'A Shtetl Neshama, A Jew from Yesterday' | In Conversation with Lea Kalisch

@LeaKalisch has a dream to sing at the Superbowl, in Yiddish, with a shtreimel. She is a singer of many genres, but some of her Yiddish songs reflect a longing for a simple, religious world. "I am a shtetel Neshama (soul), a Jew from yesterday. I should have been a fruma, my hashtag is 'oyvey'." We hear so many stories of people from the religious community longing for the secular world, what does it mean to grow up secular and express a longing for the religious world? For Lea, the answer is very complicated. She at once embodies a side that is a "rebbetzin" and a side that is wearing barely anything to perform. Her perspective is fresh, energetic, passionate, and unique. Please join us for a conversation about the story of Lea Kalisch.

This video is brought to you with the generous support of Fairfield University / Bennet Center for Judaic Studies.
The Bennett Center for Judaic Studies is a unique academic center that strives to enrich the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual dialogue of Fairfield University. Continuing the vision of Carl and Dorothy Bennett, the Center fosters continued learning experiences and campus-wide awareness about Jewish history, ethical values, and religious observances. It also seeks to engage the Greater Fairfield communities through inspiring lectures and annual programs.

---

[FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Hello channel members. I'm working on getting my videos out to you ahead of time so I have a chance to read your comments. Thanks to all of you for watching, supporting and sharing your thoughts! ❤❤

[miriambanda]

Frieda, I love your selection of people you interviewed. You are so talented. You are so easy to talk to. You are just adorable.

[BetsAnderson]

Dearest Frieda, I love your video's and learn so much from you.
I am a Christian from South Africa. Believing in The Old and New testament.
I stand with Israel 🇮🇱, God's chosen people.
May God bless you indeed. Amen

[kathleens.laroche]

Frieda, one of the things I love about your videos is your ability to draw your guests out so that we, the viewers, have an intimate experience of getting to know them in their unique personalities. It's interesting that Leah spoke of her love of creating intimate spaces - you do the same thing, even if it's through the lens and on our screens. Thank you! ❤️💐

[audreywarn]

Can an observant Roman Catholic be “a shtetl neshama?” I ask the question tongue in cheek, of course, but I definitely relate! I really love your work Frieda. I was originally trained in anthropology so it does not surprise me that I would like your content from that lens alone. But, it is on the personal level, the “soul” level that your content really moves me. Unafraid of asking and grappling with the “big questions” while doing so with a respectful and joyful curiosity! I wish there were more people out there, especially in the digital space, doing this kind of work. The world would be a better place! Thank you.

[AndreaSchnieder-hhgo]

Frieda, I love your selection of people your are interviewing. It is always zo interesting and I learn alot from your videos. The people you have in you videos are zo special and it is a pleasure to look the them. I always look forward to your next presentation. Thank you so much.

[nibor]

The Chabad rabbi here in Lincoln, CA is watching your videos and fully supports you

[egpvomj]

Blown away and breathless at Lea's talents, languages and energy.
I'm a new fan.
Toda תודה

[dreamcatchersong]

I love the observation that speaking in different languages, in some way changes the whole feel of things.

[frangordon]

This was so fascinating and I learned so much. Both of you are so engaging. I could have listened for hours.❤

[dorisporch]

Thank you so much Frieda for the wonderful content ... Always so interesting and beautifully presented.

[bonnieschechner]

I don’t know how you find these amazing people to interview! Lea is quite a bright star and I loved the diversity of questions you posed to her. L’Chaim!

[marystrackstevenson]

Frieda, I really love your videos. They provide me with an insight and perspective of the beautiful Jewish culture and community. ❤

[vividdreams]

I love your channel, it uplifts my spirits. I celebrate every woman you spend time with. Thank you

[FishareFriendsNotFood]

How she pays homage to the past while modernizing is really phenomenal 🙂

[shmuelrosenthal]

I ran across Lea in NYC some time in the 2010s, at an afterparty for a yiddish play my friend Luzer was in. Then many years later, I ran into Lea's now-husband Tobias, who was staying next door to me in Los Angeles for a short time. I consider myself privileged to have met them both separately, and I hope one day I'll get to meet them together!

[bettymaines]

Very insightful as well as entertaining and informative. Excellent material as always

[mrs.brunke]

You never fail to produce a video that provokes thought and emotions, and for me, a window into a whole new world. Thanks, Frieda, for this one along with all the others.

[jonathanpetteys]

Your offerings have helped me to realize there's so much more out there.Thank you, much love.

[lystein]

As a haddic woman, who grew up in London, with a swiss mother, I do agree what she says about the swiss being dry about their sprituality, although I think it's more about being emotionally dry in all areas