Episode 32: Sharing Jewish Joy with Tony J. Westbrook, Jr.
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Jewish Joy
Today we’re excited to share our interview with Jewish educator and social media influencer extraordinaire, Tony J. Westbrook, Jr. You might know him better as @frumjewishblackboy if you’re one of his 39k+ followers on TikTok or Instagram (and if you aren’t yet, we highly recommend it!) Tony talks about the questions that led him on his Jewish journey, blessings as intentions, wisdom as liturgy, combating social media junk with Jewish joy, and more. So take a listen- it’s only 49 TikToks long!
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(0:03) Today’s episode is sponsored by our friends at Temple Beth Abraham in Nashua, New Hampshire.
(1:00) Learn more about Sukkot here.
(1:05) Moadim l’simcha – chagim uzmanim l’sason
מועדים לשמחה – חגים וזמנים לששון
Happy holiday greeting and response used on chol hamoed, the “in-between” days. Learn more by listening to Eliana’s song here!
Follow Tony on tiktok or instagram
Learn more about the Pomegranate Prize here and the Tel Aviv Institute Jewish 100 here.
(13:37) Learn more about Central Reform Congregation here.
(15:53) Learn more about denominational differences in the conversion process here.
(16:03) Learn more about beit din – בית דין – here. Learn more about mikveh – מקוה – here.
(17:19) Learn more about Pardes here.
(17:34) Learn more about Capital Camps here.
(17:45) Learn more about Washington University Hillel here.
(20:22) You can find Mishna Brachot here.
(22:36) Asher yatzar blessing: (from My Jewish Learning)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶת הָאָדָם בְּחָכְמָה, וּבָרָא בוֹ נְקָבִים נְקָבִים חֲלוּלִים חֲלוּלִים .גָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לִפְנֵי כִסֵּא כְבוֹדֶךָ, שֶׁאִם יִפָּתֵחַ אֶחָד מֵהֶם, אוֹ יִסָּתֵם אֶחָד מֵהֶם, אִי אֶפְשַׁר לְהִתְקַיֵּם וְלַעֲמוֹד לְפָנֶיךָ אַפִלּוּ שָׁעָה אֶחָת. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי, רוֹפֵא כָל בָּשָׂר וּמַפְלִיא לַעֲשׂוֹת:”
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, King of the universe, who formed man with wisdom and created within him many openings and many hollow spaces. It is obvious and known before Your Seat of Honor that if even one of them would be opened, or if even one of them would be sealed, it would be impossible to survive and to stand before You even for one hour. Blessed are You, Adonai, who heals all flesh and acts wondrously.
Baruch a-tah ah-doe-nai, elohaynu melech ha-olam, ah-share yah-tzar et ha-ah-dam bih-choch-mah, u-varah bo nih-kah-veem nih-kah-veem, chah-loo-leem chah-loo-leem, gah-loy vih-yah-doo-ah lif-nay kee-say kih-voe-deh-chah, she-eem yih-pah-tay-ach eh-chod may-hem, oh yee-sah-tare eh-chod may-hem, ee ef-shahr lih-hit-kah-yem vih-lah-ah-mode lih-fah-neh-chah ah-fee-loo shah-ahh ehh-chot. Baruch a-tah ah-doe-nail, row-fay kole bah-sahr ooh-moff-lee lah-ah-sote.
(26:56) Machzors – מחזורים – prayer book for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
(31:21) Learn more about kashering dishes here.
(37:18) Learn more about Kippah, Tallit and Tefillin here.
(41:26) Pirkei Avot
(43:08) Learn more about morning blessings here.