Kehilat Kolenu

The plagues are a crucial, dramatic part of the Exodus story. The plagues of Egypt are often related to 'modern plagues,' hatred, jealousy, bush fires and Coronavirus... Today we shift the focus on fighting the plagues. Specifically we speak to activist Ella Simons, a School Strike for Climate member, who tells us what she is doing to combat possibly the most critical plague of today - climate change.

School Strike for Climate https://www.schoolstrike4climate.com/

This episode spans three conversations with individuals who are navigating between their Jewish and queer identities.

Taking inspiration from Eliyahu's empty seat and the mitzvah to invite people into our Seder, we delve into what it means to create space for queer Jewish identities.

Additional Information

What Modern Addition Are You to the Seder Plate?

In the last few years, seder plates around the world have been growing in size and representation, with oranges, potatoes, olives, beetroots and many others joining the party. If you want to learn more about these additions and more importantly, which one you are, then take our quiz below!

https://www.buzzfeed.com/shaipik1/what-modern-addition-are-you-to-the-seder-plate-6l8ieuakh9

In this episode we'll be exploring the unsung heroines of the Pesach story. Join us as we discuss four awe-inspiring ladies on this podcast including: Yocheved, Shifra, Puah and Bat Pharaoh and the way these badass women shaped the Exodus from Egypt and the continuity and survival of the Jewish people.

In this episode we take a deep dive into the iconic songs of the Haggadah, as we go beyond the catchy tunes and the nostalgia in order to understand the origins of these songs, their meanings and their importance.

Extra Information:

Echad Mi Yodea performed by Batsheva - the Young Ensemble and Ohad Naharin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v6tY_u-Mls

Dayenu? Enough Already!

https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/books/95874/dayenu

Howard Jacobson is a novelist and critic in London. He is the author of, among other titles, J (shortlisted for the 2014 Booker Prize), Shylock Is My Name, and The Finkler Question, which won the 2010 Man Booker Prize.

Acknowledgements:

Special thanks to Zach Freund, Tom Broons, Raph Cohney Hannah Sharp. Also to Steph Zwi and Nava Tehila for their musical contributions.

Today is a continuation of exploring the Seder and Pesach Traditions. We speak with Nita Jawary how her mother celebrated Pesach in Baghdad, Iraq and how these traditions have infused into her Jewish life today. Nita will read an excerpt from her mother's book, Baghdad I Remember.

Nita has documented her family's memories in a O-Book called The Perpetual Table and some of this information can be found on the website: http://www.theperpetualtable.com/theperpetualtable.com/The_Perpetual_Table.html

The Pesach Seder is one of the most observed Jewish traditions around the world. Today we speak to a number of people about their Seder, what they do that's different and their favourite aspects.

Welcome to Kehilat Kolenu's Pesach Podcast. We look forward to bringing you ideas, discussions, and ways to connect you to the Chag in a slightly different way in 2020.

Each year, we come together with our family to tell the story of the Jewish people's exodus from Egypt. It is a jovial occasion, including delicious food, a family catch up, and slightly too much wine. Whilst the story of the Jewish liberation may be many years ago, freedom may still be distant for many people.

"The Seder is not just a celebration of Jewish emancipation. When we tell our story of freedom from slavery, and the exodus from Egypt, we are reminding ourselves not just of the past, but the present too." Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism

In this episode, Hannah speaks with Hamed Allayahari, owner of Cafe Sunshine aka Salamtea and Hamed's Catering.

Hamed shares his story of his journey from Tehran to Melbourne via Christmas Island. Hamed fled from his home country Iran, due to persecution he faced as an atheist in a strict theocratic regime. Hamed describes his travels from Tehran to Indonesia to Christmas Island to Adelaide, finally arriving in Melbourne. Hamed's story is just one of many of those who have and continue to struggle for freedom in the contemporary age.

Visit http://www.hamedspersiankitchen.com /for more information about Salamatea and Hamed's catering company. For visual inspiration, check out Hamed on instagram: @hamedsfood and @salamateahouse.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre provides legal services, groceries and basic resources for those who have sought asylum. The ASRC is continuing to function through the Covid 19 pandemic, and they are currently taking donations at https://www.asrc.org.au/donate/.

To keep up to date with the Podcast, our virtual Kabbalat Shabbatot and all things Kolenu, subscribe to our newsletter at http://www.kolenu.com.au/.

Thanks for listening. We are excited to experience this memorable Pesach with you.