Jump to content

Treyf (podcast): Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Added an infobox
Monkbot (talk | contribs)
Bots
3,695,952 edits
m Task 20: replace {lang-??} templates with {langx|??} ‹See Tfd› (Replaced 1);
 
(85 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Canadian Jewish podcast}}
{{Infobox podcast
{{Infobox podcast
| title = Treyf
| title = Treyf
| image = Treyf Podcast.png
| host = David Zinman and Sam Bick
| host = David Zinman and Sam Bick
| genre = {{flatlist|1=
| genre = {{flatlist|1=
*[[Religion and spirituality podcast]]
*[[Political podcast]]
*[[Political podcast]]
*[[Judaism]]
*[[Judaism]]
Line 9: Line 10:
}}
}}
| language = English
| language = English
⚫
| num_episodes = 95
| updates = Bi-weekly
| length = 30–45 Minutes
| num_seasons = 1
⚫
| num_episodes = 50
| began = July 21, 2015
| began = July 21, 2015
| provider = [[CKUT-FM]]
| provider = [[CKUT-FM]]
| related_shows = {{flatlist|1=
*[[Judaism Unbound]]
*[[Unorthodox (podcast)|Unorthodox]]
}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.treyfpodcast.com/}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.treyfpodcast.com/}}
}}
}}


'''''Treyf''''' ({{langx|yi|טרייף}}) is a politically left-wing Jewish podcast hosted by Sam Bick and David Zinman. According to their website, "Treyf is an [[Libertarian socialism|anarchist]] Jewish podcast recorded in occupied [[Mohawk people#Kanienʼkehá:ka communities|Tio'tia:ke]] ([[Montreal]]). The show features discussions about politics and history from a leftist Jewish perspective."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=About the Show|url=https://www.treyfpodcast.com/about-the-show/|access-date=2022-10-29|archive-date=2024-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807141249/https://www.treyfpodcast.com/about-the-show/|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Treyf''' is a Jewish podcast.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Images|first=Getty|title=Why Are So Many Jewish Podcasts So Bad — And What Can We Do About It?|url=https://forward.com/culture/388471/why-are-so-many-jewish-podcasts-so-bad-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=The Forward|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-09-13|title=Top Ten Jewish Podcasts: Reader Edition|url=https://momentmag.com/top-ten-jewish-podcasts-reader-edition/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Moment Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-15|title=Weinfeld: In praise of radical Jewish anarchist radio|url=https://thecjn.ca/perspectives/opinions/weinfeld-in-praise-of-radical-jewish-anarchist-radio/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=The Canadian Jewish News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-27|title=How Jewish Media Excludes Jewish Voices|url=https://www.canadaland.com/jewish-media-excludes-jewish-voices/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=CANADALAND|language=en-US}}</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==

