Kristin Eriko Posner: Judaism Unbound Episode 214 - Finding A Jewish Voice
Kristin Eriko Posner joins Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg for a conversation about creating multicultural Jewish ritual. Posner is the founder of Nourish Co. [1], a lifestyle brand that help people to come together, heal, connect to their lineage, and remember their rituals. [2] This episode is the sixth in an ongoing series exploring new, old, and new-old approaches to the holiday of Passover.
(0:01 - 22:15): To begin the episode, Posner talks about her search for a spiritual identity as a Japanese-American, and her journey toward becoming a Jew. She remembers hearing Rabbi Benay Lappe speak and realizing from Lappe that she, herself, could have an impact in the Jewish community. [3] Posner recounts how writing about her Japanese-American and Jewish wedding inspired the creation of Nourish Co. [4] Lex mentions the stereotype of the “zealous convert,” and Posner reflects on some of the problematic portrayals of that stereotype in popular culture (particularly on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
(22:15 - 40:49): On the subject of re-imagining Judaism, Dan asks how we can determine the parts of Jewish tradition to hold onto and the parts that could be let go. Posner cites Michael Twitty’s suggestion to take what you need from your past, in order to move forward. [5] Switching gears, Posner talks about Jewish fusion with multiple traditions, and her desire to create heirlooms that can serve as anchors to multiple cultures, not only Jewishness. [6] This reminds Dan of a story about matzah ball soup that could lead us to question ideas of “authenticity.” [7] Posner maintains that we are the ones who make anything authentically Jewish. [8] Lex puts out a call to listeners to worry about authenticity less.
(40:49 - 54:02): Tying the conversation about authenticity back to Passover, Lex notices that people are often more willing to incorporate new elements into Passover seders than they are willing to alter other holiday traditions. Posner looks back on a racial justice seder she developed,[9] and she argues that food can be an act of cultural preservation even if it’s not always made as it was a few generations ago . [10] [11] Posner brings the episode to a close by explaining how creating room for new forms of Jewish culture and ritual has become an important purpose of her life.
Above is the gorgeous meal that Posner mentions, purchased — at a silent auction — by a man she knew through instagram, which he then prepared for his boyfriend!
[1] Join our jewishLIVE Facebook group, and stay tuned for content on our new website, jewishlive.org. At the top of the episode, Dan and Lex take a moment to check in with listeners about the moment we are inhabiting, which necessitates increased social distancing for the sake of public health. They mention their new initiative, jewishLIVE, which is seeking to meet some important needs of communal gathering at this time. jewishLIVE is curating the virtual Jewish content you want and need, all in one place. Visit jewishLIVE.org to learn more, and join the jewishLIVE facebook group by clicking here.
[2] Learn more about Kristin Eriko Posner by clicking here, and explore the Nourish Co. website.
[3] Listen to Benay Lappe’s past appearances on Judaism Unbound, including conversations about her crash theory (Episode 3: Exodus) and Jewish education (Episode 200 - Educating Ourselves).
[4] Read Posner’s piece about putting together a Japanese, American, & Jewish Wedding here.
[5] Learn about Michael Twitty on his food blog Afroculinaria, and listen to his appearance on The Mash-Up Americans.
[6] Posner references a Jewish cookbook she contributed to, entitled Feeding Women of the Bible, Feeding Ourselves: A Jewish Food Hero Cookbook, which you can purchase here.
[7] Learn more about the movie The Two Popes, which Dan alludes to here.
[8] Flavors of Diaspora has a blog post critiquing the idea of “Jewish authenticity” as it relates to food, and generally, entitled “Please Shut Up About Authenticity.” Check it out by clicking here.
[9] Learn about Posner’s racial justice seder here.
[10] Learn more about the Shalon, an idea combining Shabbat and a “salon” (as the name suggests!) here.
[11] Read about Posner’s Tsukimi/High Holy Days Feast here.