Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal
24 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 12 ratingsShalom! My name is Nadine Litvak, and I want to bring you on my Jewish Journey. Judaism has impacted my life in several ways including amazing volunteering and traveling opportunities, meeting inspiring people and creating new friendships, and figuring out my true beliefs as a young Jewish adult. Throughout this podcast, I will share with you my innermost thoughts and feelings, events and experiences I’ve been a part of, and interviews with those close to me about their connection to Judaism.
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Episodes
#24) Shaking Groggers and Eating Hamantaschen
February 26, 2022 20:00 - 11 minutes - 7.66 MBShalom! In this twenty fourth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I discuss the holiday of Purim, which commemorates the saving of the Jews from an evil man named Haman. The story of Purim is recounted in the Book of Esther, who is known for saving the Jewish people; we read the Book of Esther on Purim (also known as the Megillah) to understand what occurred between Haman, Esther, Mordechai, and many other characters during the time period. I discuss the baking of hamantaschen, whi...
#23) What Do BU, NYU, and Tulane All Have in Common?
January 29, 2022 22:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MBShalom! In this twenty third episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about the most popular public and private colleges/universities that Jewish students attend. As someone who is currently in the college application process, the Jewish atmosphere on campus is one of my top factors when choosing which colleges to apply to. The presence of Jewish organizations, a Jewish studies major, and a Kosher food option in the dining hall are all important factors for Jewish teenagers to co...
#22) Anne Frank’s Story in the Secret Annex
January 07, 2022 21:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBShalom! In this twenty second episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about Anne Frank’s story including her upbringing, her time spent hiding in the Secret Annex in the Netherlands, and the events that followed the discovery of the hiding place by Nazi police. Anne Frank is famous for her diary, which she wrote during the two years that she spent hiding from the Nazis along with her sister, Margot, her parents, Otto and Edith, the Van Pels family, and Fritz Pfeffer. Listen to ...
#21) Converting to Judaism Isn’t as Difficult as It’s Perceived To Be
December 12, 2021 19:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MBShalom! In this twenty first episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about the stigmas and stereotypes associated with converting to Judaism and go over the realities and actual facts about the conversion process. I meet with my Rabbi biweekly for dinner and discuss various Jewish topics, and last week, the discussion was about converting to Judaism. I had many takeaways from my Rabbi which completely changed my perspective about the conversion process, and I share all of them i...
#20) The Miracle of Oil
December 05, 2021 20:00 - 14 minutes - 9.73 MBShalom! In this twentieth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I cover the most recent Jewish Holiday, Hanukkah! Hanukkah is an eight day festival that represents the oil lasting for eight days in the second temple after its destruction in second century B.C. A little phrase I like that describes Hanukkah is “Imagine if your cellphone was at 10% but lasted 8 days… now you understand Hanukkah!” Foods that are fried in oil are typically eaten on Hanukkah to represent the miracle of t...
#19) Importance of a Learning Partner - Chavruta
November 06, 2021 17:00 - 12 minutes - 8.55 MBShalom! In this nineteenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I discuss Chavruta, a valuable lesson that the Torah teaches us. Chavruta means “friend” in Hebrew, but in the Torah, it is interpreted as a learning partner. In life, it’s super important to have someone alongside of you that can help you learn and succeed; simultaneously, you can also learn from them. Examples of a Chavruta in life could be a friend, romantic partner, business partner, or someone you look up to or adm...
#18) Various Jewish Communities In My Life
October 24, 2021 19:00 - 13 minutes - 9.42 MBShalom! In this eighteenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I discuss the establishment of various Jewish communities in my life. I am so thankful to live in a part of the world where there is religious freedom and being Jewish is something that I’m able to be overly open about. Sharing my passion for Judaism with others is super important to me, and I am thrilled to be part of several Jewish communities, where I am able to express my inner Judaism. Listen to this episode to fi...