The title of the podcast, [[Treyf]], is a [[Yiddish]] word that means "Not [[Kosher]]".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-12-24|title=Canadian Jewish Podcaster Wants Nothing To Do With Religion|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/12/24/treyf-on-congregation-young-jewish-podcasters-talk-racism-ditching-religion-and-being-genderqueer_a_23315432/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Feb 13|first=Julia Métraux|last2=Share|first2=2019 14 min read|title=The new Jewish left|url=https://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/the-new-jewish-left|access-date=2022-01-05|website=briarpatchmagazine.com|language=en}}</ref> The show interviewed [[David Gilbert (activist)|David Gilbert]] from [[Weather Underground]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Office Hours: David Gilbert|url=https://jewishcurrents.org/office-hours-david-gilbert|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Jewish Currents|language=en}}</ref> The podcast has opposed the far-right Jewish group called the [[Jewish Defense League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Protesters Shut Down Jewish Defense League at World Social Forum {{!}} News|url=https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/protesters-shut-down-jewish-defense-league-at-world-social-forum|access-date=2022-01-05|website=thelinknewspaper.ca|language=en}}</ref> The show has opposed [[Birthright Israel]], an organization that organizes trips to Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Not my birthright: Free trips to Israel come at a cost|url=https://ricochet.media/en/2458|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Ricochet}}</ref> Zinman believes that anti-Zionism does not make someone anti-Jewish.<ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=https://curve.carleton.ca/system/files/etd/2aeddef3-06a0-4b8e-8504-367caf8edd17/etd_pdf/e1526cce1ce4d46bb39410dd84ca3634/bueckert-boycottsandbacklashcanadianoppositiontoboycott.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> David Zinman and Sam Bick were interviewed on [[Canadaland]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=#177 Being Jewish In Public|url=https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/being-jewish-in-public/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=CANADALAND|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Canada|first=Independent Jewish Voices|date=2017-03-31|title=Canadian Jewish News shows its chutzpah by justifying censorship of progressive Jewish voices|url=https://rabble.ca/anti-racism/canadian-jewish-news-shows-its-chutzpah-justifying-censorship/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=rabble.ca|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Actualités étudiantes : Law {{!}} Focus online|url=https://publications.mcgill.ca/droit/2017/04/10/actualites-etudiantes/|access-date=2022-01-05|language=en}}</ref> They also did an interview with JewSchool.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-03|title=Interview: Who's Behind Treyf Podcast? · Jewschool|url=https://jewschool.com/interview-whos-behind-treyf-podcast-76097|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Jewschool|language=en-US}}</ref> The podcast interviewed Les Tager.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Torontoist|date=2017-06-15|title=Toronto's Jewish Left is Alive and Well and Resisting Extremism|url=https://torontoist.com/2017/06/torontos-jewish-left-alive-well-resisting-extremism/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Torontoist}}</ref> They also did an interview with IJV.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IJV Presents: The Firestarter Chats|url=https://www.ijvcanada.org/firestarterchats/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Independent Jewish Voices Canada|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rincon|first=Gabriel|date=2016-10-03|title=Independent Jewish Voices launches at McGill|url=https://www.mcgilldaily.com/2016/10/independent-jewish-voices-launches-at-mcgill/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=The McGill Daily|language=en-US}}</ref> The podcast is recorded in Montreal at [[CKUT-FM]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Larson|first=Peter|date=2017-08-01|title=What’s up with Treyf – “a debatably Jewish podcast”?|url=https://canadatalksisraelpalestine.ca/2017/08/01/whats-up-with-treyf-a-debatably-jewish-podcast/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Canada Talks Israel/Palestine|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=treyf {{!}} CKUT 90.3 FM|url=https://ckut.ca/en/content/treyf|access-date=2022-01-05|website=ckut.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-11|title=Anti-Zionism in your earbuds — Help support the Treyf podcast|url=https://mondoweiss.net/2017/05/zionism-earbuds-support/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Mondoweiss|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=http://schoolschmool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/FINAL-SCHOOL-SCHMOOL-2018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The show hosted a workshop in Toronto.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Treyf in Toronto|url=https://www.winchevskycentre.org/treyf-in-toronto|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Winchevsky Centre|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-27|title=Dismantling Anti-Semitism with TREYF|url=http://theprincetonprogressive.com/dismantling-anti-semitism-with-treyf/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=the PROG|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=N. O. W.|title=Workshop On Anti-Semitism|url=https://nowtoronto.com/events/workshop-on-anti-semitism|access-date=2022-01-05|website=NOW Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Diversity Committee Community Calendar – March 2018 – Friends of Salmon Bay|url=https://www.friendsofsalmonbay.org/2018/03/02/diversity-committee-community-calendar-march-2018/|access-date=2022-01-05|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=https://bobst.princeton.edu/sites/bobst/files/bobstnewsletter-2020_9-16_spia.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Last-Minute Plans: 95 Free, Cheap & Easy Things To Do in Seattle This Weekend: March 2-4, 2018|url=https://everout.com/seattle/articles/last-minute-plans-95-free-cheap-easy-things-to-do-in-seattle-this-weekend-march-2-4-2018/c2024/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=EverOut Seattle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Deconstructing Anti-Semitism with Treyf Podcast's Sam and David|url=https://jvpchicago.org/calendar/2018/2/11/deconstructing-anti-semitism-with-treyf-podcasts-sam-and-david|access-date=2022-01-05|website=JVP Chicago|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Deconstructing Anti-Semitism: A Workshop with TREYF|url=https://www.ubyssey.ca/event/e4c024e5-e657-4912-ae25-3feba66fa400/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=The Ubyssey|language=en}}</ref> The hosts signed a petition opposing the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-08|title=Artists and Academics in Montréal Oppose Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement in Stand for Palestinian Rights|url=https://bdsmovement.net/news/artists-and-academics-montreal-oppose-canada-israel-free-trade-agreement-stand-for-palestinian|access-date=2022-01-05|website=BDS Movement|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=A Montréal si oppongono all'accordo di libero scambio tra Canada e Israele|url=https://bdsitalia.org/index.php/ultime-notizie-bac/2634-canada-artisi-accademici-contro-cifta|access-date=2022-01-05|website=BDS Italia|language=it-IT}}</ref> The show is bi-weekly.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to Learn About Judaism Online|url=https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-learn-more-about-judaism-online/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=My Jewish Learning|language=en-US}}</ref>
The title of the podcast, Treyf, is a Yiddish word that means "not kosher".<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Weinfeld|first=David|date=August 15, 2019|title=Weinfeld: In praise of radical Jewish anarchist radio|url=https://thecjn.ca/perspectives/opinions/weinfeld-in-praise-of-radical-jewish-anarchist-radio/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103050247/https://thecjn.ca/perspectives/opinions/weinfeld-in-praise-of-radical-jewish-anarchist-radio/|archive-date=January 3, 2022|access-date=January 3, 2022|website=[[Canadian Jewish News]]|language=en-CA}}</ref> The show's original tagline, "A Debatably Jewish Podcast," was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that many right-wing Jews would not consider them or their politics to be authentically Jewish or "kosher."<ref name=":4"/> Despite this, according to the ''[[Canadian Jewish News]]'', each episode receives thousands of listens.<ref name=":4"/>

