Heritage Words

HUC-JIR Jewish Language Project
Heritage Words

Heritage Words is a podcast about how we engage with our ancestral languages in new and creative ways. Heritage Words is produced by the HUC-JIR Jewish Language Project, which raises awareness about Jewish ancestral diversity through the lens of language. Sarah Bunin Benor is the host.

Episodes

  1. NOV 25

    From vilde chaye to Yiddish parenting maven, with Mayim Bialik

    In this episode, the guest is Mayim Bialik, who discusses Yiddish in American English. Mayim Bialik is best known for her lead role as Blossom Russo in the early-1990s NBC television sitcom Blossom. She played the role of Amy Farrah Fowler on the critically acclaimed CBS comedy, The Big Bang Theory, a role for which she received 2 Critics’ Choice Award wins, 4 Emmy nominations and a SAG Award nomination. She served as host of Jeopardy! for 2 seasons, earning her fifth Emmy nomination for her contributions to the iconic show which won its first primetime Emmy the year she hosted. In 2021, Bialik wrote and directed the feature film As They Made Us, starring Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, Dianna Agron and Simon Helberg. She hosts a popular mental health podcast, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown, with over 26 million downloads. Bialik holds a BS and PhD in Neuroscience from UCLA and she has authored four books, two of which are on the New York Times Best Seller list (Girling Up: How to be Strong, Smart and Spectacular and Boying Up: How to be Brave, Bold and Brilliant). She lives in Los Angeles with her two teenage sons and three cats. Heritage Words is produced by the HUC-JIR Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect: conversations about the words we inherit and the meaning they bring to our lives. Host and executive producer: Sarah Bunin Benor Producer and editor: Avishay Artsy Video editor: Annabel Noar Editorial consultants: Kyle Fingerhut, Annabel Noar, Hannah Pressman Theme music: Maurice El Medioni’s French and Algerian Judeo-Arabic album “Cafe Oran,” featuring the Klezmatics’ David Krakauer and Frank London, courtesy of Piranha Records.

    34 min
  2. OCT 28

    Khudo Kumek isn't just goodbye: Juhuri Journeys with Ilana Mansharov

    In this episode, the guest is Ilana Mansharov, who discusses Juhuri in Modern Hebrew and Canadian English. Ilana Mansharov began her career as a Jewish educator over 21 years ago in Toronto and the greater Toronto area. She comes in with a diverse experience teaching, guiding, developing and leading staff and programs for students of all abilities in Jewish elementary day schools and students of all ages programs in Jewish communal settings. Ilana is a native Israeli and a descendant of Mountain Jews who speaks Judeo-Tat, an endangered Jewish language spoken by Juhuro. Ilana fully supports diversity in Jewish education and Hebrew learning programs. Ilana advocates for neurodiversity and the incorporation of the arts into Jewish and Israel learning programs. She has expertise in leading Jewish text study, as well as history, literature, arts and culture and current events in Israel education. Ilana Mansharov obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University, Judaic and Hebrew Teacher Certificate from Board of Jewish Education, Special Education certification from York University and Masters of Arts in Leadership in Jewish Education and Religious Education from Hebrew Union College. Heritage Words is produced by the HUC-JIR Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect: conversations about the words we inherit and the meaning they bring to our lives. Host and executive producer: Sarah Bunin Benor Producer and editor: Avishay Artsy Video editor: Annabel Noar Editorial consultants: Kyle Fingerhut, Annabel Noar, Hannah Pressman Theme music: Maurice El Medioni’s French and Algerian Judeo-Arabic album “Cafe Oran,” featuring the Klezmatics’ David Krakauer and Frank London, courtesy of Piranha Records.

    41 min
  3. SEP 30

    "Jonam, what's up?" Bukharian as Bridge, with Rozeeta Mavashev

    In this episode, the guest is Rozeeta Mavashev, whose heritage language is Bukharian. A graduate of CUNY with a Master's in Clinical Social Work from Hunter College and a BA in Education and English Literature from the College of Staten Island, Rozeeta Mavashev is deeply committed to education, which has driven her volunteerism and career path in the Jewish professional sector. Currently, she serves as the North American Executive Director at Masa Israel Journey. Rozeeta is also a fervent advocate for amplifying diverse Jewish voices, particularly those of Mizrahi and Sephardi descent. Recognized by Jewish Week as one of the 36 Under 36 in 2021 for her leadership in this area, she sits on the Board of Directors at SAMi Global, a nonprofit she helped establish to support Mizrahi and Sephardi college students and young professionals through leadership, professional, and personal development. In 2021, Rozeeta became the first Bukharian to receive the Wexner Davidson Scholarship Fellowship. As a first-generation American whose parents migrated from Uzbekistan, she credits her success to their unwavering support and love. Rozeeta currently resides in NYC and spends her time reading, painting, and biking. Heritage Words is produced by the HUC-JIR Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect: conversations about the words we inherit and the meaning they bring to our lives. Jewish Language Project's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jewishlanguageproject Host and executive producer: Sarah Bunin Benor Producer and editor: Avishay Artsy Video editor: Annabel Noar Editorial consultants: Kyle Fingerhut, Annabel Noar, Hannah Pressman Theme music: Maurice El Medioni’s French and Algerian Arabic album “Cafe Oran,” featuring the Klezmatics’ David Krakauer and Frank London, courtesy of Piranha Records.

    35 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Heritage Words is a podcast about how we engage with our ancestral languages in new and creative ways. Heritage Words is produced by the HUC-JIR Jewish Language Project, which raises awareness about Jewish ancestral diversity through the lens of language. Sarah Bunin Benor is the host.

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