Something In The Water with Rachel Meyerowitz

Finding Freedom in Discipline, with Valéria Kuna

"Something in the Water" shares the story of Budapest's Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, I speak with soon to be Rabbi Valéria Kuna about her journey to Jewish spiritual leadership, which began in the world of classical music! A serious cellist from a young age, Valeria was immersed in discipline and ritual. Those values guide her today in a life rooted in faith, spirituality, and community building, with music continuing to play a central role in her Jewish practice. Enjoy! Mentioned: Szim Shalom Reform Congregation [https://www.sim-shalom.org/] Valeria's Restaurant Recommendations: Cafe Tamar [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g274887-d25292201-Reviews-Cafe_Tamar-Budapest_Central_Hungary.html] Hummus Bar [https://hummusbar.eu/] Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com [rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com]

Meaning Between the Cracks, with Barna Szász

“Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, Barna Szász reflects on how he is bringing his Stanford MFA and teaching experience back to Hungary differently than anticipated. Orbán’s government infiltrated civil society and left no place for Szász in the institutions he was once devoted to. Instead of stepping back, Szász founded something new: “If These Streets Could Talk” is an augmented reality experience which makes the history of Budapest's Jewish quarter come to life in never before seen ways. This method of storytelling changes the way people interact with each other and the space around them, and it's all happening here in Hungary. Listen for more! Mentioned If These Streets Could Talk [https://if-these-streets.org/] Landecker Digital Holocaust Memory Lab [https://www.digitalmemorylab.com/] Barna's Restaurant Recommendations: Gettó Gulyás [https://www.instagram.com/getto.gulyas/] Koleves [https://kolevesvendeglo.hu/restaurant/] Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com [rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com]

Leaving the Ivory Tower, with Szonja Komoróczy

“Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, yiddishist and historian Szonja Komoróczy reflects on the power of bringing academic studies into everyday life and the work of community building. We discuss the ways she equips the community with substantiated knowledge and then “lets go," trusting individuals to shape their own identities and communities. Mentioned: Jewish University in Budapest [https://or-zse.hu/en/] Lauder Javne School [https://www.lauder.hu/index_en.html] Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

The Haver We Made Along The Way, an Interview with Anikó Félix

“Something in the Water” shares the story of Budapest’s Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. In this episode, Dr. Anikó Félix explains the evidence-backed methodology behind Haver Foundation’s work to prevent antisemitism. Haver means friend in both Hungarian and Hebrew, and personal encounters between Jewish and non-Jewish students are at the heart of what Haver does. A highlight of the conversation is the insight that these encounters are strongest when volunteer educators themselves are grappling with their Jewish identities, or even disagree with one another about what it means to be Jewish. Listen to find out why. Mentioned: Haver Informal Education Foundation [https://haver.hu/en/] Anikó's Restaurant Recommendations: Macesz Bistro [https://www.facebook.com/maceszhuszar/?locale=hu_HU] Rosenstein [https://rosenstein.hu/] Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.

Applied Art of Existence, An Interview with Dr. Gábor Balázs

"Something in the Water" shares the story of Budapest's Jewish Community through interviews with the individuals who shape it. Dr. Gábor Balázs, Director of Budapest's Jewish University, shares the power of the University to put multiculturalism into action. We also explore his journey through earlier leadership roles in Jewish communal institutions and how he navigates observance in a largely secular environment. Gábor's blend as a scholar and community-minded leader make this conversation especially rich. Mentioned: Jewish University in Budapest [https://or-zse.hu/] Lauder Javne School [https://www.lauder.hu/index_en.html] Merkaz - Israeli Cultural Institute [https://izraelikultura.hu/en/home/] JCC Budapest - Bálint Ház [https://friendsofjccbudapest.org/] Budapest Jewish and Israeli Film Festival [https://zsifi.org/en/] Thoughts? Feedback? Email me at rmeyerowitz1@gmail.com.