JEW GONE ZEN

Janna Pelle
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Jewish values through a Zen lens... through the Jewish-est of values: relentless questioning

  1. 01/21/2025

    BESHERT AF: Swimming in Synchronicity.... 2025

    The first Jew Gone Zen Podcast episode of 2025. Recorded on the eve before the outcome of the "DEAL" & hostage release was truly known, I was on the edge of my studio seat praying for the condition of Emily, Romi and Doron... and having an existential crisis about whether or not to release such an optimistic-angled podcast episode over the same weekend.Now that our hostages are home safe, and in relatively good physical condition, here it is — in all its idealistic glory.May 2025 be an interesting year... or rather, a "SHANA MEANYENET" ...שנה מעניינת And for those just discovering the Jew Gone Zen Podcast this year....While sitting zazen at a 5-day Zen meditation sesshin that happened to coincide with Yom Kippur, the words "Jew Gone Zen" kept circling around in my head. I didn't know what it meant or what it would become, but one week later, in a post-October 7th world, it became clear.I was going to start a podcast - and question... EVERYTHING - including my own Jewish identity.WELCOME TO MY CHANNEL OF RELENTLESS QUESTIONING . . . .  W O N D E R   W I T H   M E🇮🇱🙏🏼✡️🧘🏻‍♀️🎗️

    27 min
  2. BESHERT AF: Swimming in Synchronicity.... 2025

    01/21/2025

    BESHERT AF: Swimming in Synchronicity.... 2025

    The first Jew Gone Zen Podcast episode of 2025. Recorded on the eve before the outcome of the "DEAL" & hostage release was truly known, I was on the edge of my studio seat praying for the condition of Emily, Romi and Doron... and having an existential crisis about whether or not to release such an optimistic-angled podcast episode over the same weekend. Now that our hostages are home safe, and in relatively good physical condition, here it is — in all its idealistic glory. May 2025 be an interesting year... or rather, a "SHANA MEANYENET" ... שנה מעניינת And for those just discovering the Jew Gone Zen Podcast this year.... While sitting zazen at a 5-day Zen meditation sesshin that happened to coincide with Yom Kippur, the words "Jew Gone Zen" kept circling around in my head. I didn't know what it meant or what it would become, but one week later, in a post-October 7th world, it became clear. I was going to start a podcast - and question... EVERYTHING - including my own Jewish identity. WELCOME TO MY CHANNEL OF RELENTLESS QUESTIONING . . . . W O N D E R W I T H M E 🇮🇱🙏🏼✡️🧘🏻‍♀️🎗️

    27 min

  3. 12/19/2024

    CH. 12: Jew Gone Zen... GOES TO JAPAN! Author Eva Izsak... and Songs Her Mother Taught Her

    The last Jew Gone Zen Podcast episode of 2024 … and what a perfect conversation to close my first year of post-October 7th podcasting with…   I recently met Eva Izsak-Niimura by chance — at the Jewish Community of Japan — having wandered in on a Shabbat in Tokyo “just to see what a synagogue in Japan was like...” (in case you needed proof that we all turn into our mothers...)  Eva’s entire existence is the most Jew-Gone-Zen story I’ve ever heard — even before I read her book — which may, in fact, be the most impactful book I’ve ever read. Through the ever-changing lens of a mother-daughter relationship, “Songs My Mother Taught Me” — addresses themes of identity, generational trauma, and the desire to re-invent oneself and escape the past, l’dor v’dor, until the cycle inevitably repeats itself again.   Titled “Shneinu” or “the two of us” in Hebrew, and “Lettres a la Mere” (referencing Kafka’s “Letter to a Father”) in French, the book was written, Eva says, to commit to paper many of the thoughts that people generally feel too ashamed to talk about — in hopes of bringing to light that even our deepest darkest thoughts may actually not be all that unique…  But the best part of my conversation with Eva was the fact that we recorded this podcast on December 16th, my Mom’s birthday — though episodes typically come out the 18th of every month, due to the time-zone difference between Japan and New York, this final episode of the year was released one day later, December 19th — on what would have been my Dad’s birthday.   I can’t think of a better way to honor my parents — especially after having read this book. "Songs My Mother Taught Me" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Songs-My-Mother-Taught-Me-Eva-Izsak/dp/1647426987

    1h 15m
  4. CH. 12: Jew Gone Zen... IN JAPAN! Author Eva Izsak... and Songs Her Mother Taught Her

    12/18/2024

    CH. 12: Jew Gone Zen... IN JAPAN! Author Eva Izsak... and Songs Her Mother Taught Her

