
Advertise on podcast: Kosher Queers
Rating
5from
This podcast has
105 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Jaz Twersky and Lulav ArnowExplicit
No
Date created
2019/09/16
Latest episode
2021/09/17
Average duration
50 min.
Release period
15 days
Description
Kosher Queers is a podcast with at least two Jews and generally more than three opinions! Each week Jaz and Lulav bring you queer takes on Torah.
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Check latest episodes from Kosher Queers podcast
99 — Haazinu: Can I Get a Selah?
2021/09/17
This week, we debate the unholy combination that is polyamory, ponder the beauty of limericks, flirt briefly with pornoprophetics, and talk frankly a lot about words related to "gadol."
Transcript available here, but this week's transcript is also a little delayed due to the holiday, and the full thing will be up and correct shortly.
You can check out the band Really From at their bandcamp! You can also check out the work of Fat Torah at their website, where Jaz's classmate Emily Rogal has done cool work! The bit from Talmud we referenced about how angels don't understand Aramaic is in Shabbat 12b. If you're curious about the "Microsoft Sam" voice, there's a text-to-speech where you can listen to it here (though Lulav wishes to advise that you open it in an incognito window). Jaz references a TV show that they couldn't remember the name of that we're pretty sure was Joan of Arcadia (2003-05), which is apparently not available for legal streaming anywhere on the internet, because capitalism is not interested in cultural preservation. John Donne's most famous poem about being horny for Hashem can be found here, but if you want it longer, less blasphemous, AND with uncriticized examples of ancient colorism, Shir haShirim is right there.
This week's reading is Samuel II 22:1-51. Next week's reading is Ezekiel 38:18–39:16, and that'll be the last episode of season 2, and the formal end of the podcast for the foreseeable future!
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Lulav Arnow, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
98 — Vayelech: Ice-Skating Tzadikim
2021/09/09
Shana tova! This week, we talk about unsatisfying endings, concise prophets, and how a DM slide can be a radical gift of honesty. Also, the pluses and minuses of smooth roads, insufficiently Jewish translation choices, and what having four different answers to the same question means, Talmudically speaking.
Transcript here.
This week's reading is a combination of Hosea 14:2-10, and Micah 7:18-20 and Joel 2:15-27. Next week's reading is Samuel II 22:1-51.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Ezra Faust, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
96 — Ki Tavo: The Top Surgery of Kings
2021/08/26
This week, we return to the text from our very first pilot episode, and take a fresh look at it two years later! We talk about taking some distance in different types of relationships to be able to return to them better, the importance of mourning, and excellent gay novels. Plus, no kings! They're all too busy working in service jobs to rule.
Transcript available here.
You can find out more info about the most recent Philly Trans Wellness Conference. There's also an overview Wikipedia article about the great chain of being. We definitely recommend reading the new book Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar.
This week's reading is Isaiah 60:1-22. Next week's reading is Isaiah 61:10–63:9.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Ezra Faust, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
95 — Ki Teitzei: Queer Futurities
2021/08/19
This week, we discuss metaphorical big-tent design, and the joys and perils (mostly joys) of not getting back together with your exes. Also, a reminder not to argue with randos on the internet and skepticism about people who talk in vague, idealitistic terms about "queer elders." Plus, journaling as a reality check on our fallible memories and impression of self and the value of just keeping things to yourself for a change.
Transcript available here.
You can listen to "Fire Back About Your New Baby's Sex" by Don Caballero, and it's entirely instrumental, so we choose to believe it means something in line with what we would mean, about refusing to gender babies. Also, we've now finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen, and enjoyed it! Not our favorite Austen, but probably not least favorite either, though it does feel weird to now be the type of person who has favorite and least favorite Austen books. You can check out the forthcoming podcast doing a queer retelling of Pride and Prejudice, by Caroline Mincks and Cassie Josephs, on its Twitter account @QueerPridePod.
