Episode 76: They Were Promised the Sea

In episode 76 of radio613, tune-in to hear an interview with Kathy Wazana, creator and director of the newly released documentary: They Were Promised the Sea. The film deals with the exodus of the majority of the Jewish population of Morocco and the myth of the Jewish/Arab enemy and binary. Kathy Wazana tells us about why she made film, why it is important and what she learned on a journey connecting with the people and places of Morocco, Israel-Palestine, and New York. Our conversation coincided with preparations for a They Were Promised the Sea “Film Party and Mimouna Feast for Peace” hosted by Kathy Wazana, Jehad Aliweiwi, Ameena Sultan, Richard Wazana at Beit Zatoun in Toronto and co-presented with the Toronto Palestine Film Festival.

Please take the time to visit They Were Promised the Sea’ Indiegogo fundraising page here. There, you can find out how a financial contribution will help screen and distribute the film and raise awareness about Jewish/Arab/Muslim co-existence in Morocco and “give voice to those who refuse the separation of Arab and Jew, and who hold the key to the possibility of a new Al Andalus”.

In this episode, you can also hear our on-air Omer counting as we conclude the first Hesed-oriented week of the Omer. If you haven’t had a chance, check out radio613′s archived interview with Rabbi Jill Hammer who developed the Omer Calendar of Biblical Women: http://radio613.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/episode-65-omer-calendar-of-bilblical-women

With music from:
Francoise Atlan - “Abdelmoumen” (recording from They Were Promised the Sea) and “La Qod Jara” (from the album Andalussyat)
Rabbi Haim Louk - “Essaouira” ((recording from They Were Promised the Sea) and a performance of Had Gadya with The New Jerusalem Orchestra

Listen to the show here (right-click to download).

Brass Machers

Here are two new music podcasts first aired in February and March 2013 on CFRC 101.9fm’s “Coney Island of the Mic” hosted by DJ Grenadier. Both shows feature s fiery collection of brass music – funk, new orleans, marching band, balkan, klezmer, jazz, calypso – and the first includes an interview with Stefanie Brendler, baritone player in the Seattle-based band “Bucharest Drinking Team”.

If you live in the Northwest and want to learn the french horn, check out Stefanie’s website: brasscurious.info

Links:
Brass Machers, Show #1
Brass Machers, Show #2

Your (Jewish radio) life with CFRC

Dear radio613 listener,

This week, from February 8-17, is the the 8th annual Funding Drive for CFRC 101.9fm – Kingston’s only volunteer-based, listener-supported radio station and the home of radio613. CFRC relies on listener donations for almost 20% of its operating revenue. The goal for this year’s Funding Drive is $25,000, to be raised across 10 days of special programming and community events.

CFRC has been a a perpetual source of support for radio613 over the years – helping us with phone patches, ordering new klezmer releases, providing production feedback, or just generally being an oasis for ourselves and others to engage in creative self-expression. The radio613 collective really would not exist as we do without the station. To continue broadcasting Jewish politics, culture, and religious life from an autonomous perspective, we’re asking for your financial help…

Today, Monday, February 11 is our funding drive show! Please consider making a donation during the show, from 7-8pmET by calling 613-533-2372. Charitable tax receipts are available and to show our appreciation to folks who make a pledge, the radio613 collective will send you a compilation CD of some of the best stories, poetry, and music we have featured on radio613 – in the mail! It would also be our pleasure to give an on-air mention or play a song request for you on the show tonight. As always, you can tune in online at http://www.cfrc.ca or for those of you within the 613-area code – 101.9fm on your radio dial!

Thank you very much in advance for your generosity.