#17) The Intertwining of Good and Bad in Life
October 24, 2021 17:00 - 17 minutes - 11.7 MBShalom! In this seventeenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I discuss a topic I learned about in Hebrew college: Yetzer Ha-Tov vs. Yetzer Ha-Ra. Your drive to do something good is your inner Yetzer Ha-Tov, which is also known as a positive inclination. Your drive to do something bad is your inner Yetzer Ha-Ra, which is also known as an evil inclination. In this episode, I give multiple examples about these two topics and how they intertwine with each other and how they apply to...
#16) A Joyful Celebration of the Torah
October 03, 2021 18:00 - 7 minutes - 5.36 MBShalom! In this sixteenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I cover the most recent Jewish Holiday, Simchat Torah. The translation of Simchat Torah is “rejoicing in Torah,” which is exactly what this holiday celebrates and consists of. Simchat Torah is filled with happy and loving dancing and singing in the synagogue. All the Torahs are taken out of the arc, and people parade around with them in circles, celebrating the gift of the Torah from G-d. The end of the Book of Deuterono...
#15) Imagine Living In a Hut For Seven Nights
October 03, 2021 17:00 - 10 minutes - 7.15 MBShalom! In this fifteenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I cover the most recent Jewish Holiday, Sukkot. Sukkot represents the many years that the Jews spent in the desert to get to the Promised Land, now known as Israel. The word “sukkot” literally means “hut,” and every year, families come together and build these huts (also called sukkahs) to live in for 8 days and 7 nights. Sukkahs are decorated inside with various colors, hanging ornaments, and any craft that kids make. M...
#14) Fasting All Day Just to Eat Bagels and Lox
September 19, 2021 22:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBShalom! In this fourteenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I discuss the most recent Jewish Holiday, Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is known as “the day of atonement” which marks the end of the 10 days of Repentance that begin on Rosh Hashanah. During these 10 days, Jews try to change God’s perspective on them through prayer, charity, and repentance; this is a time period when Jews can admit to their wrongdoings throughout the year in order to start fresh for the following year. One of...
#13) Apples, Honey, and a Ram’s Horn All on the Same Day
September 09, 2021 22:00 - 11 minutes - 8.15 MBShalom! In this thirteenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I cover the most recent Jewish Holiday, Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of a new year as well as the beginning of the whole world with the creation of Adam and Eve. I go over the typical traditions that families participate in during this holiday like lighting the candles, reciting prayers, attending services, and eating sweet food. Sweet food on Rosh Hashanah such as apples and honey, challah with rais...
#12) Uniting the Jewish People in the Torah Portion, Nitzavim
September 02, 2021 16:00 - 11 minutes - 8.06 MBShalom! In this twelth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk this week’s Torah portion, which is titled “Nitzavim.” It belongs to the book, Deuteronomy, which is one of the five books of the Torah. Nitzavim captures several different topics such as the unity of Israel, redemption of future generations, the mechanics of the Torah, and freedom of choice. I also go over the physical translation of the portion and describe what it actually conveys; I personally interpret the text....
#11) Not Your Typical Ice Cream Themed Bat Mitzvah
August 15, 2021 22:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBShalom! In this eleventh episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about what a bar/bat mitzvah ceremony and celebration consist of as well as specific information about my own bat mitzvah. I discuss my whole experience leading up to the special day along with my emotions and thoughts during and after the big day. Theme, decorations, dress, party favors, candle lighting ceremony, and so much more are covered in this episode! Listen to this episode to find out what my crazy theme w...
#10) Israeli/ Jewish Foods That Will Light Your Taste Buds on Fire
August 04, 2021 17:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBShalom! In this tenth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about various foods that are common throughout Israel, popular foods that Jews prepare and eat, and specific dishes that are unique and traditional in the Jewish culture. There are so many mouthwatering Israeli foods such as sfenj, khachapuri, shawarma, babka, and more! Famous desserts that are popular amongst Jews and will make your tastes buds sing include sufganiyot, hamentashen, challah, mandelbrot, and more! No m...
