The Wandering Jew Studio

In this episode, I chat with Rena Levine, a dear friend of mine to chat about all things food-related with dating. We discuss everything from our worst food date stories, to dealing with IBS, to food anxiety. Then we share some general dating insecurities and analyze a text conversation together. Rena is a natural podcast host and this episode is sure to bring you lots of laughs and good vibes. Happy listening!

(00:00-12:10) food themed worst date stories)

(12:10-17:10) dealing with IBS and how it affects dating

(17:10-25:21) Food anxiety and favorite recipes

(25:21-30:52) erotic foods, self-esteem with food

(30:52-36:50) self-esteem in dating

(36:50-end) Do you need a spark right away in dating?

In this episode, I chat with next-door neighbor Zak about *drum roll please* dating! In the Modern-Orthodox world — how exciting! We talk about breakups, stigmas, red flags, and the struggle of trying to find someone who matches you religiously. Hope you enjoy this fun light-hearted episode!

(0:00-3:40) Intro

(3:40-9:23) Guys and breakups

(9:23-11:40) Covid has changed dating

(11:40-22:00) Red Flag or dealbreaker game

(22:08-28:00) How to know if are in love

(28:00-end) Getting feedback and dating at the same religious level

In this reflective episode, I chat about the oft-quoted phrase “soon by you” that is occasionally said to singles at Jewish weddings and engagements. I dig deep into the origin of this phrase and talk about the pressure society places on young people to reach that next step in life, whether it be getting married, having a kid, or buying a house. I reflect on some difficult feelings of inadequacy and dive into why people say “soon by you”. People love order and stability and when someone seems to have it all together, they can rest comfortably. Lastly, I reflect on the truly special moments in my life when I look back. If you are looking for a meditative pep talk of sorts, this episode is for you. Happy listening!

(00:00-3:47) Intro

(3:47-8:29) Social media as a trigger 

(8:29-10:26) analyzing the cycle of self-deprecation

(10:26-14:33) Why do people say “soon by you”?

(14:33-22:53) Kimmy Schmidt taught me how to be single and happy + some special memories

(22:53-end) 3 final lessons

In this episode, I chat with Mandie Peled, pelvic physical therapist and fellow neighbor in the Heights! Mandie specializes in everything from pelvic pain, to fecal/urinary incontinence, constipation, urinary urgency, prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and musculoskeletal impairments that can occur during and after pregnancy. Together, we talk about how to heal from all kinds of women’s health issues with pelvic physical therapy. Mandie debunks misconceptions about anatomy and discusses how to create a more open world when discussing pelvic health. See below for more specifics. Happy listening!

(0:00-18:00) all about pelvic floor therapy

(18:00-28:40) Closing the orgasm gap and pain with orgasms

(28:40-36:00) working with the Jewish Orthodox community

(36:00-40:00) similar customs from other religions and normalizing pelvic health

(40:00-43:00) How to help a partner struggling with pelvic health

(43:00-end) making patients feel comfortable

In this episode, I compiled a bunch of stories from you all about one of my favorite “That’s So Kvetch” topics, bad date stories! From accidentally hitting a 3-year-old at a mini-golf place, to non-stop conversation about exes, to live performances of original songs, these bad date stories will bring you many laughs guaranteed. Hopefully, you haven’t been there, but some of us definitely have. Happy listening and thank you for contributing!

In this episode, I chat with my friend and neighbor Maia Groman, assistant media planner by day and marketing freelancer by night. Maia is the marketing manager of Basheret, a Jewish dating app that caters to young Jews across a religious spectrum. Not a shidduch app or a hookup app, Basheret meets people where they are at in their Jewish journey and finds matches for you! We talk about dating (of course) from our favorite Hinge prompts, to dealing with dating burnout, to top break up tips, and more. Then, in honor of women's history month, we dive into a deeper discussion about what feminism means. Not all feminists burn bras or yell, and everyone can show up in their own unique way. Maia’s inspiring voice is sure to boost your day. Happy listening!