For more information about “Your life with CFRC” and this year’s funding drive:

http://cfrc.ca/blog/funding-drive-2013-february-8-17

Listen in good health,

Malcah, Avi and Sean of The Radio613 Collective
Email: radio613@riseup.net
Website: radio613.wordpress.com
Twitter.com/radio_613

Episode 74: Eco-Chasidus for the New Year of the Trees

Avi & Malcah had the pleasure of interviewing Rabbi David Seidenberg for radio613′s 5773 Tu Bishvat special. Rabbi Seidenberg is an educator in North America and the world about Jewish mysticism and ecology and Chasidic music as well as being the founder of neohasid.org, a website dedicated to helping Jews of any background integrate Chasidic song, learning, and nusach into their davenning and communities.

During our interview, we learned about Tu Bishvat rituals, The Four Worlds seder and more. With beautiful excerpts from Laura Wetzler’s Kabbalah Music: Songs of the Jewish Mystics, and some discussion and announcements related to the Idle No More movement and opposition to Enbridge’s proposed reversal of a pipeline passing through Ontario and Quebec, this is a spiritually engaging show not to be missed.

Click here to hear our conversation.

Our past Tu Bishvat content is archived here.

For more information about Tu Bishvat, see:
http://neohasid.org/resources/tu_bishvat
http://theshalomcenter.org/treasury/118

To watch the full-length video (13 min) about line 9 click here: http://vimeo.com/56842880

To keep up to date on Idle No More events in Kingston, ON/Traditional Haudenosaunee & Anishinaabe Lands, join the facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/IdleNoMoreKingstonON

Episode 73: Tsedek, tsedek, in der shule

Our most recent show featured an interview with Zeeva Greendale. Avi spoke with Zeeva at the Arbeter Ring’s Circle Lodge during “Vokh in Yiddishland”. A hartsikn dank goes out to Zeeva for sharing her vast experiences as a learner and educator in radical and progressive spaces.

Click here to listen (right-click to download)

Episode 72: Mayoral Monsters/Channukah 5773

Our 72nd episode fell on the 3rd night of Channukah this year. Tune in to hear us light the candles and celebrate, live on the radio. In the second part of the show, we join a creative feminist intervention into municipal politics. Reena Katz organized a live in person and web reading of the Cynthia Ozick novella: “Putermesser and Xanthippe.” We spoke to Reena about this project and tuned in to hear an excerpt of the reading.

With music by Klezroym (“Yankele Nel Ghetto”), DeLeon (“Ochos Kandelikas”), Y-Love (“Hanukkah, Oy Hanukkah”), Klezmer Conservatory Band (“O Ir Kleyne Likhtelekh”), Jerusha (“Latke Dance”)

Click here to listen to the show.

Episode 71: Khurbn Sandy

radio613 turns its attention toward New York City as it continues to reel from the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy. Featuring our interview with Ariel Federow – a Brooklyn-based artist and activist who has been organizing Hurricane Sandy response activity in the queer community and for Jews for Racial and Economic Justice; and, voices of organizers from the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV). Today’s show also includes poetry recordings by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and a family memoir of Coney Island.

Click here to listen.

To find ways to support relief efforts, check out:

Occupy Sandy: www.interoccupy.net/occupysandy
Caaav: www.caaav.org
Goles: www.goles.org
Council of Jewish Emigre Community Organizations: cojeco.org

Lider fun treyst

radio613 co-host Avi djs a music show – “Coney Island of the Mic” – every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 11pm-12amET on CFRC 101.9fm/www.cfrc.ca. Last week’s show featured songs of comfort mostly from the music collection of David Lerman (z”l).

Listen/download the show here.

Episode 70: Narrow Bridge Candles

We are very pleased to present our feature interview with Narrow Bridge Candles founder, Jonah Aline Daniel. Jonah makes and sells beautiful beeswax candles for Hannukah, Shabbes and Havdalah in the Bay area in California, using locally sourced, 100% pure beeswax with no dye or perfumes. 10% of the proceeds of Narrow Bridge Candles go towards the Stop the JNF Campaign.

We had a great conversation with Jonah about DIY Judaism, the value of ritual, Jewish anti-zionism and more.

Click here to order your Hannukah candles today! The early order deadline of November 2nd is fast approaching.

