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What The Falafel

What The Falafel
What The Falafel
Latest episode

22 episodes

  • What The Falafel

    What Mizrahi Jews Remember About the Arab World | Ciara Shalome

    30/08/2026 | 49 mins.
    In this episode of the What The Falafel podcast, Jodie Brandman sits down with Ciara Shalome, creator of the sensational Instagram page: The Mizrahi Story.

    Ciara has spent years documenting the stories, memories and voices of Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews from across the Middle East and North Africa.We talk about what “Mizrahi” actually means, the discrimination many Mizrahi Jews experienced after arriving in Israel, and the complicated reality of Jewish life across countries like Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Yemen and Morocco.

    Ciara talks openly about how she used to see the world in black and white, and how listening to people who actually lived through these experiences completely changed the way she thinks.

    This is a conversation about Jewish identity, memory, culture, propaganda, social media, polarisation, Muslim-Jewish relationships, and the importance of being willing to see the grey… because history and people are layered.

    If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to What The Falafel and come join us for more conversations about Jewish life, culture, identity, achievement, spirituality and the things that make us proud to be part of this crazy, brilliant tribe!

    → Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

    → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

    → Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

    → Find Ciara: https://www.instagram.com/themizrahistory/Sponsors:

    → Contemporary Judaica:
    https://contemporaryjudaica.co.uk
    Showroom by appointment: 58 Crewys Road, NW2 2AD

    → Presteez bars:
    https://urlgeni.us/amazon/10falafel
    Use code Falafel10 for 10% off!

    Chapters:00:00 What is Mizrahi?08:29 Contemporary Judaica09:40 Discrimination14:33 Ciaras Story, Yemenite and Baghdadi Jews22:31 Presteez23:02 Nuances and Scrolling29:06 The current climate32:12 A Jew and the Quran35:52 Stories1ZOUIIDKKIWW7318
  • What The Falafel

    She Broke The Rules To Save A 100-Year-Old Jewish Bakery | Jennifer Rinkoff

    19/08/2026 | 38 mins.
    In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Jennifer Rinkoff, a 4th generation baker from the famous Jewish East End Bakery, Rinkoffs.
    We cover everything from the bakery's family history to how Jennifer fought her way in as a female and transformed the bakery with viral “Crodoughs".
    Jennifer shares stories from her childhood and what it’s like to be a Rinkoff, and shows off her brand-new cookbook as we taste our way through some recipes!
    → Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/ → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/
    → Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/
    → Visit the Rinkoff website: https://www.rinkoffs.co.uk→ Find Rinkoff: https://www.instagram.com/rinkoffsbakery/?hl=en→ Get the recipe book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jewish-Bakery-Family-Recipes-Londons/dp/1837836078
    Chapters:00:00 Family Foundations 10:00 Joining the business 16:38 Eating crodoughs! 22:00 Extended family business 27:26 The Book
  • What The Falafel

    The Truth About Growing Up In A Religious Jewish Community | Chaya of London

    20/07/2026 | 57 mins.
    In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Jewish content creator and mum of 3, Chaya of London, for a fun and heartfelt conversation!

    From her life in London and LA to her Chabad upbringing Chaya talks about the key moments in her life.

    We cover everything from religious marital pressures to building her Jewish home with her kids. This episode will have you feeling proud and inspired!

    → Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/
    → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

    → Partnered with Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews/

    → Find Chaya: https://www.instagram.com/chayaoflondon/
    → Shop the Jewellery: https://www.instagram.com/ellayaofficial/

    Sponsors:
    → Menachems Kosher Butcher: https://www.instagram.com/menachems_glatt_butchers/https://menachems.co.uk/

    → Phone and Learn https://www.phoneandlearn.org/https://www.instagram.com/phoneandlearn/

    → Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/.

    Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/
  • What The Falafel

    The Man Who Created Nova: A Story of Survival, Community and Hope | Ofir Amir

    24/06/2026 | 1h 31 mins.
    In the most powerful episode to date, Jodie Brandman sits down with Ofir Amir, Co-founder, producer, and survivor of the Nova Festival.

    Before October 7th, Ofir was building an incredible community alongside music festivals, all promoting connection and kindness at the core.

    At 6.29am on October 7th, everything changed.

    Fleeing from the Nova massacre, Ofir was shot by terrorists and had to watch one of his best friends die next to him, all the while trying to protect his pregnant wife at home who hiding in a bomb shelter.

    Ofir shows us what it means to be resilient. He has gone on to create the Nova Exhibition (which is in London until June 15th), and the Tribe of Nova, an entire community supporting survivors and their families.

    This episode needs to be watched by everyone.

    A massive thank you to Ofir for sharing his story.

    Please donate to The Tribe of Nova to help continue his incredible work: http://bit.ly/4eUFnRt

    → Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/
    → Host: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

    → Partnered with The Jewish News: https://www.instagram.com/jewishnews

    → https://novaexhibition.com/london-exhibition
    → https://www.tribeofnova.com/
  • What The Falafel

    How The Kosher Food Scene is Going Viral | Romy Kosher

    07/05/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
    In this episode of What The Falafel, Jodie Brandman sits down with Romy Kosher for a food filled chat!

    From discussing how Romy went Kosher in Israel to what excites her about kosher London restaurants, you do NOT want to watch this when you’re hungry!!

    We also find out all about Romy’s life supporting families with dementia, and her plans for travelling the world eating!

    → Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wtfalafelpodcast/

    → Find Jodie: https://www.instagram.com/jodiebrandman/

    → Find Romy:
    https://www.instagram.com/romykosher/
    Dementia care:
    → https://mindkeepers.co.uk/Sponsors:Discover:

    This episode is sponsored by:
    → Datekin - https://datekin.co.uk/
    → Kosher Kingdom - 7 Russell Gardens, Golders Green Rd, London NW11 9NN

    → Special thanks to Balagan for their AMAZING food! Find their restaurant in Borehamwood and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/balaganuk/.
    Pop into their store and say “What the Falafel” at checkout to get 10% off! https://www.balaganborehamwood.co.uk/

    Chapters:
    00:00 Eating & Best Restaurants
    03:10 Sponsor: Datekin
    03:44 Getting started
    14:00 Home life
    18:10 Travel
    21:40 Going kosher
    27:48 Food delivery
    35:40 Going to Israel
    35:57 Sponsor: Kosher Kingdom
    39:30 Content creation
    43:43 Dementia
    51:12 Social Media
More Judaism podcasts
About What The Falafel
What the Falafel is the podcast that brings BIG Jewish energy, hilarious and heartfelt conversations and a sprinkle of chutzpah to your life! Created and hosted by Jodie Brandman, in partnership with The Jewish News this podcast is where Jewish culture, identity, humour and personal growth collide! Expect interviews with comedians, creators, chefs, activists and more... all Jewish, all amazing, all here to share their stories in a way that's REAL! We're here to show all the different, wild parts of being Jewish so hit subscribe and join the FUN!!
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