While the hosts are critical of right-wing Jewish politics and institutions, they are proud of their Jewish heritage. Both hosts attended Jewish schools, enjoy the Yiddish language, and are well-versed in Jewish history and religion.<ref name=":4"/>

Treyf announced a hiatus in June 2022.<ref name=":3">{{Cite tweet |user=treyfpodcast |number=1535283955376738304 |title=We're taking an extended break from the show!!}}</ref>

== Politics ==

The hosts are both [[Jewish secularism|secular Jews]] and the podcast takes a materialist view of Jewish life and history.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Prestwich|first=Emma|date=December 24, 2017|title=Canadian Jewish Podcaster Wants Nothing to Do With Religion|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/12/24/treyf-on-congregation-young-jewish-podcasters-talk-racism-ditching-religion-and-being-genderqueer_a_23315432/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224180419/https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/12/24/treyf-on-congregation-young-jewish-podcasters-talk-racism-ditching-religion-and-being-genderqueer_a_23315432/|archive-date=December 24, 2017|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=[[HuffPost]]|publisher=[[BuzzFeed]]|language=en-CA}}</ref> The hosts consider themselves to be [[Anti-Zionism|Anti-Zionists]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weinfeld |first=Morton |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P8dODwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Treyf%22+podcast+-wikipedia&pg=PA168 |title=Like Everyone Else but Different: The Paradoxical Success of Canadian Jews |date=2018-03-21 |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP |isbn=978-0-7735-5309-5 |page=168 |language=en |access-date=2024-03-08 |archive-date=2024-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806033427/https://books.google.com/books?id=P8dODwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Treyf%22+podcast+-wikipedia&pg=PA168#v=onepage&q=%22Treyf%22%20podcast%20-wikipedia&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> a political position they connect to groups such as the [[General Jewish Labour Bund#Political outlook|Jewish Labour Bund]] and the [[Fraye Arbeter Shtime|Yiddish anarchist]] movement. Bick and Zinman have stated that one of their goals in starting the show was to "bring anti-racist & anti-colonial leftist perspectives to the political discussions happening in North American Jewish communities."<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Anti-Zionism in your earbuds — Help support the Treyf podcast|date=11 May 2017|url=https://mondoweiss.net/2017/05/zionism-earbuds-support/|access-date=5 January 2022|archive-date=5 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105154326/https://mondoweiss.net/2017/05/zionism-earbuds-support/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Format ==