Click here to listen to the show!

With music by Le Trio Joubran (“Tanasim”), Yoni & Malcah (“BDS”) and Ofra Haza (“Kol Ha’olam Kulo”).

Episode 69: Yiddish Farm

We have been away from the radio for some time. The fall is a busy time with the high holy days and sukkos and it put us in the mood for the fall harvest. So, in this episode we bring to you a conversation with Yisroel Bass, Farm Manager of Yiddish Farm. Yiddish Farm is an organization that runs an organic farm and educational yiddish language programming. Learn more by listening to our conversation here.

Episode 68: Challenging the Criminalization of Refugees in Australia

On August 3 August 2012, owner and publisher of the Australian Jewish News, Robert Magid, printed an op-ed presenting a glaringly racist portrayal of refugees and asylum-seekers. The piece chastised the Australian Jewish communities for demonstrating empathy toward those seeking refuge in the country. In response, the Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS) initiated an open letter to Magid.

Malcah spoke with Jordy Silverstein, an executive member of the AJDS to learn more about the debate taking place. Listen to the show here.

More info:
RISE: Refugees Survivors & Ex-Detainees
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition
Jews For Refugees
The Cross Border Collective

Episode 67: Save Darfur vs Sudanese Refugees in Israel

Tune in to radio613′s latest edition of our series on Jewish Racism & Jewish Anti-Racism. The show features information and analysis about the contemporary oppression of African asylum-seekers in Israel. We interview Lia Tarachansky, independent journalist with The Real News Network and hear from Natalina Kirba, a Sudanese asylum-seeker living in Israel since 2006. The show wraps up with our analysis of the Save Darfur campaign, critique of left-of center American Jewish responses to the situation of asylum-seekers in Israel, and comparisons between Israel and Canada’s current anti-immigrant & anti-refugee regimes.

With music by Nomadic Massive (“Afrika Malik El Umma”) and Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird (“Dumai”).

Airdate: July 16, 2012

Listen to the show here.

To learn more about the struggles of migrants in Israel, check out:
B’nai Darfur
Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel
African Refugee Development Center
Lia Tarachansky’s The Real News report about the beginning of deportations of South Sudanese from Israel

Episode 66: Rhythm in Flame and Jewish anti-racist blogging

Tune-in to another great episode of your favourite Jewish politics/culture/religious practice radio show and podcast!

In the first half of the show, radio613′s friend and comrade Nomi shares their beautiful Shabbat poem “Rhythm in Flame” set to music, and speaks with Avi about their poem, yeshiva studies, shabbat and training as a sofer.

During part two of the show, we kick off a new series of interviews, conversations and analysis about Jewish racism & Jewish anti-racism. We will be exploring several historical and contemporary moments of Jewish racism and/or anti-racism to deepen our understanding of the dynamics between Jewishness and racism and our commitment to confronting racism in our communities and religious practices. In this first installation of the series, we speak with Erika Davis from the blog Black, Gay and Jewish.

Listen to part1 of the show with Nomi.

Listen to part 2 featuring the interview with Erika Davis.

Hey, Hey, Daloy Charest!

Want to learn about the student strike and broader social movement against austerity in Québec? Tune-in to this special radio613 edition of “Coney Island of the Mic” with DJ Grenadier. On June 13, journalist Aaron Lakoff from CKUT & CUTV in Montreal dropped by CFRC studios to share thoughts and experiences from the ongoing struggle and select some of the finest in radical yiddish and hip-hop music.

Playlist:

Max Pashm – Fight in the Streets
Zalman Mlotek and the New Yiddish Chorale – Barikadn
Geoff Berner – Daloy Politzei
Keny Arkana – Désobeissance Civile
Webster – SPVQ
Gogol Bordello – Underdog World Strike

Listen to the show here.

