At Australia's largest congregation, Emanuel Synagogue, a historic transition is underway as the High Holy Days approach. Longstanding Senior Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins has announced he is passing the metaphorical shofar to Rabbi Jacqueline Nino. Tami and Dash sat down with this wise and inspiring rabbinic duo to discuss legacy, leadership, and how Jeffrey has played 'the long game.' Oh, and Tami and Dash have an announcement of their own! You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Inde...

Tami and Dash sit down with chef, author, influencer and newly minted award-winner Ellie Bouhadana. From the kitchen to the page, Ellie has been cooking up more than focaccia. Catch a glimpse of Ellie's table :) Articles relevant to today's episode: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-best-jewish-australian-books-of-the-past-year https://thejewishindependent.com.au/writer-awards-celebrate-talent-in-face-of-discrimination You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-we...

In the middle of the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days, SHIR Australian Jewish Music Festival is returning to stages in Sydney and Melbourne. This year's theme, Songs of Strength, will see Jewish music ranging from musical theatre to pop, liturgical to the latest releases from Israel - including the song that propelled Yuval Raphael to second place at Eurovision, New Day Will Rise. But behind this celebration lies a more complex story. What does it mean to create music when your very identity ha...

After welcoming over one million visitors since opening its doors in 1992, the Sydney Jewish Museum is embarking on an ambitious and brave transformation that speaks directly to our tumultuous present moment. Senior Curator Shannon Biederman shares a curator's perspective on navigating the delicate balance between preserving Holocaust testimony and celebrating living Jewish culture in the post-October 7 age. The week's episode is sponsored by the Sydney Jewish Museum Article...

Tami and Dash sit down with the incomparable Alexis Fishman: one of Australia’s most dynamic Jewish performers. Ahead of her upcoming performance in Anne Being Frank (presented by Monstrous Theatre, Neil Gooding Productions and The Shalom Collective) Alexis talks about the politics of Jewish representation on stage and what it really takes to sustain a creative career across Australia and New York. The interview is candid, cheeky and full of some great "Ashamed to Admits" https://thejewis...

In this episode, Tami sits down with illustrator, author and all-round creative powerhouse Beck Feiner for a conversation that’s equal parts Jewy, chewy and a little bit shamey. Tami and Beck cover the full spectrum: from having proud Jewish mums and to online dating, Jewish weddings (and divorces) to why Jewish South African immigrants often find themselves the butt of jokes. They also tackle a thornier question: in the current climate, are Jewish-themed picture books still commercially po...

Tami and Dash are joined by Aussie actor and influencer Jakey Parry, who now serves in the IDF and has garnered a large following from his funny, insightful and moving videos about being a new immigrant and learning Hebrew in Israel. Take the TJI Quiz https://thejewishindependent.com.au/quiz/tji-quiz-55 More from Jakey on TJI https://thejewishindependent.com.au/i-have-learned-orthodox-actor-is-not-an-oxymoron Jakey's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jakey_parry/ Tami and ...

Lee Kofman and her family survived Soviet persecution as refuseniks in the 1970s, but nothing could prepare her for what happened when she tried to support fellow Jewish creatives in Australia after October 7th. The acclaimed author and writing teacher created a WhatsApp group (later vilified as 'Zio600') for Jewish artists and academics, only to see the private conversations leaked and members' personal details publicly doxxed. She lost most of her teaching work overnight, but she won't be s...

What happens when two passionate Jewish educators decide to reimagine what a Jewish day school could be? Adam Hyman and Eleanor Hasenfratz are bringing a radical new vision to Melbourne's Jewish community with Beit Hillel Community School, set to open in 2026. They caught up with Tami and Dash (both parents of kids in prep) to discuss their vision and why they think Melbourne's Jewish community is ready for this unique model of education. Article related to this conversation: https://th...

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 2025? Can diaspora Jews shape Israel's future from afar? Tami and Dash caught up with Romy Zyngier, research scientist, community builder, and head of one of the slates contesting Australian elections at this year's World Zionist Congress. Learn more: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/once-in-a-generation-chance-to-shape-global-jewish-life The Jewish Independent does not endorse the views of or encourage readers to vote for any particular ticket. ...