Download the app here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/basheret-jewish-dating/id1486274771

(00:00-2:30) Intro

(2:30-12:30) dating chatter and breakup tips

(12:30-20:12) The Basheret dating app

(20:12-23:58) Covid was a break from social anxiety

(23:58-30:16) all feminists look different

(30:16-end) struggles in our feminist journeys

Season 2 of That’s So Kvetch is in full swing! In this episode, I journey into the terrain of dealing with homosexuality in the Torah. First, I share the scandalous story where Resh Lakish mistakes Rav Yochanan for a woman and is enchanted by him. Then I dive into Judaism’s general attitude towards homosexuality. I listened to a super right-wing shiur to get a different perspective and contemplated some big questions like: Why are some Jews against homosexuality? What do Jews value most in Judaism? Should the Torah be a rule book or a lesson book? This episode is just the tip of the iceberg of part of a developing conversation as I attempt to deal with the cognitive dissonances in Judaism.

(0:00-4:07)- Intro

(4:07-10:53) The Story of Resh Lakish and Rav Yochanan

(10:53-13:58) Commentary on the story (Daniel Boyarin)

(13:58-17:20) Different Jewish approaches to homosexuality

(17:20 -20:28) Is adding to the Torah corrupting it?

(20:28-end) My cognitive dissonance

In this episode, I chat about the concept of a quarter-life crisis. If you are feeling lost or inadequate or doubting yourself, this episode is for you. I share my feelings about my insecurities, particularly my intellect anxiety and feeling not good or capable enough to accomplish my goals. (Or even knowing what those goals are!) The biggest truth I’ve realized so far is that nobody really has it together. Lastly, I talk about some helpful mentalities I’ve used to cope with these feelings and basically finish off with a serious pep talk! Happy listening!

(0:00-4:51) Intro and updates on my life

(4:51-10:39) Birthday reflections on turning 25

(10:39-12:19) everyone is struggling with the very same thing

(12:19-17:48) feeling not good enough and intellect anxiety

(17:48-end) The grand pep talk!

In this episode, I chat with Hart Levine, the spiritual leader of the Beis Community in Washington Heights. The Beis Community is an intentional community that welcomes diverse Jews together for prayer and spirituality in Washington Heights. We talk about his recent new position at Religious Zionists for America and share some vision ideas together about how to bring Israel’s ideological dream-focused mindset to America. We also discuss what it means to be outward-facing, a little Torah, conversations about community, and more. Hart’s inspiring voice is sure to bring you hopefulness. Happy listening!

Favorite Beis moments (0:00-9:27)

Being out-ward facing (9:27-14:06)

How the Beis has coped during coronavirus (14:06-19:55)

Creating continuity in a transient community (19:55-24:25)

Bringing an Israeli lifestyle to America (24:25-38:51)

How Hart and Yael met (38:51-end)

In this episode, I chat about the concept of disillusionment in dating. The pandemic has changed dating in many ways with it having to become a lot more methodical, zoom slowing things down, and recognizing that sometimes it's just nice to get to know another person in a time of isolation! It can get confusing and I share the two lenses that distract from having clarity. Then, we debate the importance of having a dating checklist and the need for good chemistry in a relationship. Most of all, the confusion is driven by the romantic lens that drives a hope to create something meaningful together! Then we dive into the content of Pesachim 31 in Daf Yomi for some words of wisdom. Lastly, I share the background of the upcoming fast Asarat B’ Tevet and how to make it relatable and meaningful for ourselves today. Happy listening!

(0:00-10:30) The 2 main distraction lenses (Jewish and romantic)

(10:30-12:30) What is the point of podcasting about dating?

(12:30-15:38) How to deal with the confusion

(15:38-22:00) Pesachim 31 and how it relates to dating

(22:00-28:27) What’s behind the fast of Asarat B’Tevet?

(28:27-end) Why Jews eat Chinese food on Christmas?