More info:
http://www.mediacoop.ca/greve

Episode 65: Omer Calendar of Bilblical Women

In this episode of radio613, Avi & Malcah were honored to speak with Rabbi Jill Hammer about her Omer Calendar of Biblical Women. The airwaves were blessed with Rabbi Hammer’s thoughts and teachings about ritual, midrash, and the Omer period.

Featuring beautiful music from Galeet Dardashti‘s Midrashic album The Naming.

Listen to the show here.

You can purchase a hard copy of the Omer Calendar of Biblical Women online at the Isabella Freedman Bookstore. We also recommend checking out Rabbi Hammer’s book Sisters at Sinai: New Tales of Biblical Women.

Episode 64: “Yiddish Anarchists, Bastard Cops, and Queer Pirates” + Kaddish Side Two

L’dor v’dor. Tune in to our 64th show to hear radio613 in conversation with Montreal comrade Aaron Lakoff about his workshop Yiddish Anarchists, Bastard Cops, and Queer Pirates: Building collective histories of anarchist struggle in Montreal. The second half of the show features side 2 of Allen Ginsberg’s 1964 recording of his own reading of Kaddish.

Listen to the show here.

Also, you can check out Aaron’s workshop, (in French with English whisper translation), at this year’s Montreal Anarchist Bookfair.  The workshop is going to happen at 11am on Sunday, May 20th, at the Centre Culturel Georges Vanier at 2450 Workman st. in Montreal. See the full bookfair schedule here.

May Day Broadcast

Today is May Day! Check out our May Day show here.

Links:

http://rabble.ca/news/2012/04/tracing-may-1-haymarket-occupy-may-day
http://rabble.ca/news/2012/04/may-day-immigrant-rights-are-workers-rights

Episode 63: Battle for the East End

In this episode, Malcah speaks with David Rosenberg, author of Battle for the East End and founder/guide for East End Walks. 1930s London saw the rise of a populist fascist movement led by Sir Oswald Mosley. The British Jewish communities of the time responded in various ways to the growing threat. London’s working class and immigrant East End was the focal point for both fascist and anti-fascist organizing. In his book, Battle for the East End, and in today’s interview, David Rosenberg details the rise of British fascism, Jewish responses and anti-fascist organizing. Featuring music by Oi Polloi and Socalled.

Click here to listen to the show.

Episode 62: Kaddish

This week’s podcast features some non-traditional, but kavannah filled, Kaddish recitations. Eileen Gross contributes an audio eulogy for her Aunt Bea, who passed away last month, and we air side one of our vinyl copy of “Kaddish” by Allen Ginsberg.

Listen to the show here.

Stay tuned to the show in coming weeks for side two and liner notes from the “Kaddish” record.

Episode 61: CAMP

Tune in to radio613′s 5772 Purim show! In honour of this raucous holiday, we are featuring an interview with Alexis Mitchell, the insightful director of the  compelling short film CAMP, featured at the 2012 Reelout queer film festival in Kingston. With music by Galeet Dardashti (“Vashti”) and the Philistines with Omar Offendum (“Free the P”)  Also featuring poems by Remi Kanazi.

Click here to hear a very interesting conversation.

Episode 60: On Holy Ground

For this year’s funding drive show, radio613 features a conversation about The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground, including an interview with the film’s directer, Erik Greenberg Anjou. The film has recently been released on DVD with extra bonus footage. This radio613 episode includes some great clips from the film in which the band members and others share their thoughts about politics, Yiddishkeit, Klezmer renewal, and operating as a non-hierarchical, consensus-based band.

Featuring some wonderful music, including: a live version of Barikadn by the Klezmatcs, Joshua Nelson, The Well by the Klezmatics with Chava Alberstein and Im Ninalu by Watcha Clan.

We are very happy to share that we raised over $200 during our show. THANK YOU to everyone who donated! If you didn’t have a chance to donate yet, it’s not too late! CFRC is a wonderful, supportive institution, which has provided the radio613 collective the space and support to explore and pursue Autonomous Jewish practice, thought and culture. Click here for more information about making your donation today. Tax receipts or gifts available.

