Episode #60: “Belonging” – a Fall Party Preview

Ready to kick off our 14th season? We sure are! JOIN US on October 10 for our special event, Welcome Back(ish) Fall Party @ 1:30 pm PT / 4:30 pm ET Live on Zoom.

On this episode, hear a brand new recording of “Belonging,” a story that debuted at our 2020 fall party, written and performed by Joshua Reuben Silverstein who is writing a brand new piece for the October 10 event. To hear that one, get your tickets today! And don’t forget to add some raffle tickets at checkout for a chance to win some BIG gift cards from Apple, Amazon, Williams-Sonoma and more.

Episode #60: “Belonging” – a Fall Party Preview2021-09-21T12:56:02-07:00

Episode #49: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 2 – Interview with Sionne Elise

Part 2 of our previewing the 2nd Salon of our season, Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century, which was abruptly postponed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, “The Show Must Go On!” as they say and we’re bringing these dangerous, outrageous, and oftentimes tender stories of the carnal sort to you via Zoom! June 27-29, you can join us for live performances of our latest Salon.

Those with Subscriptions and previously purchased tickets can attend for free – if you don’t have any tickets yet, you can CLICK HERE to purchase for $20.

On today’s episode, a conversation recorded with actor/musician Sionne Elise, recorded way back in a time before COVID-19, early March of 2020. Assistant Artistic Director Andrew Fromer sat down with Sionne to chat about her rising acting career (check her out as Phoebe in Lifetime’s soon-to-be-released Killer Cheerleader) and more! Including a preview performance of her piece from the Salon, “Not Going Anywhere.”

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #49: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 2 – Interview with Sionne Elise2020-06-25T12:35:54-07:00

Episode #48: Audio Replay of Sex, Addiction & Love Art Talk

In case you missed it, JWT’s Artistic Director, Ronda Spinak, talks with our featured visual artists, Sarah Hadley and Ellen Cantor about their work and process.

CLICK HERE for a video replay of the event so you can see the beautiful artwork!

“Sarah Hadley exhibits images that depict intimate female joys, sorrows, dreams and desires…Ellen Cantor begins with photographs that illustrate the past – but she also focuses our attention on universal human emotions.” -dnj Gallery Owner & Curator Pamela Schoenberg Catch the companion JWT Salon Show of the same name June 27-29. DETAILS BELOW!

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #48: Audio Replay of Sex, Addiction & Love Art Talk2020-06-23T17:14:49-07:00

Episode #47: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 1 – Interview with Robin Russin

We’re back!! Our 2nd Salon of the season, Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century was abruptly postponed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, “The Show Must Go On!” as they say and we’re bringing these dangerous, outrageous, and oftentimes tender stories of the carnal sort to you via Zoom! June 27-29, you can join us for live performances of our latest Salon.

Those with Subscriptions and previously purchased tickets can attend for free – if you don’t have any tickets yet, you can CLICK HERE to purchase for $20.

On today’s episode, a conversation recorded with writer Robin Uriel Russin, recorded way back in a time before COVID-19, early March of 2020. Assistant Artistic Director Andrew Fromer sat down with Robin to chat about his multifaceted career as a filmmaker, teacher, writer (and more!) and to discuss Robin’s piece featured in Sex, Addiction & Love, titled “The Rose of Sharon.”

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #47: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 1 – Interview with Robin Russin2020-06-22T14:47:44-07:00

Episode #44: Audio Replay of Jewish Nonprofits Event

In case you missed it, this is your chance to learn about three remarkable Jewish nonprofit organizations from across the county that you might not be familiar with, but definitely should be! Join us for an informative and inspiring discussion, plus a live performance from one of JWT’s most popular shows, “The Accidental Activist.” And it’s coming to you live from New York, Atlanta and Mississippi. Panelists are:

* Naomi Firestone-Teeter – Executive Director, Jewish Book Council
* David Raphael – Co-Founder and CEO, Jewish Grandparents Network
* Michele Schipper – CEO, Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life

