Ayuni: Voices of our Jewish Grandmothers

Bonus Episode: Heritage Words with Dr. Sarah Bunin Benor

We are so glad that you have been enjoying Ayuni: Voices of our Jewish Grandmothers. While we're on hiatus preparing season 2 we want to introduce you to another wonderful podcast bringing to life and memory voices of our past. The podcast Heritage Words helps preserve and promote Jewish languages that may be lesser known, many of which are becoming extinct. As an example we share here an episode from Heritage Words. We look forward to hearing your stories while we are creating the next season. This episode of Heritage Words features Dr. Karen Skinazi, who explores her diverse linguistic heritage, tracing words and expressions from her Ashkenazi mother's Yiddish-speaking background, including terms like "eggies" and "zei gezunt". She also delves into her Sephardic Egyptian-Israeli father's influence, discussing Arabic words like "do'a" and "howaga," a French children's rhyme, and Hebrew expressions. Heritage Words - conversations about the words we inherit and the meaning they bring to our lives - is produced by the HUC Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect. Host and producer: Sarah Bunin Benor Assistant producer: Kyle Elbaz Fingerhut Editor: Avishay Artsy Video editor: Talia Ehrenberg Theme music: Maurice El Medioni’s French and Algerian Judeo-Arabic album “Cafe Oran,” featuring the Klezmatics’ David Krakauer and Frank London, courtesy of Piranha Records.

Episode 8: Women as Protectors

February 5, 2026 – 18 Shevat 5786   Episode Summary In this episode we tell of stories that have been passed down in our families of courageous acts by women at varying points in their lives. They serve as role models for us today as we navigate a new world but with equal opportunities to show strength and courage.   Enjoyed this episode?  Please like, comment, or leave a review on your podcast platform or send us an email at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your encouragement helps us carry these ancestral stories into the world — story by story, grandmother by grandmother.   Share Your Story Every family holds a universe of memory. If you’ve carried a song, a story, a proverb, a photograph, a silence — we welcome you to share it with us at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your voice becomes part of our collective archive. Email us at ayunivoices@gmail.com [ayunivoices@gmail.com] so we can feature your story on a future episode.   Stay Connected - Instagram: @ayuni_voices - YouTube: @JewishUnityDiversity   Support Our Voices Ayuni is a labor of heart and heritage. - Become a supporter: If you believe in preserving the lived stories of Middle Eastern and North African Jewish women, please consider supporting this work. Your contribution helps us document what was almost forgotten — and amplify what must be remembered. -   Sponsor an episode: We partner with individuals and organizations who honor storytelling, heritage, and women’s voices. If you’d like to sponsor an episode in memory of a grandmother or in celebration of your family's story, please reach out at ayunivoices@gmail.com.   Theme music by Oshrat Haim

Episode 7: We Sing, Thereby We Preserve

January 29, 2026 – 11 Shevat 5786   Episode Summary In this episode we explore the world of women’s songs, often sung in the local Jewish dialect. We delve into the meanings of the words of the songs as well as the significance in the act of women singing. It is an discovery of a rich culture through song.   Enjoyed this episode?  Please like, comment, or leave a review on your podcast platform or send us an email at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your encouragement helps us carry these ancestral stories into the world — story by story, grandmother by grandmother.   Share Your Story Every family holds a universe of memory. If you’ve carried a song, a story, a proverb, a photograph, a silence — we welcome you to share it with us at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your voice becomes part of our collective archive. Email us at ayunivoices@gmail.com [ayunivoices@gmail.com] so we can feature your story on a future episode.   * Become a supporter: Your contribution helps us document what was almost forgotten — and amplify what must be remembered. www.tinyurl.com/JuNiTDiDonate  * Sponsor an episode: reach out at ayunivoices@gmail.com.  Thank you to Oshrat Haim for the opening vocals. You can see Oshrat on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQURf3eoiUUD3hMqC4Ey0QA Instagram, Facebook, and Apple Music. Stay Connected - Instagram: @ayunivoices - YouTube: @JewishUnityDiversity - Jewish Unity Through Diversity registration: https://www.unitytdiversity.com/contact-donations

Episode 6: Shabbat, Like Women, Centers the Family

January 15, 2026 – 26 Tevet 5786   Episode Summary In this episode we dive into Shabbat memories from our homes to the homes of our ancestors. We discuss the preparations, scents ant he meaning of this day – then and now.   Enjoyed this episode?  Please like, comment, or leave a review on your podcast platform or send us an email at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your encouragement helps us carry these ancestral stories into the world — story by story, grandmother by grandmother.   Share Your Story Every family holds a universe of memory. If you’ve carried a song, a story, a proverb, a photograph, a silence — we welcome you to share it with us at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your voice becomes part of our collective archive. Email us at ayunivoices@gmail.com [ayunivoices@gmail.com] so we can feature your story on a future episode.   Stay Connected - Instagram: @ayuni_voices - YouTube: @JewishUnityDiversity   Support Our Voices Ayuni is a labor of heart and heritage. - Become a supporter: If you believe in preserving the lived stories of Middle Eastern and North African Jewish women, please consider supporting this work. Your contribution helps us document what was almost forgotten — and amplify what must be remembered. -   Sponsor an episode: We partner with individuals and organizations who honor storytelling, heritage, and women’s voices. If you’d like to sponsor an episode in memory of a grandmother or in celebration of your family's story, please reach out at ayunivoices@gmail.com.   Theme music by Oshrat Haim

Episode 5: Evil Eye Practices - Finding Control in the Uncontrollable

January 8, 2026 – 19 Tevet 5786 In this episode we explore memories of our grandmothers’ evil eye rituals and search for meaning in those practices for today. While Sarah grew up with these rituals close to home, and in her home, Dalya shares that her family’s connection to such practices were only brought to her attention recently. It’s an interesting discussion that takes part in a larger conversation of the meeting of East and West. Enjoyed this episode?  Please like, comment, or leave a review on your podcast platform or send us an email at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your encouragement helps us carry these ancestral stories into the world — story by story, grandmother by grandmother. Share Your Story Every family holds a universe of memory. If you’ve carried a song, a story, a proverb, a photograph, a silence — we welcome you to share it with us at ayunivoices@gmail.com Your voice becomes part of our collective archive. Email us at ayunivoices@gmail.com [ayunivoices@gmail.com] so we can feature your story on a future episode. Stay Connected - Instagram: @ayuni_voices [https://www.instagram.com/ayuni_voices/] - YouTube: @JewishUnityDiversity [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe9MY0_QNmDqYlsxxufTPOLRpoXYCeBSA] Support Our Voices Ayuni is a labor of heart and heritage. - Become a supporter: If you believe in preserving the lived stories of Middle Eastern and North African Jewish women, please consider supporting this work. Your contribution helps us document what was almost forgotten — and amplify what must be remembered. -   Sponsor an episode: We partner with individuals and organizations who honor storytelling, heritage, and women’s voices. If you’d like to sponsor an episode in memory of a grandmother or in celebration of your family's story, please reach out at ayunivoices@gmail.com.   Theme music by Oshrat Haim