Background

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I made aliyah in 2019. After my first trip to Israel in 2009, I couldn't get enough of Israeli culture. I started watching Israeli shows like Katmandu (with Gal Gadot) and listening to Israeli music on repeat. Around this time, I also started regularly watching talk shows like The Tonight Show and The Late Show. I thought it would be really meaningful to interview interesting people and take the conversation farther than a movie they had starred in.

Last year, a friend lent me a book by Judd Apatow about him interviewing the greatest comedians of the day when he was in high school. I started to wonder if I could reach out to well-known Israelis and have them agree to a recorded interview. I learned that quite a few would be happy to oblige. I wrote down a wish list of people to interview and regularly sent out rounds of emails and WhatsApp messages. I have been moved by how accessible these guests have been. I have only had lovely interactions with them.

The Vision

The last year has been one of the darkest in Israeli and Jewish history. Many have been glued to the news and social media hoping for even a morsel of good news. As important as it is to stay connected to Israel through current events and history, other connection points can nurture a love of Israel.

I want to spread a love of Israel through its culture. You might not be interested in Israeli stand up comedy or start ups, but my aim is to provide such a wide range of topics that you and those you care about will find at least one connection to Israel.

It's important to come up for air once in a while away from the news and the war and to learn about the beautiful and robust culture that exists in the holy land. As an American-Israeli, I have the benefit of having extensive experience in both cultures and understanding many of the similarities and differences.

Apart from the news, Israeli music, movies, food, comedy, etc. all offer opportunities to deepen a love for Israel.

That's where Sababoosh comes in. Conversations with Israel's cultural movers and shakers diving deep into Israeli culture and society. We have become a unique and different kind of podcast. The Hebrew-speaking population has many options in Hebrew, but a podcast in English geared toward fans of Israel abroad is something new

Some recent guests have been Dan Ariely, Etgar Keret, Adeena Sussman, Aleeza Ben Shalom, and Ivri Lider

Season 1 was a success and I'm hoping to continue that momentum and provide some fascinating stories from familiar faces

I'm raising funds for production costs for the next two seasons (20 episodes), some help with editing and promotion, and an advertising campaign on social media and Jewish publications.

Sababoosh the Substack

In addition to the podcast, I have published an article each week on a different aspect of Israeli culture. There are currently 50 articles available ranging from tremping to the Academy of the Hebrew Language. The articles have been read over 10,000 times.

The Plan

To this point, I have been working on it solo except for a marvelous intern this past summer (Go Sarina Amar!). Your generous contribution can go a long way to give the podcast a boost through: hiring some production and promotion help in order to get the word out about the podcast.

If the goal is reached thanks to your generosity, the podcast can be sustained for 1 year of weekly episodes ($100 x 50 = $5000) with a marketing campaign ($1000), and some part-time help with production ($500) and social media ($500). By that time, my hope and goal is to be able to sustain the podcast myself through revenue from advertising on the podcast and grants.

Spreading the Word

Sababoosh has been covered in three publications thus far: the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, The Jewish Link of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and the Australian Jewish News. I hope to have more publications cover Sababoosh and to get the word out.

Check out our website.

You can find our episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thank You

I am so so grateful for your partnership in this and your joining this realization of my dream. I hope to spread a love of Israeli culture and your confidence in this endeavor means the world to me.