In the aftermath of October 7, Zionism and 'Zionists' have been attacked on university campuses and within progressive circles around the world – sometimes with violent consequences. In this episode, Tami and Dash speak with Adam Kirsch, whose essay in The Jewish Quarterly argues that the Jewish people do not need to defend the term – they need to reclaim it. Adam Kirsch is an American poet and literary critic. He is on the seminar faculty of Columbia University's Center for American Studies,...

In this episode of Ashamed to Admit (recorded prior to war breaking out between Israel and Iran) Tami and Dash unpack Lee Kofman’s essay about the phenomenon of Jews being perceived as white; the complexity, nuance and discomfort. Inspired by Tom Ben David’s piece for TJI, Dash reflects on the emotional gymnastics of holding two truths at once, while Tami recounts her surreal stay at Australia’s only kosher hotel. From Judea to St Kilda East, this conversation is full of tension, honesty and ...

This week, in a special episode of ATA, we examine the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Iran expert Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a former detainee of the IRGC, shares her insights on how the Iranian regime is responding to what may be its greatest challenge to power since the 1979 revolution. Dash and Tami also connect with two young Australians currently in Israel to bring listeners firsthand accounts from the ground. Articles relevant to this episode: https://thejewishindependent.com.au...

Does Judaism have a 'shame' problem? In their first-ever live recording of ATA, Tami and Dash joined the annual festival of Jewish ideas and culture at Limmud Oz. In their lively and packed session, Tami posed a question that's been nagging her recently about shame and Judaism. To get some answers, they were joined by Rabbi Allison Conyer of Temple Beth Israel and Rabbi Ralph Genende of Kehilat Kesher, two rabbis with different perspectives.

Ahead of his appearance at this year's Limmud Oz, Sydney-based psychotherapist, leadership coach and all-around mensch, Brandon Srot, chats with Tami and Dash about saying sorry, broiges, and what he calls the "privilege of a lifetime" Plus, Brando discusses the challenges of therapy in the world after October 7 and reveals his (not so shameful) shame. See Tami & Dash in a LIVE recording of Ashamed to Admit at Limmud Oz Melbourne Sunday, 8 June. Articles relevant to this episode: ht...

Are you interested in Jewish creatives who are making exciting work in lush counter-cultural Australian landscapes? If you answered YES, then you’ve come to the right place. In this episode, Tami chats to dynamic & wildly creative artist Sara Yael about all of her crazy past (and present) lives, her EP “Live at the Knoll” and being part of the arts community post Oct 7. Come see Tami & Dash in a LIVE recording of Ashamed to Admit at Limmud Oz Melbourne https://www.tryboo...

Melbourne-based international lawyer and academic Michelle Lesh has spent two decades examining Israel's use – and misuse – of international law, with a particular focus on targeted killings. In this candid interview with Dash, Michelle opens up about recent attacks on Israel's democratic institutions and reflects on the extraordinary legacy of her late husband Mark Baker, whose posthumous memoir A Season of Death was recently named a finalist for the Age Book of the Year Award. Don't m...

Jewish educator and meme queen Shoshana Gottlieb aka @jewishmemesonly joins Tami in the studio to answer questions from a non-Jewish person. Except that non-Jewish person didn’t show up (dw, not in an anti-semitic way, she just had a last minute crisis). So Tami and Shoshana made lemons into lemonade, turning the episode into a crash course of Jewish texts with lots of Jewcy tangents. You’ll love this one. Buy tickets to the “Jewish & “ event in Sydney https://thejewishindependent.c...

Award-winning comedian, writer and professional provocateur Sami Shah joins Tami Sussman and Anthony Levin in the studio this week, but he’s not here to answer questions ... he’s here to ask them. In this loose, insightful and hilarious conversation, Sami probes the Anthony and Tami about South East Asian Jews, male circumcision and how they’d like to be buried. Expect laughter, discomfort, surprising insights and a few things you’re definitely ashamed to admit. Subscribe to The Jewish Indepe...

Are you interested in issues affecting Jews in Australia, the Middle East and the world at large but a little bit ashamed that you don’t know much about it all … because you’re like … not Jewish ? Well you’ve come to the right place! For the next few episodes, we’ll be inviting someone who isn’t Jewish, to raise all the awkward questions you might be too ashamed to ask. First up in this week’s spin-off, Tami and co-host Elise Esther Hearst (filling in for Dash) are joined by writer &...