With British nationalism on the rise in England, I tasted my way through four of London’s oldest, most gustatorily patriotic restaurants—and learned to eat ‘stewed cheese’ along the way. Here’s your guide…
The Kibitz Ep10: Comedy
David Wain – (Wet Hot American Summer, Role Models) who reveals the origins of his beefy-calved Israeli character Yaron in Netflix’s Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, and gives a shoutout about his summit experience.
Kasher vs Kasher – comedian Moshe Kasher and rabbi David Kasher square off on why jews are funny. Moshe dismisses the popular notion that comedy is about “finding truth” and unearths a little-known fact about Noah and his genitals in the bible.
Dan Patterson (Whose Line is it Anyway, Mock the Week) talks about the rise of anti-semitism in the UK.
Andrea Rosen (Episodes, Stella) talks about how being half-jewish influenced her comedy, and how she hates kugel.
Nana – my 95-year-old grandmother goes blue and tells some hilarious jokes
Episode 9 of The Kibitz: Animals
Ever wondered if kosher meat is more humanely raised and slaughtered than non-kosher meat? Want to know whether the eggs you’re buying are from humanely-raised chickens?
The 9th episode of The Kibitz features an exclusive tour inside Teva Foods, one of the few remaining kosher slaughterhouses in the LA area. We’ll discover how the kosher slaughter process takes place and examine whether kosher is a more or less humane method of processing beef for food.
I also interview Yadidya Greenberg—a Jewish Animal Welfare Advocate, Shochet, and Blogger who works with the Jewish Initiative for Animals—and Devora Kimelman-Block, the founder of KOL Foods, the only purveyor of pasture-raised grass-fed kosher beef in the US.
Episode 7 of The Kibitz: What’s the Deli, Yo?!
How did the pastrami sandwich come to be known as classic Jew food? Also, which sandwich is better, Langer’s #19 or the plain pastrami on rye? Episode 7 features interviews w/ David Sax, Norm & Tricia Langer and Zach Brooks of Food is the New Rock.
Episode 5 of The Kibitz: Exodus
Interested in the origin stories of the guys who invented the original superheroes? Then check out episode five of The Kibitz featuring a conversation on that very subject between Jonathan Lethem (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude) Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) and Rabbi Sharon Brous.
Plus Moshe Kasher and David Kasher, Ronna, nana and more!
A Tour of London’s Best Afternoon Teas for the Wall Street Journal
Sure, some journalists travel to war-torn countries or expose pernicious political scandals, but I opted for the arduous task of finding the best tea in London.
(Sorry if this is behind a paywall, but high-minded journalism of this sort — much like afternoon tea — comes at a price).
EPISODE 3 OF THE KIBITZ: LOVE
Episode 3 of The Kibitz is an action-packed Valentine’s Day episode all about love. We’ve got an excerpt from Israel Story (the “Israeli This American Life”) hosted by Mishy Harman, brothers Rabbi David Kasher and comedian Moshe Kasher, Larry Smith of the Six Word Memoir Project, Ronna (of Ronna & Beverly), and my 95-year old nana telling jokes.
And if that weren’t enough to get you kvelling, Jeff Goldblum plays some jazz and banters about jewish holidays.
You don’t have to be Jewish to listen, but it wouldn’t hurt…
Episode 2 of The Kibitz
The second episode of The Kibitz includes interviews with Transparent producers Zackary Drucker (who reveals how the Berlin 1933 storyline from season 2 was partially inspired by true events in her family), and Micah Fitzerman-Blue—who talks about what it’s like being a cisgender male in the writer’s room, and growing up as the son of a rabbi in Oklahoma.
Also featured are brothers Rabbi David Kasher and comedian Moshe Kasher, Mishy Harman from the great podcast Israel Story, and my 95-year old nana telling jokes!
And, Christopher Noxon tells a hilarious and harrowing story of his conversion—including the adult circumcision ritual!
Download Episode 2 at The Kibitz or better, subscribe on iTunes.
I’m Hosting a Podcast: The Kibitz
You don’t have to be Jewish to listen to The Kibitz…but it helps! Our debut episode is all about Hanukkah and features Moshe Kasher & brother David Kasher, Ronna & Beverly, the Sklar Brothers, chef Micah Wexler (of Wexler’s Deli) and others!
Who’s Got the Best Buns in Sweden?
If you’ve never had a kardemummabulle, you simply haven’t lived. I did the grueling legwork of finding the best cardamom buns in Stockholm so you wouldn’t have to. You’re welcome!
It’s Not Easy to Find Fault with a Beach in Mallorca, but I Found a Way—and Wrote About it in the Wall Street Journal…
When Instagram Culture Ruins a Vacation
The downside of finding an idyllic beach in Mallorca: The selfie-stick-equipped hordes were already there.
Moving Parts: Hopscotch, An Opera Inside 24 Limousines
I spent over a year documenting Yuval Sharon and company’s process of writing and producing Hopscotch, an opera that will take place inside 24 limousines in and around Los Angeles. Check out the story in California Sunday Magazine.
My Summer Job: Hosting the 20th Annual Air Guitar World Championships
My favorite time of year is always the end of August, when air guitarists from around the globe make a sojourn to Oulu, Finland, to compete in the Air Guitar World Championships.
I’ve been the official Master of Airemonies since 2008, an honor I can’t even imagine how I deserve. Every year gets better, and the people I meet are the biggest-hearted, warmest, most amazing people in the world, who all come to Oulu to bond over their love for rock n’ roll. This year’s title went to the talented and hilarious Russian known as, “Your Daddy.”
Do You Have Change for a Bowie?
Stories can come from the most unexpected places. The origin of this one goes back to a night out drinking with international air guitar legend, Zac Monro. Zac told me about a community currency called The Brixton Pound, and then pulled out an amazing looking note graced by David Bowie. And thus, this piece in the Times was born.