The Schmooze

Don and Jared

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Society & Culture
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The Schmooze brings together the voices, programs, and stories shaping Jewish life in Calgary. Hosted by Don Schapira and Jared Shore, each episode features a community calendar, interviews with leaders and students, and highlights from across the city. This is your space to stay informed, engaged, and connected.

2d ago

Episode 34: Schmooze with Adin Wener | Jared Goes Back to Camp, annnnnd...Picklefest

Jared Goes Back to Camp. In Episode 34, Jared reconnects with his lifelong friend Adin Wener, whom he first met at Jewish summer camp in the 1980s. Adin is the managing partner of Henderson Brewing Company, the brewery behind its partnership with Rush, the creator of Solly’s craft soda and one of the people bringing Picklefest Canada across the country. They talk about camp friendships, baseball, music, family entrepreneurship and the emotional experience of watching Adin’s son represent Canada at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. They also preview Picklefest Calgary, coming to Big Rock Brewery on August 29, with pickle makers, fermented foods, unusual pickle creations and the home-pickling competition known as “Show Us Your Pickle.” Tickets and vendor details are available at picklefestcanada.com.
Jul 20

Episode 33: A Conversation with Ambassador Iddo Moed | Israel's Ambassador to Canada

What does it mean to represent your country during one of the most challenging periods in its history? In Episode 33 of The Schmooze, we sit down with Israeli Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, diplomacy, resilience, and hope. Ambassador Moed shares his remarkable journey—from serving in the Israel Defense Forces to representing Israel on the world stage. We discuss his family's Holocaust history, Canada's relationship with Israel, the rise of antisemitism, Israel's culture of innovation, and why dialogue remains essential, even in difficult times. This isn't just a conversation about politics. It's about the values that shape a life of public service. In this episode:• Ambassador Moed's personal journey• Growing up with the legacy of the Holocaust• From military service to diplomacy• Canada–Israel relations• Israel's innovation and startup culture• Rising antisemitism• Why dialogue and friendship matter• Hope for Israel's future Thank you to Ambassador Moed and the Embassy of Israel in Canada for joining us on The Schmooze. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share the episode to help us continue bringing thoughtful discussions to our community. Follow The Schmooze:📺 YouTube🎧 Spotify & Apple Podcasts📸 Instagram📘 Facebook📰 Substack #TheSchmooze #IddoMoed #Israel #Canada #Podcast #Leadership #Diplomacy #JewishCommunity #Calgary Editor's Note: This interview was recorded prior to subsequent public statements relating to one of the topics discussed during the conversation.
Jul 17

The Schmooze Between: When Criticism of Israel Becomes Obsession

In this edition of The Schmooze Between, Don and Jared examine what they see as a growing double standard in the way Israel is covered, criticized and judged. The conversation begins with reports of dismissals and resignations inside Global Affairs Canada amid concerns about inappropriate contact with a foreign country, and the limited attention the story appeared to receive from major Canadian media outlets. From there, Don and Jared discuss the controversy surrounding Edmonton Councillor Michael Janz, the difference between supporting Palestinians and defending false or inflammatory claims, and the point at which criticism of Israel can cross into demonization or antisemitism. They also explore: • The disparity in scrutiny applied to Israel• The IHRA definition of antisemitism• The responsibility of public officials and social-media users• Whether replacing Benjamin Netanyahu would actually reduce hostility toward Israel• The role of community leaders navigating difficult political relationships• Why informed disagreement matters more than ideological loyalty Criticism of Israel is legitimate. Accountability matters. But when Israel is held to standards applied to no other country, when does scrutiny become obsession? The Schmooze Between: When Criticism of Israel Becomes Obsession Let us know where you agree, where you disagree, and where you believe the line should be drawn. Subscribe to The Schmooze with Don & Jared for conversations about Jewish life, Israel, politics, community and the stories shaping our world. #TheSchmooze #Israel #Antisemitism #IsraelDoubleStandard #CanadianPolitics #MediaScrutiny #JewishPodcast #MichaelJanz #IHRA #BenjaminNetanyahu
Jul 14

Episode 32: Schmooze with Michael Switzer, Chevra Kadisha of Calgary | Let's Talk About Jewish Funerals

What happens at a Jewish funeral? Why are Jewish burials held so quickly? Can someone with tattoos still receive a traditional Jewish burial? Why do mourners shovel dirt onto the casket? And why has bringing home the remains of fallen soldiers and hostages always been so important in Jewish tradition? These are questions many people have—but few ever ask. In Episode 32 of The Schmooze, Don and Jared sit down with Michael Switzer, Funeral Planner with Chevra Kadisha of Calgary, for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about one of Judaism's oldest traditions. Together they explore: • The role of the Chevra Kadisha• Jewish funeral traditions and customs• Common myths and misconceptions• Why Jewish burials happen so quickly• Tahara (ritual preparation)• Shiva and the Jewish mourning process• The role of volunteers in caring for families• Why recovering the remains of loved ones matters so deeply in Judaism• How community, compassion, and tradition help people through life's most difficult moments Whether you're Jewish, have attended a Jewish funeral, or have simply been curious about these traditions, this episode offers an honest and welcoming conversation about caring for one another in times of loss. A special thank you to Michael Switzer and everyone at Chevra Kadisha of Calgary for the extraordinary work they do for our community. If you're interested in volunteering or learning more about Chevra Kadisha, please visit their website or contact them directly. 🎙️ The SchmoozeCalgary's Jewish Community Podcast Hosted by Don & Jared New episodes every week featuring conversations about Jewish life, Israel, culture, community, leadership, and the people making a difference.
Jul 11

