Bonus Episode with Between Two Shabbatot: A Weekly Podcast from Temple Etz Chaim

So the Sounding Jewish Podcast is a project that I started back in 2022.

I had come across a podcast by a fellow musicologist named Sound Expertise.

I thought it was a fabulous production.

He really prioritized inviting music scholars onto his show who would speak about topics that he perceived as hot, and so in a sense, my show is a direct response to his show with a focus on creating a platform for scholars of Jewish music and sound.

Sounds like you created the show that you wanted to listen to-

Yes

... um, which is [laughs] essentially what I'm doing here as well.

To me, the sounds of Jewishness are a very hot topic, but, um, sounds like they didn't think so.

[laughs] You know, personally, I get a lot out of podcasting.

I, I find it's a really interesting way to express myself, to create a, a space where, where I can foreground the ideas that I'm thinking about.

What do you get out of podcasting? I mean, what do you find it gives you that you don't really get from, say, presenting at conferences or teaching in the classroom?

Great question.

For me, the podcast is a public engagement platform, and it's a networking tool, and it's a method of procrastination sometimes.

[laughs]

And it's a way of giving back to the Jewish and musicological communities that have continuously supported me in different ways, and also it gives me this opportunity to invite those that maybe I have found intimidating or that I don't have relationships with to join me as guests.

And then it has provided this opportunity for me to reach out to them and make a new connection that maybe I wouldn't have otherwise cultivated.

I relate to that a lot.

This project really started as a way of talking to people in our synagogue and sort of an excuse for me to get to know them on a deeper level.

So I wanna, I wanna turn towards some, some ideas that, that you discuss a lot.

You always ask your guests, and I, I love that you, that you ask this question, "What is one of your earliest encounters with Jewish sound or music, and why did it stay with you?" I'm wondering if you could answer that question.

How did you encounter Jewish sound, Jewish music, and, um, how has it sort of come with you through life?