#9) Breaking Glass Is One of the Many Jewish Traditions
August 02, 2021 14:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBShalom! In this ninth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about various traditions that Jews take part in all over the world as well as some of the traditions that are unique and special to my family and me. I discuss multiple traditions involved in bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings as well as other traditions such as keeping kosher and having a bris as an eight day old Jewish boy. Traditions are unique to every single family which is what makes them so special! Listen to this e...
#8) A Reformed Jew Is Still a Jew
July 29, 2021 13:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBShalom! In this eighth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I go over the three basic levels of Judaism: reformed, conservative, and orthodox. I talk about how they compare and differ from each other as well as provide solid facts about each level. One of the main takeaways from this episode is no matter what level of Judaism you fall under, you are still jewish. Reformed jews are jews. Conservative jews are jews. Orthodox jews are jews. Please subscribe and drop a rating & review...
#7) Jewish Symbols Are Everywhere
July 28, 2021 16:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBShalom! In this seventh episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about various Jewish symbols that people wear directly on them or have inside and outside their homes. There are so many symbols that resonate with Judaism and hold lots of meaning, which is why so many Jewish people wear jewelry that contain all of these symbols. I explain the meaning behind several symbols like the Jewish star of David, hamsa, chai, tree of life, and more! Have you ever wondered why 18 was such a ...
#6) I Bet You Didn’t Know Ashley Tisdale Is Jewish
July 21, 2021 17:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBShalom! In this sixth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about famous people around the world who are Jewish and how they’ve used their platforms to positively influence the Jewish religion. There are so many famous people that are Jewish that I wasn’t aware of before doing my research for this episode, and I bet you all aren’t aware of them either. I go into detail about multiple famous Jews including Bob Saget, Daniel Radcliffe, Ashley Tisdale, Aly Raisman, Adam Sandler a...
#5) Facing Antisemitism as a Teenager
July 15, 2021 00:00 - 13 minutes - 9.3 MBShalom! In this fifth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I talk about how antisemitism has unfortunately impacted my life from a very young age. Although I live in a predominantly Jewish area with several synagogues surrounding my town, I still face acts of antisemitism constantly whether it’s in school, at a store, or simply outside in public. I discuss the gross remarks and stereotypes that Jews face everyday. A particular situation I covered in this episode is how I had to hide...
#4) My Take on the Ten Commandments
May 02, 2021 17:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBShalom! In this fourth episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I discuss the Ten Commandments and the value that they have in Judaism. I narrow it down and focus on three that I feel are the most important: respect your father and mother, you must not lie, and you must not be envious. I talk about why these three commandments are the most important to me and why people should follow them. A quote that I used to support my opinion on envy is “stop comparing yourself; flowers are pretty ...
#3) Jewish Life at Penn State University (feat. Michelle Litvak)
April 25, 2021 21:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBShalom! In this third episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I interview my sister, Michelle, about Jewish life at Penn State! She talks about her experience with Judaism in college and how important it is to keep practicing the Jewish religion past high school. Michelle is an active member at Chabad, and in this episode, she shares numerous stories about her amazing experiences through this organization. Michelle agrees with the statement “wherever you go, there’s always someone Jewi...
#2) My Incredible and Unforgettable Trip to Israel
April 18, 2021 21:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBShalom! In this second episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I share my experience about a two week Israel trip I had the opportunity to go on during my sophomore year of high school! I discuss several places I visited during the trip such as Masada, the Western Wall, the Dead Sea, and so much more! I hope my love for Israel and the amazing experience I had on this trip inspires you to one day take a trip to Israel and see how wonderful the country is for yourself! Please subscribe ...
#1) Introduction & Background Information
April 18, 2021 16:00 - 10 minutes - 7.36 MBShalom! In this first episode of “Nadine’s Vocal Jewish Journal,” I cover some background information about myself and how Judaism has impacted my life. I go over many extracurricular activities that I am part of as well as my involvement in the synagogue! This episode is meant for the audience to get a feel of who I am and how closely I hold Judaism to my heart! Please subscribe and drop a rating & review! I would love to hear some feedback! You can follow my instagram @nadine.litvak a...