What The Falafel

On this episode of What The Falafel, Jewish photographer Blake Ezra reflects on life, identity, purpose and the events that shape who we become!

Blake was on a gap year in Israel during the second intifada when a terrorist attack happened nearby. That moment changed the course of his life. In the aftermath, he began asking himself a very simple but profound question: if we only get one life, what do we actually want to do with it?

That question has followed him through an extraordinary career as a photographer, taking him from news photography and the Middle East to photographing royalty, celebrities, weddings, Holocaust survivors and some of the most intimate moments in people’s lives.

But this conversation goes far beyond photography. We talk about fear, uncertainty, following your gut, and building a meaningful life!

Subscribe to What The Falafel for more conversations about Jewish life, identity, resilience and finding joy!

→ Podcast Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

→ Find Blake on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakeezraphoto/?hl=en

Sponsors:

→ Pukush: https://pukush.com/

Chapters:

00:00 What got Blake started

05:33 Sponsored Advert: Pukush

11:00 Gap year in Israel

14:30 Photography

23:00 Legacy

26:00 Becoming a Coach

32:40 Capturing emotions

43:00 Diverse Living

51:00 Marriage + Music Videos

59:00 Creativity

Michal Oshman’s grandmother survived the Nazis by jumping off a train, and her hyperawareness thereafter taught Michal that she needed to try and be in control of everything in her life.

She climbed the corporate ladder (Head of Culture at TikTok and Meta), married, had kids and did all the things she was “supposed to”, yet she still carried around a level of anxiety that no therapy or cultural practice could shift… that is until she stumbled on scientific papers linking happiness to Judaism.

From then on, she uncovered ancient Jewish teachings that changed her life.

In this episode of What The Falafel, Michal shares her story, and tells us why nourishing the soul and taking a digital detox for 25 hours every week is vital in this modern world.

→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

→ Find Michal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaloshman→

Visit Michal's website: https://www.michaloshman.com

Sponsors:

→ Phone and Learn:

https://www.phoneandlearn.org/jewishwoman

Chapters:00:00 Dating08:04 Who is Michal?The book14:28 Letting go of control21:46 Jewish wisdom24:00 Finding meaning in Judaism30:00 The Tanya34:00 Shabbat34:18 Sponsor Advert: Phone & Learn42:00 Community48:00 ShabbatCode: 1ZOUIIDKKIWW7318Code: MCWGFPQJRSY2KBTU

In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Hollywood producer and writer, Leo Pearlman.

We chat about how he built a TV empire from a basement with 3 other Jewish guys; The Hollywood silence (and antisemitism) the last few years; why he’s speaking out as a proud Zionist Jew; and most importantly… why herring is absolutely NOT allowed in his office!

It’s a brilliant inspiring, funny and insightful episode so make sure you tune in...

→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

Code: 1ZOUIIDKKIWW7318Code: YMGLC0RBKQREDG5S

In this on-the-go episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Netflix’s Fauda co-creator Avi Issacharoff to hear about the upcoming Season 5!

We hear how the mass invasion of Israel was too “unrealistic” a plot line; how everything changed after October 7th; and how writing it became a healing process for everyone involved.

Avi shares his undercover military and then journalistic background, from speaking Arabic with Hamas operatives to being in situations that sparked ideas for the creation of Fauda.

It’s a fascinating episode, so make sure you tune in… and prepare yourself for Netflix’s new release!

→ Podcast Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host:

https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with Jewish News:

https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

Sponsors:

→ Presteez bars:

https://urlgeni.us/amazon/10falafel

Use code Falafel10 for 10% off!

Chapters:00:00: Season 5 05:57: Sponsor Ad Presteez10:08: Oct 7th casualties 12:42: How Fauda got started 18:00: Healing and writing 20:00: Journalistic background 25:00: The media war 29:00: Bukharan and Kurdish heritage

In this episode of the What The Falafel podcast, Jodie Brandman sits down with Ciara Shalome, creator of the sensational Instagram page: The Mizrahi Story.

Ciara has spent years documenting the stories, memories and voices of Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews from across the Middle East and North Africa.We talk about what “Mizrahi” actually means, the discrimination many Mizrahi Jews experienced after arriving in Israel, and the complicated reality of Jewish life across countries like Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Yemen and Morocco.

Ciara talks openly about how she used to see the world in black and white, and how listening to people who actually lived through these experiences completely changed the way she thinks.

This is a conversation about Jewish identity, memory, culture, propaganda, social media, polarisation, Muslim-Jewish relationships, and the importance of being willing to see the grey… because history and people are layered.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to What The Falafel and come join us for more conversations about Jewish life, culture, identity, achievement, spirituality and the things that make us proud to be part of this crazy, brilliant tribe!