Listen to the podcast here.

To find out more about The Klezmatics: On Holy Groun, go to www.klezdoc.com or 7thart.com.

Links are fixed

Hi listeners. we had some server switching recently and some of our earlier links weren’t working. That has been fixed (smiles).

Community radio in the 613-area needs you!!!

Tonight is the radio613 funding drive special! We are soliciting your call-in donations to the vibrant, nourishing community radio station here in the 613-area code – CFRC 101.9fm. Tune-in online (www.cfrc.ca) at 7pm: We have a feature interview with the director of the recently released DVD, The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground - Erik Greenberg Anjou. Making a pledge to CFRC during the show tonight not only makes you eligible for some amazing prizes from the station, but you also be entered into a draw for a copy of The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground (with DVD bonus feature klezmer!!!!). Of course, you can also get a tax receipt (no taxes for the Queen!!!) or just feel great about supporting community-run media and our radio collective.

Our pledge line is 613-533-CFRC (2372). If you don’t have the chance to call-in tonight, you can pledge online here.

Thanks listeners!

Episode 59: Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue

Tzedek, tzedek tirdof! Tune in to radio613′s 59th episode featuring a great conversation with Ezra Berkley Nepon about the 1980s progressive Jewish group/movement, New Jewish Agenda. New Jewish Agenda was an American, national, multi-issue, grassroots progressive Jewish organization that operated as a “a Jewish voice among progressives and a progressive voice among Jews.” It was so much fun to talk to Ezra and hear about what led her to do this research, how the NJA functioned, how they struggled, what kinds of issues they tackled. Be inspired and grounded in progressive Jewish history and learn NJA’s story of feminist solidarity, economic justice, feminist, solidarity, nuclear disarmament, AIDS activism and more.

Even more exciting than our conversation, is the fact that Ezra’s research is going to be published as a book and you can help make it happen! With a modest goal of $4000, Ezra Nepon is raising funds to publish her research in a book. Pre-buy your copy for only $20, or consider making a larger donation and receiving a beautiful new Celebrate People’s History poster about NJA. Click here to make your donation today!

Featuring music by Jewish Princess and Fortuna.

Listen to our conversation here.

Visit Ezra Berkeley Nepon’s website.

And, follow Ezra’s research about New Jewish Agenda here.

Pincus and the Pig on your radio!

Tonight, at 7pm on CFRC 101.9fm/www.cfrc.ca, radio613 is broadcasting “Pincus and the Pig: A Klezmer Tale” – a wonderful  reworking of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf”, adapted by Maurice Sendak and musical performance by Shirim Klezmer Orchestra. From Shirim’s site:

“Did you hear of Boychick Pincus, how he opened wide the gate and hippity-hopped over the sweet warm meadow?”So begins Maurice Sendak’s inimitable recasting of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” in which Peter has become Pincus and the wolf is Chozzer Pig. Like Prokofiev’s ever-popular piece, this version is a narrated story with musical accompaniment in which each character is represented by a theme in the music. Sendak and Shirim have collaborated to create a delightful multi-layered Jewish version of the story and music which, in live performance, features large-screen projections of Sendak’s fantastical artwork. Shirim’s remarkable klezmer reworking of the score captures the excitement and humor of Sendak’s script, from the scuffles between the kvetchy bird and the cranky duck, through the daring capture of the beastly Chozzer Pig, to the triumphant march as Pincus, his grandfather (Zeyde) and the Cossacks carry the pig off.

Tune-in!

!זאל זיין מיט מזל אפרג / Good Luck OPIRG!

As listeners may know, radio613 is a proud working group of OPIRG-Kingston – a non-profit environmental and social justice organization based at Queen’s University. OPIRG provides our radio collective with invaluable support – like webspace for our podcasts, recording equipment to take the show on the road, funds to organize local events (like the recent presentation by Yiddish sound artist Reena Katz and concert from Whiskey Rabbi Geoff Berner), and general social and emotional support that we very much need to continue making local, independent, progressive Jewish radio.