During the first year of the show, Treyf episodes were structured around media criticism and short interviews about topical issues. The podcast changed format in its second year, focusing on the emergence of [[Jewish left#21st century|a new generation of Jewish leftist activity]] in the US & Canada by profiling groups, projects, writers, and activists that were becoming more active during that time. By 2018, the format changed again toward episodes with multiple interviews on a specific topic, as well as multiple-episode series exploring a single theme.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=IJV Firestarter Chats: Behind the Mics of the Treyf Podcast|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01_OrpfMDzY&t=1s|access-date=2022-10-29|archive-date=2024-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806033447/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01_OrpfMDzY&t=1s|url-status=live}}</ref>

Most episodes of Treyf feature a segment called Shkoyakh, during which each host offers an endorsement ('shkoyakh') or condemnation ('anti-shkoyakh') to someone or something they believe deserves it. David Weinfeld, professor of Jewish Studies at Rowan University, has described the tone of the Treyf podcast as "deeply engaging social justice-oriented vaudeville-inflected edutainment."<ref name=":4"/>

== Reception ==

Treyf was voted one of the 10 best podcasts in [[Cult MTL]]'s annual 'Best of Montreal' polls for 2017,<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|title=Best of MTL 2017: Media|date=10 May 2017|url=https://cultmtl.com/2017/05/best-of-mtl-2017-media/|access-date=29 October 2022|archive-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807141234/https://cultmtl.com/2017/05/best-of-mtl-2017-media/|url-status=live}}</ref> 2018,<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|title=Best of MTL 2018: Media|date=7 May 2018|url=https://cultmtl.com/2018/05/best-of-mtl-2018-media/|access-date=29 October 2022|archive-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001152050/https://cultmtl.com/2018/05/best-of-mtl-2018-media/|url-status=live}}</ref> and 2019.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|title=Best of MTL 2019: Media|date=7 May 2019|url=https://cultmtl.com/2019/05/best-of-mtl-2019-media/|access-date=29 October 2022|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203200341/https://cultmtl.com/2019/05/best-of-mtl-2019-media/|url-status=live}}</ref> The show was listed as one of the top ten Jewish podcasts in [[Moment (magazine)|Moment Magazine]]'s 2016 reader poll,<ref name=":17">{{Cite web|last=Isaacs|first=Anna|date=September 13, 2016|title=Top Ten Jewish Podcasts|url=https://momentmag.com/top-ten-jewish-podcasts-reader-edition/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921042259/https://momentmag.com/top-ten-jewish-podcasts-reader-edition/|archive-date=September 21, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2022|website=[[Moment (magazine)|Moment Magazine]]|language=en-US}}</ref> included on [[70 Faces Media|My Jewish Learning]]'s 2017 list of 'How to Learn More About Judaism Online'.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news|last=Rofeberg|first=Lex|date=2017|title=How to Learn About Judaism Online: A Guide to Self-Paced Jewish Study on the Internet.|url=https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-learn-more-about-judaism-online/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212014610/https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-learn-more-about-judaism-online/|archive-date=February 12, 2017|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=My Jewish Learning|publisher=70 Faces Media|language=en-US}}</ref>

A 2017 [[Daily Hive|Torontoist]] article<ref name=":20">{{Cite web|last=Verman|first=Alex|date=June 15, 2017|title=Toronto's Jewish Left is Alive and Well and Resisting Extremism|url=https://torontoist.com/2017/06/torontos-jewish-left-alive-well-resisting-extremism/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616014819/https://torontoist.com/2017/06/torontos-jewish-left-alive-well-resisting-extremism/|archive-date=June 16, 2017|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=[[Torontoist]]|publisher=[[Daily Hive]]}}</ref> described Treyf as part of an increase in "Jewish progressive activism, as well as Jewish anti-fascism." The podcast was described as "leftist media by and for young Jews" and part of "the new Jewish Left" in a 2019 [[Briarpatch]] article. <ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=Métraux|first=Julia|date=February 13, 2019|title=The New Jewish Left: In Canada, Young Jews Are Fighting Antisemitism While Opposing the Israeli Occupation|url=https://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/the-new-jewish-left|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503174150/https://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/the-new-jewish-left|archive-date=May 3, 2019|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=[[Briarpatch]]|language=en-CA}}</ref> A 2019 article in the ''Canadian Jewish News'' stated that "While it’s sometimes said that the voice of dissent needs to be shrill to be heard, Zinman and Bick’s banter is positively charming" and that "their shows are well-researched and full of fascinating historical tidbits and astute analysis."<ref name=":4"/> A 2019 [[The Forward|Forward]] article included Treyf as part of a "trend toward greater intellectualism" in Jewish media.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|last=Zvi Kalman|first=David|date=November 28, 2017|title=Why Are So Many Jewish Podcasts So Bad — and What Can We Do About It?|url=https://forward.com/culture/388471/why-are-so-many-jewish-podcasts-so-bad-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103441/https://forward.com/culture/388471/why-are-so-many-jewish-podcasts-so-bad-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/|archive-date=December 31, 2017|access-date=January 3, 2022|website=[[The Forward]]|publisher=Forward Association|language=en-US}}</ref>