→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

→ Find Ciara: https://www.instagram.com/themizrahistory/Sponsors:

→ Contemporary Judaica:

https://contemporaryjudaica.co.uk

Showroom by appointment: 58 Crewys Road, NW2 2AD

→ Presteez bars:

https://urlgeni.us/amazon/10falafel

Use code Falafel10 for 10% off!

Chapters:00:00 What is Mizrahi?08:29 Contemporary Judaica09:40 Discrimination14:33 Ciaras Story, Yemenite and Baghdadi Jews22:31 Presteez23:02 Nuances and Scrolling29:06 The current climate32:12 A Jew and the Quran35:52 Stories1ZOUIIDKKIWW7318

In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Jennifer Rinkoff, a 4th generation baker from the famous Jewish East End Bakery, Rinkoffs.

We cover everything from the bakery's family history to how Jennifer fought her way in as a female and transformed the bakery with viral “Crodoughs".

Jennifer shares stories from her childhood and what it’s like to be a Rinkoff, and shows off her brand-new cookbook as we taste our way through some recipes!

→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

→ Visit the Rinkoff website: https://www.rinkoffs.co.uk→ Find Rinkoff: https://www.instagram.com/rinkoffsbakery/?hl=en→ Get the recipe book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jewish-Bakery-Family-Recipes-Londons/dp/1837836078

Chapters:00:00 Family Foundations 10:00 Joining the business 16:38 Eating crodoughs! 22:00 Extended family business 27:26 The Book

In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Jewish content creator and mum of 3, Chaya of London, for a fun and heartfelt conversation!

From her life in London and LA to her Chabad upbringing Chaya talks about the key moments in her life.

We cover everything from religious marital pressures to building her Jewish home with her kids. This episode will have you feeling proud and inspired!

→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

→ Find Chaya: https://www.instagram.com/chayaoflondon/

→ Shop the Jewellery: https://www.instagram.com/ellayaofficial/

Sponsors:

→ Menachems Kosher Butcher: https://www.instagram.com/menachems_glatt_butchers/https://menachems.co.uk/

→ Phone and Learn https://www.phoneandlearn.org/https://www.instagram.com/phoneandlearn/

→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/.

Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/

In the most powerful episode to date, Jodie Brandman sits down with Ofir Amir, Co-founder, producer, and survivor of the Nova Festival.

Before October 7th, Ofir was building an incredible community alongside music festivals, all promoting connection and kindness at the core.

At 6.29am on October 7th, everything changed.

Fleeing from the Nova massacre, Ofir was shot by terrorists and had to watch one of his best friends die next to him, all the while trying to protect his pregnant wife at home who hiding in a bomb shelter.

Ofir shows us what it means to be resilient. He has gone on to create the Nova Exhibition (which is in London until June 15th), and the Tribe of Nova, an entire community supporting survivors and their families.

This episode needs to be watched by everyone.

A massive thank you to Ofir for sharing his story.

Please donate to The Tribe of Nova to help continue his incredible work: http://bit.ly/4eUFnRt

→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Partnered with The Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews

→ https://novaexhibition.com/london-exhibition

→ https://www.tribeofnova.com/

In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Romy Kosher for a food filled chat!

From discussing how Romy went Kosher in Israel to what excites her about kosher London restaurants, you do NOT want to watch this when you’re hungry!!

We also find out all about Romy’s life supporting families with dementia, and her plans for travelling the world eating!

→ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Find Jodie: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Find Romy:

https://www.instagram.com/romykosher/

Dementia care:

→ https://mindkeepers.co.uk/Sponsors:Discover:

This episode is sponsored by:

→ Datekin - https://datekin.co.uk/

→ Kosher Kingdom - 7 Russell Gardens, Golders Green Rd, London NW11 9NN

→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/.

Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/

Chapters:

00:00 Eating & Best Restaurants

03:10 Sponsor: Datekin

03:44 Getting started

14:00 Home life

18:10 Travel

21:40 Going kosher

27:48 Food delivery

35:40 Going to Israel

35:57 Sponsor: Kosher Kingdom

39:30 Content creation

43:43 Dementia

51:12 Social Media

In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with writer, comedian and author, Max Olesker.

In this laugh-out-loud conversation, Max shares how falling in love led to an Orthodox Jewish conversion complete with moving into a religious family's home in Hendon and a bris at the age of 36!

We cover his gruelling journey with the Beth Din, his pro-wrestling and comedic career, and his brand NEW book aptly titled “Making The Cut: An Unorthodox Love Story”.

→ What The Falafel Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

→ Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

→ Find Max Olesker: https://www.instagram.com/maxolesker/

Sponsor:

→ Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/.

Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/