping make the world a better place, and what the future holds.

Prof. Berkowitz’s research centres around the experimental analysis and computer modeling of fluid and chemical transport in geological formations, with emphasis on soil and groundwater systems. He and his colleagues are developing new models that realistically describe pollutant migration patterns; these models show conditions under which groundwater contamination can occur. He is also developing experimental methods for environmentally friendly chemical treatment of contaminated water and industrial effluents. 

Recently, he has become involved in research related to urology and treatment of kidney stones, and to the active treatment of lymphedema and related tissue-swelling disorders, including the development of biomedical devices. 

For more information on Weizmann Canada, and the Weizmann Institute of Science visit: https://www.weizmann.ca/ and http://www.weizmann.ac.il/

What's coming up in your community?

The Talmud Torah Society AGM is on June 18, for more information visit talmudtorahsociety.com

On June 21 Camp BB-Riback is hosting its Open House, for more information and to register visit campbb.com

Monday June 22 is the Calgary Jewish Federation’s AGM and Community Shem Tov Awards, celebrating Jewish Calgary’s Amazing Volunteers

On June 22, Jewish Family Services Calgary will be holding their AGM

On June 28 Calgary Jewish Federation is hosting “Bridges of Faith: Christian-Jewish Allyship in Our Modern Day” visit https://jewishcalgary.crowdchange.co/59590

On June 28 in the HOJMI parking lot, Calgary Jewish Federation, HOJMI, and the JCC are hosting their annual Kosher Stampede Breakfast, all are welcome to attend and enjoy pancakes, a bouncy castle, pony rides, and more!

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN. For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/chaitherepod

https://www.instagram.com/chaitherepod/

In Episode 3 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Dana Wylie, star of the Stars and Stories Live Performance: Leonard Cohen & Joni Mitchell: The Untold Love Story

Dana talk about what Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell mean to Canadians, how music touches us all, and what she would talk about had she the chance to sit and chat with Leonard and Joni, and more. For tickets visit https://www.starsandstorieslive.com/leonard-cohen-and-joni-mitchell

It’s a look at a romantic and creative relationship never before explored on stage.

What's coming up in your community?

On May 30 & 31 The Stars & Stories Live production of “Leonard Cohen & Joni Mitchell: The Untold Love Story” will be in Calgary and Edmonton, tickets via ticketmaster https://www.starsandstorieslive.com/leonard-cohen-and-joni-mitchell

Join Canadian Magen David Adom in Calgary on May 31 for their Stampede with Purpose Gala featuring keynote speaker Loay Alshareef, an update from Magen David Adom Chief of Staff Uri Shacham, entertainment and a delicious kosher dinner https://cmdai.crowdchange.ca/128479

On Monday June 1 Calgary Jewish Federation and the Paperny Family JCC are hosting “Choirs of the World” a free celebration of voices across cultures and generations https://jewishcalgary.crowdchange.co/58813

Na’amat Canada, Calgary presents an exclusive screening of the documentary “Marathon Mom” a story of courage, commitment and resilience. In support of School Supplies for Kids. Thursday June 4 https://naamat.com/blog?id=112

Sunday June 7 join the Edmonton Jewish Seniors Centre for the 6th annual Bagel Loop Walk/Run/Roll, with great raffle prizes, including a unique signed in Hebrew Zach Hyman jersey https://www.jdicseniors.ca/event/bagel-loop-walk-run-roll-2026/

In Calgary Halpern Akiva Academy’s 80’s Retro Gala dinner is on June 7, honouring Marina and Yannai Segal https://halpernakiva.ca/gala/

On June 9 Friends of JNF Canada, Calgary Chapter is hosting their annual Negev Gala featuring Lt. Col. (Retired) Jonathan Conricus, a Middle East Security Expert, in conversation with Kevin Libin, Executive Editor, Postmedia Network Inc. https://www.friendsofjnfca.org/CalgaryNegev2026/

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN. For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

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In Episode 2 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Director Zelda Dean and Co-Producer Laura Shuler of the Chai Life Productions theatre group out of Calgary, Alberta.

Zelda and Laura discuss Jewish theatre, the revival of the Yiddish language, the challenges of bringing community theatre to life, and their new production "The Last Yiddish Speaker" which opens in Calgary at Temple B'nai Tikvah on May 20. For tickets visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/the-last-yiddish-speaker

What's coming up in your community?

May is Jewish Heritage Month and the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta is celebrating with an online exhibit of Southern Alberta Jewish Family Histories https://jhssa.org/southern-alberta-jewish-family-histories/

On May 17 a delegation of Israelis and Arabs from Sharaka will be in Calgary discussing “The new middle east: voices of the Abraham Accords and the importance of building bridges.” https://jewishcalgary.crowdchange.co/59489

Opening May 20 at Temple B’nai Tikvah – Calgary’s Chai Life Theatre group is presenting “The Last Yiddish Speaker” The play runs until June 7. Visit ChaiLifeYYC.ca for tickets

On May 21 Calgary Beth Tzedec congregation is hosting a Shavuot dinner and Tikkun Leil with a broadcast from Sinai. https://bethtzedec.ca/event/erev-shavuot-dinner-and-tikkun-leil/

May 24 The Canadian Friends of JNF Edmonton Negev Gala will feature former Prime Minister Stephen Harper – in conversation with MP Shuv Majumdar https://www.friendsofjnfca.org/EDMnegev2026/

On May 27 in celebration of Jewish Heritage Month – the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta is presenting a Book Launch of their latest publication, “Leadership and Legacy: Notable Jewish Edmontonians” at Audreys Books on Jasper Avenue. Space is limited so please register. https://www.jahsena.ca/events/jahsena-book-launch-leadership-amp-legacy-notable-jewish-edmontonians

Join Canadian Magen David Adom in Calgary on May 31 for Stampede with Purpose Gala featuring keynote speaker Loay Alshareef, an update from Magen David Adom Chief of Staff Uri Shacham, entertainment and a delicious kosher dinner https://cmdai.crowdchange.ca/128479

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN. For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/chaitherepod

https://www.instagram.com/chaitherepod/

In episode 1 of the Chai There Podcast, hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar welcome Bar Lavy, the Coordinator of the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival (EJFF).

The EJFF is celebrating its 30th year, and Bar takes us through the film selection process, what makes this year's festival special, and how you can enjoy some great Jewish cinema this year!

For more information on the EJFF you can read all about it at https://albertajewishnews.com/edmonton-jewish-film-festival-celebrates-30-years-of-stories-on-the-big-screen/ and to purchase tickets visit: https://ejff2026.eventive.org/welcome

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish Podcast powered by AJN. Visit us at https://chaithere.ca/