I do recommend A Mosaic of Israel's Traditions by Esther Shkalim for learning about different Jewish holiday traditions from around the world, though note to more radical listeners that it does frame the whole thing around modern Israel as a melting pot. The podcast Gender Reveal, which asks guests about their dreams for the future of gender, is also pretty cool. Jaz's current journal is from the Walnut Wellness Fund, helping provide access to therapy for low-income LGBTQ people, particularly people of color.
This week's reading is Isaiah 54:1-10. Next week's reading is Isaiah 60:1-22.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Lulav Arnow, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
93 — Re'eh: SHABBATPISODE
2021/08/05
This week, people are gay for Shabbat, the Shabbos bride brings a dowry of relaxation, and people re-write prayers to make them more gender-balanced, but forget that Judaism has more than four women. Plus, a formal announcement about what's happening at the end of this season of KQ!
Transcript here.
There are so many different kashrut certifying organizations that each have their own hechsher; you can see a list of some of their symbols here. Here's an Orthodox list of the 39 types of work that are not supposed to be done on Shabbat. Here's the text of the long kiddush in Hebrew, transliteration, and an English translation. Here's the text of Lecha Dodi in Hebrew, transliteration, and an English translation. Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz didn't do a lot that was remembered other than write Lecha Dodi, but you can still read about him briefly here. Here's the text of the part of the Amidah that we talk about in Hebrew, transliteration, and an English translation. Jaz discusses the book is: Heretical Jewish Blessings and Poems, by Yaakov Moshe, which, having now finished it, they don't necessarily recommend - it leans heavily into Buddhism, and they like their heresy to be more organically Jewish. However, fun opening poem. Also, a different but excellent book that's also discussed is Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.
This week's haftarah reading would be Isaiah 54:11–55:5, but since we already read that in Episode 52, our reading was the kiddush, the amidah, and Lecha Dodi. Next week's reading is Isaiah 51:12–52:12.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Lulav Arnow, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
90 — Devarim: When Your Kid Becomes A Cop
2021/07/15
This week, we talk about paradigms of childrearing, giving people space for low-stakes disagreement, and also Kanye lines from 2010.
Transcript available here.
You can probably still do games on Dreamwidth. Also, Lulav is running and Jaz is playing a game of Heart: The City Beneath by Grant Howard and Christopher Taylor, which you can buy a PDF of here. Lulav references "POWER" by Kanye West, which you can see here.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Ezra Faust, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
87 — Balak: The Rest is Commentary
2021/06/24
This week, we talk about mountains as metaphors, Rashi's genital jokes, and being an anti-astrology gay. Plus, we debate anti-assimilation vs anti-colonial readings, and Lulav is a slut for economic interpretation.
Transcript available here.
Seen and Not Heard is a touching narrative podcast about not getting in fistfights with ableist mothers, and instead figuring out how to live your best deaf Jewish life. You can find a comprehensive list of other works Caroline Mincks here or follow them on Twitter @saucymincks. Lulav's first exposure to beating swords into plowshares was this Magic: the Gathering card. If you're not on Lex but would like to be on Lex, you can download it here. You can learn more about the work of Jaz's Talmud teacher, Laynie Solomon, on the "Trans & Jewish World-Building" episode of Judaism Unbound, or read their bio here. The song Lulav references about 28 minutes in is "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls, which came out two months before Jaz was born. Also, gender reveal parties are bad and here's an explosion to prove it!
This week's reading is Micah 5:6–6:8. Next week's reading is Jeremiah 1:1–2:3.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Lulav Arnow, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
84 — Shelach: Historical Hotties and Horrible Hebrews
2021/06/03
This week, we discuss a sex worker who hangs out with a king, extremely inconsiderate invaders, and the vibes of different names. Plus serious dilemmas of moral relativity, words that mean "red," and overly horny Talmudic rabbis. We had to mark it explicit because the text is sexually explicit; it's not our fault.
Transcript here.
