In this episode, we tell the story of the precursor to The Jerusalem Post--the Palestine Post, with the help of journalist and media historian Gilad Halpern. We delve into the life of Gershon Agronsky and explore how the newspaper navigated the complex terrain of British Mandate Palestine, WWII, and the establishment of the State of Israel. This narrative examines the paper's balancing act between objective journalism and Zionist advocacy, its transformation over the decades, and its impact on media history and journalism ethics.

In this episode, we explore the work of Matt Handelman, Associate Professor of German and core faculty in Digital Humanities at Michigan State University. We delve into his research on German Jewish intellectuals, particularly those linked to the Frankfurt School, and the concept of 'cultural politics.' The narrative traces the origins of this intellectual movement from the Weimar Republic through exile and adaptation in America, focusing on figures such as Siegfried Kracauer and Walter Benjamin. The episode also touches on the lasting impact of their ideas and the current misuse of Frankfurt School theories by the far right.

This episode explores the research of Uri Schreter, who examines the impact of Jewish LP records in shaping American Jewish identity and culture. Hosted by Jeremy Shere, the discussion delves into 'Olives, Almonds, and Raisins,' an enigmatic 1950s album by Ray Martin, highlighting its multiple versions and regional adaptations. The episode also covers the evolution of recording formats, the marketing of Jewish music, and the role of media in influencing public perception. Through Schreter's insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between music, culture, and history in the post-war era.

Historian Ayelet Brinn discusses her research on the American Yiddish press during World War I, focusing on government censorship and surveillance. She highlights the immense influence of the Yiddish press, the broad powers of the Espionage Act and Trading with the Enemy Act, and the role of the Bureau of Translation. Brinn also examines the complex dynamics between newspapers, the government, and perceptions of Jewish loyalty in the United States, as well as the broader implications for American Jewish history and the relevance of these events today.

In this episode, host Jeremy Shere talks with Shachar Pinsker, a professor of Judaic and Middle East Studies at the University of Michigan, about the historical and contemporary relevance of the feuilleton–an arts and entertainment section of newspapers that during the 19th and 20th centuries became known as a Jewish genre of journalism. The discussion covers the origins of the feuilleton during the French Revolution, its development and popularity among Jewish writers across Europe, and the genre’s unique ability to address both lighthearted and critical societal issues. Pinsker elaborates on how the feuilleton allowed writers to explore sensitive political and social topics under the guise of light entertainment and reflects on the genre's continued importance in media studies.

Explore Pinsker’s online collection of Feuilletons here.

In this insightful podcast episode, Iris Rachamimov, a historian of modern European history and a visiting fellow at the Frankl Center at the University of Michigan, discusses her book project that chronicles the history of trans people in Israel from the establishment of the state to the present day. Iris delves into the personal stories of individual trans people, the formation of trans communities, the evolving Hebrew terminology related to gender variance, and the broader societal reactions to trans identities. She highlights the crises of masculinity in Israel, especially during the Yom Kippur War, and its impact on trans people. The episode also touches on the publication of Israel's first trans novel The Cut and the societal changes in the late 1990s and beyond. Iris emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting diverse identities, advocating for the message of liberation that trans history offers to everyone.

In this episode, Frankel fellow Oren Yirmiya explores how Hebrew writers have grappled with the gendered structure of Hebrew, exploring ways to express non-gendered or gender-fluid characters and concepts that work within and beyond conventional Hebrew.

In this episode, cultural historian and literary scholar Golan Moskowitz discusses his current book project, which explores the cultural history of Jewish drag and its relationship with Jewish identity in America. Through detailed analysis of significant figures such as Adah Isaacs Mencken, Flawless Sabrina, Harvey Fierstein, Charles Busch, Sadie Sadie the Rabbi Lady, and Sasha Velour, Moskowitz highlights how Jewishness and drag have intertwined to challenge social norms and reflect shifting cultural and political climates. He also delves into the concept of 'transcreativity' and how Jewish drag performers have contributed to broader American drag culture, emphasizing the importance of recognizing queer, trans, and non-binary Jews in the art of drag.

In this captivating episode, host Jeremy Shere from Connversa speaks with Marce Gutierrez, a research fellow at the National University of Salta in Argentina. Marce shares her unique perspective as a trans woman and an anthropologist, studying the interconnected histories of Jewish and LGBTQ+ persecution in Argentina. She delves into the story of Rabbi Marshall Meyer, a key figure during Argentina's turbulent 20th century, and how the violent legacy against marginalized groups spans from the early 1900s through the military dictatorship of 1976-1983. Marce also discusses her research into archives that reveal the struggles and resilience of these communities, highlighting the need for recognition and reparations, and reflecting on the power of community connections in overcoming historical injustice.

In this episode, we explore the work of Raphael Rachel Neis, a professor of ancient history at the University of Michigan, whose book, When a Human Gives Birth to a Raven, delves into ancient rabbinic understandings of reproduction and identity, focusing on how the rabbis of the Talmud viewed the emergence of new life. The book aims to reveal a more complex, varied, and open ancient world, countering the traditional Judeo-Christian perspectives on family, reproduction, and identity.