Buying your first tallit should feel holy and cinematic… but sometimes it feels more like:
“Hi, yes, I’m still here, just trying to do a mitzvah while being mildly ignored in Jerusalem.”

In this episode, I break down the five things I wish someone had told me before I wrapped myself in a tallit for the first time — the awkwardness, the beauty, the politics, and the deeply personal magic of choosing a ritual garment that actually feels like you.

You’ll hear:
✨ The infamous Jerusalem Tallit Saga (yes, it’s as cringe as it sounds)
✨ Why the awkwardness is part of the transformation
✨ Why you should never go tallit shopping alone
✨ How to borrow, test-drive, and “date” your tallit before committing
✨ Why creative, feminine, and downright queer talit styles are reshaping the experience for everyone

Book mentioned: Jewish and Female by Susan Weidman Schneider
👉 Link: Click here to purchase via my link.

Watch my talit-wearing demo (Instagram account required):
👉 Link: Click here

Curious about YOUR Torah Woman Archetype? Take the Meet Your Match-riarch Quiz ➡️ HERE

If you’re building your Jewish confidence from the inside out, this is your go-to guide for turning uncertainty into empowerment — one set of tzitzit at a time!

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Find me on Instagram and Facebook @chantingwithsabrina
 

Think you’re “too experienced” to be a beginner but definitely not trying to lead services anytime soon? Welcome to your inner Sarah — the archetype of the seasoned learner who still side-eyes every invitation to “consider leading next time!”

In this episode, we dive into:
✨ Why Sarah’s iconic “sure, Jan” laugh is actually a spiritual turning point!
✨ The exhaustion-meets-hope moment every long-time learner knows 
✨ Why it’s okay to want Jewish learning that’s entirely, selfishly, deliciously yours
✨ How to reclaim joy in learning without turning it into homework
✨ What it looks like to grow at your own pace — without auditioning for the bima (unless maybe some day you decide you want to)

Your Sarah-style win for the week:
Choose one thing to learn purely because it delights you — a melody, a midrash, a ritual detail — and enjoy it without obligation.

If this episode spoke to your inner eye-roller, make sure to:
👉 Subscribe to Journey with the Jewla
👉 Follow @chantingwithsabrina for more tiny steps toward big Jewish confidence
👉 Take the Meet Your Match-riarch Quiz ➡️ https://zpr.io/ERnbahpBrtQL
👉 Tag me with your archetype results — I LOVE seeing who’s out there rocking their inner Sarahs!

A little joy goes a long way — especially when it’s yours.

In this bonus episode, we’re diving into the Leah Archetype — the gentle beginner who’s quietly wondering, “Am I even allowed to start?”
Spoiler: Yes. Always yes.

Leah’s story reminds us that Jewish growth doesn’t have to be flashy, fluent, or Insta-ready. It starts with curiosity, showing up, and taking one tiny, brave step at a time — even if your “step” is just listening to this episode while hiding from Hebrew verbs.

You’ll learn:
✨ Why feeling behind is normal (and fixable)
✨ How “I don’t know enough” is just your mental mechitza talking
✨ Why small, steady actions are the real power moves in Jewish learning
✨ One simple “small win” you can try this week

If you’ve been peeking in from the sidelines, doubting your place, or saving Jewish learning for “someday,” Leah is your permission slip.

Your Jewish journey can start quietly. It just has to start.

Tune in, take a breath, and take your next tiny step.

—
If this resonates, follow Journey with the Jewla and come say hi on social (@chantingwithsabrina) — I’d love to hear where your curiosity is taking you.

Get YOUR results! ➡️ Take the FREE Meet Your Match-riarch Quiz ➡️ https://zpr.io/ERnbahpBrtQL

In this bonus archetype episode of Journey with the Jewla, we dive into Ruth — the Intermediate / Personal Jewish Connection archetype. If you’re the kind of Jewish woman of any gender who knows a bracha or two, rocks a challah recipe, but still hears that tiny whisper of “Do I really belong here?”… this one’s for you.