Here's Austin Walker's old tumblr blog clockworkworlds and his current work on the podcast Friends at the Table. You can also check out The Objective and follow it on Twitter @ObjectiveJrn ; it's run by Jaz's friend Gabe Schneider, who you can follow on Twitter @gabemschneider. You can check out the Christian fiction podcast Forgive Me! if you're interested in that sort of thing; Jaz listened to the whole thing, and is still not sure if they'd recommend it or not. Here's a bit about Rachav from the Talmud, in Zevachim 116b and another one from Megillah 15b.
This week's reading is Joshua 2:1-24. Next week's reading is Samuel I 11:14–12:22.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Lulav Arnow, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
81 — Bamidbar: SWERP
2021/05/13
This week, we brought it back around to pornoprophetics by talking about Hoshea. Jaz and Lulav disagree about what level of reality to read the haftarah on, but both agree that the plain reading of this text describes a really gnarly dude being abusive to a sex worker and to their children together. Due to discussion of sexual violence, including descriptions of physical & emotional abuse and mention of a book about sexual abuse of a child, as well as just us talking about sex and kink slightly more than is prudent, this episode is marked EXPLICIT.
Transcript available here. Production on this episode ran up to the wire, and only the first 18 minutes of the transcript is available as of release.
This episode's title is based on the acronym "sex-worker-exclusionary radical feminist" — much like TERFs and often overlapping, they disregard the agency and lived experience of the people they exclude from their feminism. Calling Hoshea a SWERP is more of a joke than an actual comparison to SWERFs, tbh.
The Shrieking Shack is a Harry Potter deepread podcast that just finished all seven horrible books, and which we have referenced frankly a lot on this podcast already. Tegan and Sara are sisters, which is not a euphemism, though they are both famously lesbians. Their music is often polarizing to lesbians — Lulav is a fan, but she knows others who are Deeply Opposed. Dean Kamen invented the Segway, which you definitely don't need to remember or know, but you can see both of them in this picture.
Jaz references The Metaphors We Live By, by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson — you can read an overview of conceptual metaphor on this Wikipedia page. Miguel James's "Contra la policía" is translated by Guillermo Parra on his blog here. Jaz promised links about humiliation play, but they are asleep after a long trip so check this space in the future. Lulav references Vladimir Nabokov, who has written several beautifully poetic books about super gnarly dudes, but Lolita is both his most famous book and the one that Lulav chooses to focus on in her comparison. Also, if someone has read the book and still refers to the titular character by the nickname the abusive narrator created for her or uses the word "nymphet", Lulav advises that you run real fast in the opposite direction.
If you're a current or former sex worker and have quibbles with or additions to the content of this episode, hit us up at [email protected].
This week's reading was Hosea 2:1-22. Next week's reading is Judges 13:2-25.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Lulav Arnow, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
80 — Behar-Bechukotai: Bleep Around & Find Out
2021/05/06
This week, we were joined by Jill Levinson, Jaz's good friend whose bat mitzvah happened on this Torah portion. We touch on a variety of topics, including BBYO, the nature of man, being a thirsty little desert flower, and cuckoo-lding.
Full transcript here.
Jill's erstwhile band is The Ruach. Also, Jill mentions in passing the School Colors podcast and the season of StartUp about Success Academy. Both of those are good podcasts about New York public schools.
To see the part of the Castlevania: Symphony of the Night intro that Lulav was referencing, check out this video. For an explanation of Jaz's slightly misquoted but very apropos chicken reference, see the Wikipedia article on Diogenes.
If you missed Isabel Fall’s gorgeous and confounding “Helicopter Story” before she removed it from publication to avoid further harassment, you can catch an archived copy here. “All for the Best” is from the musical Godspell, and you can experience the glories of a production by teenagers in this video. If you heard Lulav singing and it’s gonna bug you until you figure out what the original song was, be buggèd no longer: it’s “Candle on the Water” from the 1977 film Pete’s Dragon.
Finally, the word “erstwhile” doesn’t mean “long-time but idk how regular”, as Lulav would assume from every context she’s seen it in including Jaz’s use up above — it’s just a fancy way of saying “former”.
