שִׂמְחָה (simkhá): joy

שִׂיחָה (sikhá): conversation

A podcast about Jewish history and culture. With scholars. For everyone. 

Finding joy in conversation. It’s a mitzvah.

Yalla. Let’s learn together.

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From the Fragments of Translation

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From the Fragments of Translation

In this episode, we speak with Yoni Battat about music, identity, and creativity. Yoni discusses what it means to explore the fragments of memory and identity through art. We...

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Welcome to the Hotel Cubana

In this episode, we return to Jewish Cuba and learn about a family who is bringing kosher accommodations and humanitarian aid to the island. We speak to Cindy White...

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Sobremesa

In this episode, we explore the modern history of Jews in Mexico and focus on the intersections between culture, cuisine, food, and family. We start with with Monica Unikel,...

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Under Vines and Fig Trees

In this episode, we speak with Jonathan Dekel-Chen about the long history of Jewish agricultural life. The episode traverses continents and centuries, describing Jewish farming from Abraham through the...

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About

Joy and Conversation is a podcast about Jewish history and culture. It is propelled by curiosity and a passion for teaching and learning. Eclectic but accessible, it is like looking into a kaleidoscope and seeing the vibrant colors, complex shapes, and rich dimensions of Jewish life and identity–but for your ears. It illuminates Jewish diversity by focusing on under-told stories. It emphasizes vitality and dynamism by showcasing humanity and creativity. Centered on asking questions and dedicated to sharing knowledge, Joy and Conversation breaks silences, crosses borders, cultivates understanding, and encourages compassion. Finding joy in conversation is a mitzvah.

Team

Daniel Osborn

Daniel has dedicated his academic and professional careers to the study of Middle Eastern and Jewish histories and advancing a vision of education that is multicultural, global, inclusive of marginalized perspectives, and relevant for life in a globally interconnected world. 

As a student of history and education, he holds a master’s degree from Brandeis University’s Department of Near East and Judaic Studies and a doctorate in education from Boston University. 

As a Program Associate at Facing History and Ourselves and a Program Director at Primary Source, he has spent years writing K-12 history and social studies curriculum; designing professional development workshops; collaborating with teachers and administrators; and thinking strategically about the mission of public education. At Primary Source Daniel has gained experience in podcasting, producing the series What Teachers Need to Know

As a scholar, Daniel regularly presents at academic conferences and publishes, notably the monograph Representing the Middle East and Africa in Social Studies Education: Teacher Discourse and Otherness. Recognizing the importance of promoting public discourse, Daniel also publishes in outlets including Education Week, Cognoscenti, Edify, The Jewish Advocate, Jadaliyya, and Public Seminar.

Nico Rivers

Nico is an audio engineer, composer, sound design and foley artist with a decade of experience in the field and a BA from Emerson College. While studying, he learned the ropes of the recording industry at Futura Productions in Roslindale, MA and as a Live Mix engineer at WERS 88.9FM. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked at East West Recording Studios and as an assistant for the Grammy-winning production duo, Wax LTD. In 2013, Nico left LA to begin his freelance career working as a sound engineer and touring the US and Europe as an independent artist. Since then, he has worked on films, video and podcast projects for organizations such as MIT, Clif Bar, Primary Source and more. To learn more about Nico, visit nicoriversrecording.com.

Samples of Podcast Work:

Special Thanks

Alec Hutson

Special thanks to Alec Hutson for designing the Joy and Conversation logo and writing and recording the show’s theme song! To learn more about Alec’s music visit alechutson.com and to learn about his multimedia design visit warbirdcreative.com. He’s also on instagram @alechutson.

Special thanks to Jay Rosenberg and Voice of the Turtle whose Sephardic music gives our show so much texture and dimension. To learn more about Voice of the Turtle, visit voiceoftheturtle.com.