According to [[Jesse Brown (journalist)|Jesse Brown]], Treyf "fills in a hole, to represent things that are not being represented by the Canadian Jewish News and elsewhere."<ref name=":26">{{Cite web|date=March 27, 2017|title=Canadaland: #177 Being Jewish in Public|url=https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/being-jewish-in-public/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304162157/https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/being-jewish-in-public/|archive-date=March 4, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=[[Canadaland]]|language=en-US}}</ref> A 2017 [[Canadaland]] article describes the podcast as "unapologetically leftist, loudly Jewish, and completely unashamed to demand more diverse and critical community conversations. Online, audio-based, user-supported, young, and progressive, Treyf is totally different from the media that the Canadian Jewish community is used to."<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|last=Green|first=Alex V.|date=March 27, 2017|title=How Jewish Media Excludes Jewish Voices|url=https://www.canadaland.com/jewish-media-excludes-jewish-voices/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034636/https://www.canadaland.com/jewish-media-excludes-jewish-voices/|archive-date=November 12, 2020|access-date=January 3, 2022|website=[[Canadaland]]|language=en-CA}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 32: Line 49:
== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{Official website|https://www.treyfpodcast.com/}}
*{{Official website|https://www.treyfpodcast.com/}}

[[Category:Audio podcasts]]
[[Category:2015 podcast debuts]]
[[Category:Liberal podcasts]]
[[Category:Socialist podcasts]]
[[Category:Canadian podcasts]]
[[Category:Jewish anti-Zionism in Canada]]
[[Category:Jewish podcasts]]
[[Category:Jewish anarchism]]
[[Category:Jewish socialism]]
[[Category:Jews and Judaism in Montreal]]
[[Category:Yiddish culture in Quebec]]
[[Category:Secular Jewish culture in Canada]]

Latest revision as of 01:42, 10 November 2024

Treyf
Presentation
Hosted byDavid Zinman and Sam Bick
Genre
LanguageEnglish
Production
No. of episodes95
Publication
Original releaseJuly 21, 2015
ProviderCKUT-FM
Related
Websitewww.treyfpodcast.com

Treyf (Yiddish: טרייף) is a politically left-wing Jewish podcast hosted by Sam Bick and David Zinman. According to their website, "Treyf is an anarchist Jewish podcast recorded in occupied Tio'tia:ke (Montreal). The show features discussions about politics and history from a leftist Jewish perspective."[1]

Background

[edit]

The title of the podcast, Treyf, is a Yiddish word that means "not kosher".[2] The show's original tagline, "A Debatably Jewish Podcast," was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that many right-wing Jews would not consider them or their politics to be authentically Jewish or "kosher."[2] Despite this, according to the Canadian Jewish News, each episode receives thousands of listens.[2]

While the hosts are critical of right-wing Jewish politics and institutions, they are proud of their Jewish heritage. Both hosts attended Jewish schools, enjoy the Yiddish language, and are well-versed in Jewish history and religion.[2]

Treyf announced a hiatus in June 2022.[3]

Politics

[edit]

The hosts are both secular Jews and the podcast takes a materialist view of Jewish life and history.[4] The hosts consider themselves to be Anti-Zionists,[5] a political position they connect to groups such as the Jewish Labour Bund and the Yiddish anarchist movement. Bick and Zinman have stated that one of their goals in starting the show was to "bring anti-racist & anti-colonial leftist perspectives to the political discussions happening in North American Jewish communities."[6]

