Tag: People of the Pod

The Accusation by South Africa That Israel is Committing Genocide is Not a Laughing Matter

The definition of genocide is as follows:

The systematic and widespread extermination or attempted extermination of a national, racial, religious, or ethnic group.

Last week, in response to the events of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas that resulted from October 7, South Africa accused the Jewish state of genocide against the Palestinians.

I would love to laugh at this lie, but it is not a laughing matter. This accusation comes from the country that forced its black population into a severe second-class status for generations. I don’t know if this is self-righteous anger or an attempt to make up for its own past, but the aim is completely off. I could go on, but last week’s episode of People of the Pod put it perfectly.

Speaking of, it has been more than 100 days since that horrible. More than 100 people are still being held hostage. Given what we know based on the testimony of former hostages, I don’t want to even consider what those still being held are dealing with daily. 

Happy Monday.

P.S. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Allison Josephs, host of the Jew in the City Speaks podcast posted the following on Twitter.

For the First Time in My Life, I am Afraid to be a Jew

Like all immigrants, my forebears came to America for the safety, freedom, and opportunities that did not exist in the countries of their birth. For the last century, my family has flourished. Though there was always antisemitism, I was never afraid to be open about my faith.

Until October 7th. In the nearly 3 weeks since Hamas slaughtered over 1400 Israelis, Jewish hatred has risen to levels not seen since the 1930’s. Yesterday, a group of college students in New York City were trapped in a library trying to escape from an anti-Israel mob.

The lies that Hamas and their allies have spread about Israel have led to this. This is exactly what they have been wanting. They don’t care (and don’t share with the rest of the world) that their fellow Muslims (both local and abroad) are collateral damage. The young lady who was attacked in the New York City subway yesterday did not deserve what she received.

For decades, Israel has been the canary in the coal mine when it comes to terrorism. If she should disappear and the region would become Judenrein, it would be akin to a modern-day Munich Agreement. We all know where that led to.

I don’t know when this madness is going to end. But what I do know too many lives have been taken and/or disrupted by this violence.

P.S. October 27th is the five-year anniversary of the shooting in Pittsburgh. Adding those 11 victims to the 1400 only makes this day harder.

The Forgotten Exodus Podcast Review

Immigration from one land to another is part and parcel of human history. Unfortunately, so are violence, expulsion, and becoming a refugee.

The new podcast, The Forgotten Exodus, tells the story of Mizrahi Jews who were either forced out of predominately Arab lands or left of their own volition. Produced by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which also produces People of the Pod, this limited series started releasing episodes this week.

Each week, the listener is introduced to one person who tells the story of their family. This person speaks both of their familial past in the land of their ancestors and their experiences living outside of that country. After this narrative is told, a historian fills in the gaps with the documented events that led to the immigration or expulsion.

When we talk about Jews, the focus is often on Ashkenazi Jews. The problem is that in doing so, we forget that Jews come from many nations and have different skin tones. This podcast rounds out the Jewish narrative and brings new colors and flavors to a tale that the listener thinks they know.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

New episodes of The Forgotten Exodus drop every Monday.

People of the POD: Diversity is Possible

These days, there is a lot of talk about diversity and learning to get along. But talk is cheap. We have to walk the walk if we want our actions to match our words.

In the wake of the hostages that were taken at the synagogue in Texas a couple of weeks ago, it would have been easy to turn to anger and despair. It is a sad fact that after 5000 years, Jews are still dealing with antisemitism and the lies that come from it.

But there is still a little bit of light in the darkness. On the 18th, the People of the Pod podcast released a special episode relating to the events of the 15th. As the news unfolded, local Jewish, Muslim, and Christian clergy waited at a nearby church, hoping and praying that the hostages would come out alive.

Listening to the interviews, I could see the light in the darkness. There are good people in this world. If only there was enough to stop hate in its tracks.

Burning Stop Motion GIF by cintascotch - Find & Share on GIPHY

Podcast Reviews: People of the Pod and Fever Dreams

Though podcasts are a relatively new form of media, they have as much power and influence as their predecessors.

The new podcast from The Daily Beast is called Fever Dreams. Hosted by reporters Asawin Suebsaeng and Will Sommer, they delve into political right’s various plans to take over the government. Examining the different aspects within the movement, each episode talks about how each subgroup is using different methods to reshape the United States into their own image.

The People of the Pod is a podcast that made its debut in the summer of 2019. Created by the American Jewish Committee, hosts Seffi Kogen and Manya Brachear Pashman talk to different guests about what is going on in the world, how these events can be looked at via Jewish eyes, and the connection to American Jews, Jews across the world, and Israel.

I enjoy both podcasts. The perspective that each takes is an open, honest, and sometimes difficult approach to talking about what are essentially important subjects.

Do I recommend them both? Yes.