Click Here to Register for our next Sunday Morning at the Braid Virtual Event, Rabinnic Soul Sisters! May 31st at 11:00 am PST

Episode #44: Audio Replay of Jewish Nonprofits Event2020-05-19T15:07:44-07:00

Episode #43: Audio Replay of Creative Couples Event

In case you missed it, Angella Nazarian dives into the stories of 15 couples who motivate one another, change their lives, and who have left an unparalleled mark on the world of literature, philosophy, and art due to their collaborations. From intellectuals and activists Martin and Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the mysterious Queen Elizabeth 11 and Prince Philip, Nazarian highlights how each couple’s relationship enables them to reach greater heights in their respective fields. Join us for this special discussion PLUS:

-An interview with lawyer couple Nicole Kelly & Josh Ezrin
-An original JWT dramatic piece about Martin and Ruth Bader Ginsburg!
-Q&A with our guests

Discover how your relationships can motivate, nourish and transform you!.

Join us for our next Sunday Morning at The Braid event, May 17th at 11:00 am PDT Jewish Nonprofits: Making Mitzvot Across America Click here to register!

Want to watch a video replay of this event? Click here!

Episode #43: Audio Replay of Creative Couples Event2020-05-04T13:53:42-07:00

Episode #39: Getting Good at Getting Older with Rabbi Laura Geller

Happy Hannukah! On today’s episode, we welcome Rabbi Emerita Laura Geller to discuss her incredible book, Getting Good at Getting Older – she was the third member of our panel from a recent Sunday Morning at the Braid event and her insights were not to be missed! So Lisa and Maureen sat down with Rabbi Geller to hear her gems of wisdom and share them with you, our podcast audience.

Click Here to purchase a copy of her book on Amazon

ABOUT RABBI GELLER
Rabbi Emerita Laura Geller of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, was one of the first women rabbis ordained in the U.S. and the first to lead a major metropolitan synagogue. Twice named one of Newsweek’s “50 Most Influential Rabbis in America,” she was featured in the PBS documentary Jewish Americans. Rabbi Geller is the author of numerous articles and books and was on the editorial board of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary. She is a Fellow of the Corporation of Brown University,
from which she graduated in 1971. One of her recent initiatives is, “Next Stage: Boomers and Beyond” and she is a founder of the first synagogue based ChaiVillageLA, which is part of the national Village Movement (chaivillagela.org). With her late husband Richard Siegel, author of The Jewish Catalog, Rabbi Geller authored the just-published book, Getting Good at Getting Older: A Practical Catalog Grounded in Jewish Wisdom.

For more info on Rabbi Geller and her book, head to rabbilaurageller.com

Episode #39: Getting Good at Getting Older with Rabbi Laura Geller2019-12-22T19:52:13-08:00

Episode #34: Season 12 Preview with Ronda and Susan

CLICK HERE to buy your 2020 Subscription!

A show exploring mental illness – a collection of outrageous stories of the carnal sort – incredible life-changing moments. These are set to be shared in JWT’s inspiring 12th Salon Season! On today’s episode, JWT Artistic Director Ronda Spinak and JWT Producing Director Susan Morgenstern return to discuss what has them excited for this year’s 3-Salon Season which is sure to be our best season yet! Hear about the excitement shared when a writer reveals a secret for the first time on our stage, what we can look forward to in each Salon and what does it mean for a JWT piece to “marinate.”

Subscriptions are on sale now, click to buy!

Want more info on Salon Theatre? Check out this video.

Episode #34: Season 12 Preview with Ronda and Susan2019-09-18T11:34:06-07:00

Episode #23: Monica Piper in Not That Jewish

Happy Hannukah! Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and comedian Monica Piper (bio below) joins Lisa and Maureen for a very special holiday episode of the JWT Podcast, giving listeners a tantalizing preview of her incredible one woman show, Not That Jewish, now playing at The Braid in Santa Monica after a triumphant run Off Broadway. Ever wonder what it means to have a Jewish heart? Or how about how did Monica go from English teacher to award-winning comedy writer/performer/producer? Have a listen and find out…

Click here for more info on Not That Jewish

MONICA PIPER was a Campfire Girl … in the Bronx.  “You sense your life isn’t normal when you’re sitting on the D train with a bag of marshmallows and a twig.”