Format

[edit]

During the first year of the show, Treyf episodes were structured around media criticism and short interviews about topical issues. The podcast changed format in its second year, focusing on the emergence of a new generation of Jewish leftist activity in the US & Canada by profiling groups, projects, writers, and activists that were becoming more active during that time. By 2018, the format changed again toward episodes with multiple interviews on a specific topic, as well as multiple-episode series exploring a single theme.[7]

Most episodes of Treyf feature a segment called Shkoyakh, during which each host offers an endorsement ('shkoyakh') or condemnation ('anti-shkoyakh') to someone or something they believe deserves it. David Weinfeld, professor of Jewish Studies at Rowan University, has described the tone of the Treyf podcast as "deeply engaging social justice-oriented vaudeville-inflected edutainment."[2]

Reception

[edit]

Treyf was voted one of the 10 best podcasts in Cult MTL's annual 'Best of Montreal' polls for 2017,[8] 2018,[9] and 2019.[10] The show was listed as one of the top ten Jewish podcasts in Moment Magazine's 2016 reader poll,[11] included on My Jewish Learning's 2017 list of 'How to Learn More About Judaism Online'.[12]

A 2017 Torontoist article[13] described Treyf as part of an increase in "Jewish progressive activism, as well as Jewish anti-fascism." The podcast was described as "leftist media by and for young Jews" and part of "the new Jewish Left" in a 2019 Briarpatch article. [14] A 2019 article in the Canadian Jewish News stated that "While it’s sometimes said that the voice of dissent needs to be shrill to be heard, Zinman and Bick’s banter is positively charming" and that "their shows are well-researched and full of fascinating historical tidbits and astute analysis."[2] A 2019 Forward article included Treyf as part of a "trend toward greater intellectualism" in Jewish media.[15]

According to Jesse Brown, Treyf "fills in a hole, to represent things that are not being represented by the Canadian Jewish News and elsewhere."[16] A 2017 Canadaland article describes the podcast as "unapologetically leftist, loudly Jewish, and completely unashamed to demand more diverse and critical community conversations. Online, audio-based, user-supported, young, and progressive, Treyf is totally different from the media that the Canadian Jewish community is used to."[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "About the Show". Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Weinfeld, David (August 15, 2019). "Weinfeld: In praise of radical Jewish anarchist radio". Canadian Jewish News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  3. ^ @treyfpodcast (June 10, 2022). "We're taking an extended break from the show!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Prestwich, Emma (December 24, 2017). "Canadian Jewish Podcaster Wants Nothing to Do With Religion". HuffPost. BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  5. ^ Weinfeld, Morton (2018-03-21). Like Everyone Else but Different: The Paradoxical Success of Canadian Jews. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-7735-5309-5. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  6. ^ "Anti-Zionism in your earbuds — Help support the Treyf podcast". 11 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  7. ^ "IJV Firestarter Chats: Behind the Mics of the Treyf Podcast". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  8. ^ "Best of MTL 2017: Media". 10 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Best of MTL 2018: Media". 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Best of MTL 2019: Media". 7 May 2019. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  11. ^ Isaacs, Anna (September 13, 2016). "Top Ten Jewish Podcasts". Moment Magazine. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  12. ^ Rofeberg, Lex (2017). "How to Learn About Judaism Online: A Guide to Self-Paced Jewish Study on the Internet". My Jewish Learning. 70 Faces Media. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  13. ^ Verman, Alex (June 15, 2017). "Toronto's Jewish Left is Alive and Well and Resisting Extremism". Torontoist. Daily Hive. Archived from the original on June 16, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  14. ^ Métraux, Julia (February 13, 2019). "The New Jewish Left: In Canada, Young Jews Are Fighting Antisemitism While Opposing the Israeli Occupation". Briarpatch. Archived from the original on May 3, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  15. ^ Zvi Kalman, David (November 28, 2017). "Why Are So Many Jewish Podcasts So Bad — and What Can We Do About It?". The Forward. Forward Association. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "Canadaland: #177 Being Jewish in Public". Canadaland. March 27, 2017. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  17. ^ Green, Alex V. (March 27, 2017). "How Jewish Media Excludes Jewish Voices". Canadaland. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Treyf_(podcast)&oldid=1256465523"