Schmooze Between: When Losing Turns Into Blaming the Jews

What happens when a soccer match suddenly becomes another excuse to attack Israel? After Argentina's dramatic comeback victory over Egypt at the FIFA Club World Cup, social media exploded with claims that the match was "rigged" because of Israel, Zionism, and supposed Jewish influence. In this special Schmooze Between, Jared sits down with lifelong Argentina supporter Rolando "Kiko" Floyd to separate fact from fiction. Together they discuss: • Argentina's historic Jewish community• Why Argentina has become one of Israel's strongest allies• The AMIA bombing and Argentina's complicated history with terrorism• President Javier Milei's relationship with Israel• How a sporting loss quickly turned into antisemitic conspiracy theories• Why blaming Jews has become the world's oldest excuse for defeat Sometimes a soccer match is just a soccer match. Sometimes it becomes something much bigger. Subscribe for more conversations exploring Jewish life, current events, and the stories behind today's headlines.
Jul 6

Episode 31: Dr. Gary Galante on Antisemitism, Medical Schools & Professional Ethics

Can medical schools remain objective when ideology enters the classroom? Following the events of October 7, Dr. Gary Galante found himself advocating not only as a physician, but as a medical educator concerned about the experiences of Jewish students and faculty. In this episode of The Schmooze, Don and Jared sit down with Dr. Galante to discuss what he witnessed inside Canadian medical schools, the challenges Jewish healthcare professionals have faced, and why professional ethics, academic integrity, and open dialogue matter more than ever. This thoughtful conversation explores:• Antisemitism in medical education• The role of physicians as educators• Academic freedom and professional responsibility• Leadership responses within Canadian universities• The creation of the Jewish Healthcare Association of Alberta• Why advocacy continues to matter Whether you work in healthcare, education, or simply care about the integrity of our institutions, this is an important conversation. If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help more people discover The Schmooze. 🎙️ The Schmooze – Calgary's Jewish Community Podcast Subscribe for conversations on Jewish life, current events, history, culture, and the issues shaping our community. #TheSchmooze #Medicine #MedicalEducation #AcademicFreedom #Antisemitism #Healthcare #Canada #JewishCommunity #Podcast
Jul 4

Schmooze Between: New York, the CMHR... and the Roving Rabbis

Jared returns from New York with an unexpected perspective after visiting one of the world's largest Jewish communities. That experience leads to a discussion about Zohran Mamdani, the future of New York, rising concerns in Toronto, and the controversy surrounding the Canadian Museum for Human Rights' Nakba exhibit. The episode concludes with a special conversation featuring Alberta's Roving Rabbis, who are travelling throughout Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories, connecting with Jewish families, strengthening community, and demonstrating that Jewish life continues to grow—even in the most unexpected places. From current events to community inspiration, this is one of our most wide-ranging Schmooze Between conversations yet.
Jun 29

Episode 30: Schmooze with Dave Gordon on Journalism, Media Bias & Truth

Can journalism still be trusted? Award-winning journalist and National Post contributor Dave Gordon joins The Schmooze for a candid conversation about how the media landscape has changed over the past 25 years...and what that means for all of us. Drawing on decades inside Canadian and international newsrooms, Dave shares firsthand stories about editorial decisions, newsroom culture, media bias, and the growing tension between reporting facts and advancing narratives. In this episode we discuss: • How journalism has evolved over the past two decades• The rise of activist journalism• The collapse of public trust in traditional media• The influence of social media and AI on reporting• The CBC, The New York Times, and journalistic standards• Honest Reporting and media accountability• The United Nations and international narratives surrounding Israel• Why critical thinking is more important than ever• Dave's remarkable career interviewing everyone from Dan Aykroyd and Kenny Rogers to world leaders and policymakers Whether you're interested in journalism, media, politics, Israel, or simply understanding how public narratives are shaped, this conversation offers valuable insight into one of the defining issues of our time.

The Schmooze brings together the voices, programs, and stories shaping Jewish life in Calgary. Hosted by Don Schapira and Jared Shore, each episode features a community calendar, interviews with leaders and students, and highlights from across the city. This is your space to stay informed, engaged, and connected.

Creator

Don and Jared
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

41
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Don and Jared
Show Website

The Schmooze