Monica began her career as a high school English teacher. While finding it rewarding, she had to move on. “I couldn’t handle the money and prestige.” Realizing her passion was making people laugh, she studied improv with Second City in Chicago and performed with the Wing and Papaya Juice in San Francisco. She then went solo as a stand-up and soon became one of Showtime Network’s Comedy All Stars. It wasn’t long before she landed her own Cable Ace Award–winning Showtime special, No, Monica, Just You, and was nominated for an American Comedy Award as one of the top five female comedians in the country. Monica was recruited by Ms. Barr herself to write on Roseanne, after which she went on to write for Mad About You and Veronica’s Closet

Monica was now a mother, and sitcom hours meant too much time away from her son, so she turned to animation. After writing for the adult cult favorite Duckman, she became head writer of the #1 children’s animated series Rugrats, for which she won an Emmy. She then developed and wrote series for Nickelodeon, Disney, and Cartoon Network.

Monica returned to her first love, performing. As a stand-up, she headlines fundraising events for organizations including the City of Hope, the Jewish Federation, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Brandeis Committee, and the Premiere Oncology Foundation, as well as Jewish groups nationwide. 

Monica also works in the corporate world as a motivational comedian. As a breast cancer survivor, she inspires audiences everywhere to lose the stress and Find the Funny in their personal and professional lives.

An artist-in-residence with Jewish Women’s Theatre, Monica performs original pieces for their At-Homes Salon Theatre Series and is eternally grateful to JWT and Gail Solo for commissioning her critically acclaimed one-woman play, Not That Jewish, which earned an LA Drama Critics Circle nomination for Best Solo Performance of 2015. Monica is thrilled to bring Not That Jewish back to LA after its hit seven-month run off-Broadway.

Monica recently enjoyed playing the role of Bess Myerson in Barra Grant’s Miss America’s Ugly Daughter at the Broad Stage Edye Theater in Santa Monica.

Monica lives in Santa Monica with her dog, cat, and son, Jake, whom she loves and adores “almost every day.”

Episode #23: Monica Piper in Not That Jewish2019-02-19T19:15:53-08:00

Episode #16: My Bad, My Good (Abridged)

Opening Song:
I’ll Raise My Voice
Music and Lyrics by Rachel Gold
Performed by Bobby Conte-Thornton, Rachel Gold, Ellie Fishman, and Alex Prakken with pianist Eric Fegan, from the song cycle SONGS FROM FARAWAY PLACES
On today’s episode, we revisit another beloved show from JWT’s past, featuring more honest, revealing and funny confessions from millennials of pivotal moments in life – learning to love, settling the score, figuring out what makes someone Jewish, and other stories in this one-of-a-kind show that will make you rethink your views about a new generation!The pieces featured in this episode are:

A Jewish Pastry
Written by Anna Forward
Performed by Lisa Cirincione and Sean Topps

Father in Me
Written by Paul Versten
Performed by Sean Topps

Motherly Love
Written by Lili Nanus
Performed by Matisse Rose and Arva Rose

The Designated Mourner
Written by Lizzie Shackney
Performed by Mirai Booth-Ong

Closing song:

Throw Out
Music and lyrics by Pontea Banayan
Recorded and Performed by Pontea Banayan

Material Adapted and Produced by Ronda Spinak
Directed by Susan Morgenstern
Assistant Director 
Lisa Cirincione
JWT Producer Jodie Mendelson
House Producers Elana Polan, Josh Hillinger and Sam Mandel

We’d also like to thank NuRoots, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and Moishe House for their support and partnership

Click for more info on My Bad, My Good

 

Episode #16: My Bad, My Good (Abridged)2018-07-01T08:54:02-07:00