This week's reading is Jeremiah 16:19–17:14. Next week's reading is Hosea 2:1-22.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Ezra Faust, and our transcript was written by Freya Doughty, a fellow at the Jewish community house Next Dor St Louis. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
79 — Emor: Big Transliteration would have you believe it's "zedakah"
2021/04/29
This week, we talked hereditary leadership, divorce contracts, and illegal sweat. Plus vows in moderation, righteous people that were maybe actually just power-grabbing, and 5D Chess.
Full transcript here.
We really enjoyed 5D Chess. Here's a pretty good overview page on Zadok, and here's a good example of a ketubah text with a halachic prenup from Geek Calligraphy. There are a bunch of other options on ketubah.com if you're looking for one. Also, if you're trans and Jewish, check out the Trans Halakhah Project from Rabbi Becky Silverstein and Laynie Solomon and take their survey! Also, here's a dictionary definition for the word Lulav asked Jaz to define.
This week's reading is Ezekiel 44:15-31. Next week's reading is Jeremiah 16:19–17:14.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Ezra Faust, and our transcript was written by JJ Jensen, who you can follow on Twitter @pantspossum. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
77 — Tazria-Metzora: Magical Separatists
2021/04/14
This week, Jaz has hot takes about major Jewish community events, Elijah's boyfriend says some unnecessarily cryptic stuff, and there are problems with magic systems. Also, there's discussion about magic and then different literary genres for a loooong time, so enjoy that. It even segues into a discussion about the nature of truth, which is always fun.
Full transcript here.
If you were also at the Trans Jews are Here Convening and would like to share your thoughts about it with the organizers, it looks like their feedback form is still open. You can also check out Xai, How Are You? and Sefirat HOMOer or see the announcement for Uncommon Charm by Kat Weaver and Emily Bergslien. Also, you can read about the lesbian nun, Benedetta Carlini, who Jaz's mothers owned a book about, in Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy by Judith C. Brown. Plus, if you want to read more about how objective journalism isn't real, you can read The View From Somewhere by Lewis Raven Wallace and subscribe to the newsletter The Objective.
This week's reading is II Kings 7:3-20. Next week's reading is Amos 9:7-15.
Support us on Patreon or Ko-fi! Our music is by the band Brivele. This week, our audio was edited by Lulav Arnow, and our transcript was written by Reuben Shachar Rose. Our logo is by Lior Gross, and we are not endorsed by or affiliated with the Orthodox Union.
Support the show (http://patreon.com/kosherqueers)
Podcast reviews
Read Kosher Queers podcast reviews
B.riah 2021/08/01
Cool, Jewish, and Queer
I’m really enjoying listening to this podcast looking at Torah and Haftarah from a queer Jewish perspective, with kindness and goodwill.
Khesed Bein 2020/11/06
Very good
I give this 5 stars on the app
I like to learn about Jewish stuff, especially this season when we’re learning context and texts that we aren’t necess...
ohthewhomanity 2020/10/09
Wonderfully nerdy
Listening to this podcast is like hanging out with the nerdy Jewish queer friends I wish I had. It gives me things to think about, things to smile abo...
psc2490 2020/09/17
This is AMAZING!
Honestly, this podcast has been incredibly uplifting in a difficult time. It has helped me feel connected to communities that are important to me!
KISJDMLS 2020/05/31
A great contrast!
This is such a fun addition to my rather staid weekly takes on the parsha! I love the banter, but also the different perspective you add to my conside...
Amperket 2020/05/30
A calming part of my weekly studies :)
In honour of Shavuot, thank you so much for sharing your incredibly Jewish and queer voices! I listen to this podcast weekly as another queer perspect...
CMDonovann 2020/02/29
can i give this more than 5 stars pls
i've downloaded a whole bunch of episodes of this show to listen to while i work, and it's really interesting, engaging, and fun to listen to :D i'm e...
Tori Burstein 2019/09/23
Love it!
Jaz and Lulav have great podcast voices! They sound so happy and I thoroughly enjoy learning their perspectives on Torah portions.
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