Ruth is the archetype known for choosing your place in Jewish life — even when you feel like you’re learning the choreography as you go. She didn’t inherit belonging; she claimed it. Step by step. Awkward vowel sounds and all!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why the “you don’t really belong” voice is totally lying

How Ruth models courage, choice, and commitment

Why showing up is more powerful than perfection

A simple, Ruth-inspired action step you can take this week to strengthen your Jewish confidence

Whether you’re newer to Jewish life, married in, reconnecting, or simply stepping closer — Ruth reminds you that you are allowed to be here. More than that: your choice to belong is sacred.

🔥 Your small win this week: Reach out. Ask a friend about service times. Go to one event. Take one step.
Ruth didn’t wait for an engraved invitation — she RSVP’d herself right into Jewish history.

Loved this episode?
Subscribe, follow Sabrina @chantingwithsabrina, and keep shrinking that mental mechitza — one brave, beautiful step at a time.

Journey with the Jewla — Build your Jewish confidence. Strengthen heart, mind, and skill.

Welcome to the very first episode of Journey with the Jewla, where we gently (and Jewishly) unpack why so many smart, capable, justice-loving Jewish women still feel like outsiders in their own tradition — and why it’s absolutely not their fault.

In this debut episode, Sabrina shares her own winding Jewish journey, explains why she’s stepping behind the mic, and shows you how Jewish time, ritual, and learning can become tools of confidence, connection, and continuity — not sources of shame or overwhelm.

If you’ve ever stood on the bimah whispering, “Wait, which way do I face?”
If you’ve ever prayed for subtitles during services…
If you’ve ever felt “not Jewish enough,” “not educated enough,” or just plain “not enough”…

…this episode is your welcome mat.

The Jewish women (and non-binary + men folk!) who want to feel connected, but are carrying years of mixed messages, mediocre teaching, or straight-up exclusion.

Sabrina explains why she feels like she’s constantly playing the rabbi/cantor/gentle Jewish auntie role — even though she’s technically none of those things — and how that actually makes her exactly the right person to guide you.

Why so many adults feel lost or intimidated during services, and what really creates that “I don’t belong here” feeling.

How our ritual cycle invites us back again and again:
Shabbat → Rosh Chodesh → holidays → Torah cycle → return, return, return.

And why this rhythm makes Judaism a life-long practice, not a test you either pass or fail.

When you learn the blessings, understand the rituals, and finally feel at home in your own practice — your kids inherit something stronger, richer, and more joyful.

Little Jew-spresso episodes to help you build:

✡️ Skill

🧠 Knowledge

💖 Confidence

🔥 Jewish joy

All with humour, warmth, and zero gatekeeping.

Sabrina shares the moment she first put on a tallit — and how what started as awkwardness transformed into pride, belonging, and spiritual courage.

This podcast is her roadmap for giving you that same shift.

This isn’t:
❌ A rabbi’s lecture.
❌ A political roundtable.
❌ A guilt-fueled crash course in “Everything You Should Already Know.”

This is:
✔️ Jewish learning for actual humans with actual lives
✔️ A podcast for the mom packing lunches
✔️ The millennial wondering if she should maybe go to shul this year
✔️ The queer Jew who’s never felt fully included
✔️ Anyone ready to reclaim their tradition with humour and heart

All you need is curiosity — and maybe a little courage. The Jewla brings the rest.

If this episode made you feel seen (or even just giggled nervously at your own synagogue flashbacks), make sure to:

So you don’t miss your weekly Jew-spresso shot of courage and clarity.

For wisdom, Torah tidbits, chanting tips, and plenty of Jewish humor.
Instagram: @chantingwithsabrina

“I’m not a rabbi. I just play one on TV… or at least on the bimah when the bubbies need help with the aliyah blessings.”

“If you’ve ever begged the universe for subtitles during services… you’re in the right place.”

“Jewish time doesn’t rush. It invites. It returns. It welcomes you back.”

“Jewish joy is resilience. Jewish confidence is continuity.”

“Every Jew deserves to feel at home in their Judaism. Maybe this podcast is your start.”

The Jewish ritual cycle: Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, holidays

Torah reading cycle and annual restart

Tallit, blessings, bimah basics

Emotional barriers to adult Jewish learning

Sabrina Friedman (she/her) is a Jewish educator, b-mitzvah tutor, actor, and your NEW favourite Jewish hype-woman. She specializes in empowering adults (especially women of all genders!) to reclaim their Jewish literacy and step into ritual with confidence, ease, and joy.