    The last Jew Gone Zen Podcast episode of 2024… and what a perfect conversation to close my first year of post-October 7th podcasting with…   I recently met Eva Izsak-Niimura by chance — at the Jewish Community of Japan — having wandered in on a Shabbat in Tokyo “just to see what a synagogue in Japan was like...” (in case you needed proof that we all turn into our mothers...)  Eva’s entire existence is the most Jew-Gone-Zen story I’ve ever heard — even before I read her book — which may, in fact, be the most impactful book I’ve ever read. Through the ever-changing lens of a mother-daughter relationship, “Songs My Mother Taught Me” — addresses themes of identity, generational trauma, and the desire to re-invent oneself and escape the past, l’dor v’dor, until the cycle inevitably repeats itself again.   Titled “Shneinu” or “the two of us” in Hebrew, and “Lettres a la Mere” (referencing Kafka’s “Letter to a Father”) in French, the book was written, Eva says, to commit to paper many of the thoughts that people generally feel too ashamed to talk about — in hopes of bringing to light that even our deepest darkest thoughts may actually not be all that unique…  But the best part of my conversation with Eva was the fact that we recorded this podcast on December 16th, my Mom’s birthday — though episodes typically come out the 18th of every month, due to the time-zone difference between Japan and New York, this final episode of the year was released one day later, December 19th — on what would have been my Dad’s birthday.   I can’t think of a better way to honor my parents — especially after having read this book. "Songs My Mother Taught Me" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Songs-My-Mother-Taught-Me-Eva-Izsak/dp/1647426987

    1h 15m

  5. 11/18/2024

    CH. 11: Lifelong Democratic Jew... for Trump - David Hilfstein

    This conversation took place on November 4th, 2024 — the day before the election — (or, what we now know as the "Nakba" of the Democratic Party) . . . I met David Hilfstein as my sound engineer at a gig at Bethel Woods (where the infamous Woodstock Music Festival was held) — the day after Yom Kippur; and the day before leaving for Japan. We bonded over how refreshing it was to meet a friendly Jewish face in a musical space since 10/7, where we had both been feeling increasingly unwelcome lately. One thing led to another — including my mentioning I had a podcast, and David revealing that as a lifelong Democrat, he would be voting for Trump this election. This episode is the culmination of my many lingering questions after the "homework" David assigned me while in Japan: Maher Bitar, Ariene Tabatabai, Robert Malley (look up these names if they're totally unfamiliar) With the results of the election behind us, my hope is that this episode can provide insight into the perspective of the "other side" — whichever "side" you happen to find yourself on. When the world turns upside down, you can either resist it — or turn with it. Just don't forget to pack your critical thinking.

    2h 58m
  6. CH. 11: Lifelong Democratic Jew... for Trump - David Hilfstein

    11/18/2024

    CH. 11: Lifelong Democratic Jew... for Trump - David Hilfstein

    This conversation took place on November 4th, 2024 — the day before the election — (or, what we now know as the "Nakba" of the Democratic Party) . . . I met David Hilfstein as my sound engineer at a gig at Bethel Woods (where the infamous Woodstock Music Festival was held) — the day after Yom Kippur; and the day before leaving for Japan. We bonded over how refreshing it was to meet a friendly Jewish face in a musical space since 10/7, where we had both been feeling increasingly unwelcome lately. One thing led to another — including my mentioning I had a podcast, and David revealing that as a lifelong Democrat, he would be voting for Trump this election. This episode is the culmination of my many lingering questions after the "homework" David assigned me while in Japan: Maher Bitar, Ariene Tabatabai, Robert Malley (look up these names if they're totally unfamiliar) With the results of the election behind us, my hope is that this episode can provide insight into the perspective of the "other side" — whichever "side" you happen to find yourself on. When the world turns upside down, you can either resist it — or turn with it. Just don't forget to pack your critical thinking.

    2h 58m

  7. 10/19/2024

    CH. 10: One Year Later. . . Oct. 365, 2024

    A candid conversation with my non-Jewish, Zen-practicing husband, on the evening of October 7, 2024.

    39 min
  8. CH. 10: One Year Later. . . Oct. 365, 2024

    10/17/2024

    CH. 10: One Year Later. . . Oct. 365, 2024

    A candid conversation with my non-Jewish, Zen-practicing husband, on the evening of October 7, 2024.

    39 min
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About

Jewish values through a Zen lens... through the Jewish-est of values: relentless questioning

Information

  • Creator
    Janna Pelle
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Janna Pelle
  • Show Website
    JEW GONE ZEN