Next week, on January 31st and February 1st, OPIRG-Kingston is facing a referendum in which all undergraduate students at Queen’s will decide whether or not to continue providing funding for the organization through a $4 Opt-Outable Student fee. We strongly encourage students to vote ‘YES!’ in the upcoming referendum.

Many thanks,

radio613 collective

More info: http://voteopirg.tumblr.com

http://opirgkingston.org 

Episode 58: Mish-mash

Tune in to a radio613 mish-mash! In this episode, Avi & Malcah share thoughts and information about a variety of current events in our Jewish worlds.

To begin,we discuss the Project Hayei Sarah and hear a D’var Torah about the parsha from Alana Alpert.

Next, we discuss the new documentary Never Come Back, which we recently got to sneak preview. The film is about the Canadian Roma community, the increasing difficulties being faced by Roma refugee claimants in getting status in Canada, and the realities of systemic and violent anti-Roma discrimination in Hungary and the Czech Republic.

We also share information about Hampshire College’s recent Queer Jews and Allies Conference.

The show features lots of great music: ‘Trili Trilili’ by Lenka Lichtenberg, and ‘Play, Gypsy, Play’ and ‘Victory Party’ by the recently titled Canadian Folk Music Award-Winner in the Pushing the Bundaries category, Geoff Berner.

We end the show with the ceaselessly amazing original recording of Allen Ginsberg’s America, set to “Hassidish” by Socalled and Sophie Solomon.

Click here to listen!

Narrow Bridge Candles

You’ve only got 3 days left to order your handmade, BDS-supporting beeswax Hannukah candles from Narrow Bridge Candles! These candles are more beautiful and smell nicer than almost any other Hannukah candles we’ve used. More importantly, the candles are made outside of Israel and 10% of the proceeds go to the Stop the JNF Campaign. Decolonize your Hannukah ritual this year! Support BDS!

Also…stay tuned to radio613 in the coming weeks for an interview with Narrow Bridge Candles creator jonah aline daniel.

Click here to watch a video about Narrow Bridge Candles.

Click here to order your candles now. Shabbat and Havdalah candles available as well.

Episode 57: “Songs of Wonder” & “Khumesh Lider”

radio613 presents an hour with musicians Basya Schechter and Avi Fox-Rosen. This week marks the official release of Basya Schechter’s album “Songs of Wonder” (Tzadik Records). The project sets the Yiddish poetry of activist and Jewish theologian Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel to music. A CD release party for Songs of Wonder is happening on Wednesday, November 30 at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City.

radio613 caught up with Basya and Avi at the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring’s “Vokh in Yiddishland,” a week of celebrating, learning and teaching Yiddish, where the duo performed selections from Pharaoh’s Daughter as well as their inventive and moving musical interpretations of Yiddish poetry by Heschel and Itzik Manger.

Episode 57 features brand new tracks from the (highly recommended!) Songs of Wonder album, an interview with Basya and Avi, plus sounds from their Arbeter Ring concert.

Click here to listen (right-click to download).

To follow along with a translation of Heschel’s yiddish poetry, click here.

Buy “Songs of Wonder” online here.

Episode 56: X-Men

Your fave supercrips face their harshest saga yet…a radio613 movie review! Yup, we take the hour to discuss and analyze themes of disability and Jewish identity that arise in the X-men trilogy (+ prequel): Is Professor X a liberal assimilationist? What does Mystique have to say about privilege/oppression and “passing”? Is Magneto a Zionist? Has Beast sold out to eugenics???? Tune-in to find out!

Click here to listen (right-click to download).

Did we miss a key plot line? Upset that we didn’t discuss Storm’s rad-ness or Wolverine’s reformed nihlism? Feel free, as always, to comment or write us at radio613@riseup.net.

Music this week from Gogol Bordello “To Rise Above” and The Selecter “They Make Me Mad”