The Kibbitzers welcomed the community to Cafe Alma for the show's launch party. Listen to the live interview with Cincy Jewfolk editor Sam Fisher helping the people learn about Andrea and Melissa, get to know about what's in store for this season, and answer some VERY deep listener-submitted questions. 

Books that would be good reads based on the discussions: 

People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present by Dara Horn

Can We Talk About Israel?: A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted by Daniel Sokatch  (Author), Christopher Noxon  (Illustrator)


Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Emmanuel Acho, Noa Tishby, et al.
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth by Noa Tishby
Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life - in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) by Sarah Hurwitz

We have our first guest! Andrea and Melissa welcome singer/songwriter Dan Nichols to the show. What started as a discussion of the importance of Jewish overnight camp in shaping Dan's story turned into a deeper discussion of how he found his place in the Jewish community, mental health, family, and of course music. Plus, Dan shares a new track from his forthcoming album, "The Mirror." 

This week, Andrea and Melissa discuss the rise in antisemitism, express frustration over the normalization of antisemitism and the challenges of addressing it, including the uninviting of a Zionist rabbi from an anti-Neo Nazi event and the desecration of a Jewish cemetery in Cincinnati. They emphasize the historical and cultural significance of Israel, refute the claim that Jews are white colonizers, and highlight the need for nuanced discussions and support for Israel's right to exist.

Andrea and Melissa dive into the complicated world of body image. From societal pressures in the Jewish and secular worlds to self-acceptance, they open up about their personal journeys and the ongoing struggle to feel at home in their own skin. Expect real talk, a few laughs, and plenty of empathy as they unpack what it means to love (or even just like) your body in a world that doesn’t always make it easy. Whether you’ve battled with body image yourself or just want to understand the conversation better, this episode is for you.

n the premiere episode of The Kibbitz, meet your hosts Andrea and Melissa—two longtime friends with sharp minds, big laughs, and even bigger opinions. Join them as they kick off the conversation, sharing who they are, why they started this podcast, and what you can expect from the episodes to come. From pop culture to personal stories, current events to candid confessions—nothing’s off the table when Andrea and Melissa start to kibbitz. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, get a snack (you look hungry), and get ready to join the conversation. This is just the beginning!

Learn about the newest Jewfolk Podcast: The Kibbitz!