Épisodes

  • When Life Gives You Etrogs with Iddo Gefen

    When Life Gives You Etrogs with Iddo Gefen
    Oct 9 2026
    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko discuss the grand finale of the High Holiday season—Simchat Torah—plus a new survey that says Americans aren’t inviting each other over for dinner anymore. They also commemorate the third anniversary of Oct. 7 and explore how to talk to kids honestly and age-appropriately about it. This week's guest is Israeli writer Iddo Gefen, author of Jerusalem Beach, Mrs. Lilienblum’s Cloud Factory, and the Substack Neuron Stories. Send in your GOLDA Grams: record a voice note or voice memo and email it to hi@goldaguide.com to be included in an upcoming episode. Tell us who you are, where you’re calling from, and what you’re thinking about. Good for the Jews: Stephanie: The Exodus Mentorship Alliance (she’s part of the founding fellow cohort!) Esther: Etrog jellyDiana: This pomegranate napkin holder Upcoming events: October 14, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie in conversation with Matti Friedman about Jewish identity beyond the West. 8 p.m. at 92NY; https://www.92ny.org/event/matti-friedman-with-stephanie-butnick.October 19, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Rabbi Rachel Ain for the launch of her book Watch How You Go: Jewish Wisdom for Your Journey Ahead. 7 p.m., Sutton Place Synagogue; spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/rrabooklaunch.October 20, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Dr. Katie Davis about her new book Actually, You’re Fine. 6:30 p.m., WTHN Upper East Side; register at https://luma.com/rwzedeza. October 23, 2026 — New York City: Join GOLDA a special Mini Mahj Shabbat for you and your mini at ColorPop Workshop. ​Pizza will be served, along with challah and grape juice. There will be goodies and giveaways from our favorite kids' brands. Please note: everyone should already know how to play; there will be no instruction. 5 - 7 p.m., 1289 Madison Avenue; get your ticket at https://luma.com/cgn6d0u1. October 26, 2026 — New York City: Join Jill Kargman and GOLDA for a frighteningly fun night of mahjong featuring Jill’s signature Halloween tile sets from Center & Spring, which will be available for purchase. Breads Bakery, 1294 Third Avenue, 6 p.m.; get your ticket at https://luma.com/xtfeb4df . Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.Where you can find the GOLDA Girls:Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books. Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187. Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939.GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU. Sponsors:GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU. You can listen to GOLDA Girls on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golda-girls/id1895644983Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eLma0Exh3LDv2Ay8fx8CqPocket Casts: https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/golda-girls/ed7285a0-2487-013f-2ec2-0e872f6a2b21Leave us a review and we’ll send you a GOLDA sticker! Email a screenshot of your review to hi@goldaguide.com. Stay GOLDA.
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    49 min
  • American Dream with Jessica Siskin

    American Dream with Jessica Siskin
    Oct 2 2026
    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko discuss the Sunkist Fruit Gem drama and the new Hanukkah sweater Barbie doll, and answer a listener’s “Type A challah question.” This week’s guest is Jessica Siskin, author of the new novel Looks Perfect. Recommendations:The Balloon Museum Looks Perfect, by Jessica SiskinGood for the Jews: Stephanie: Challah Back Girls Esther: Shul bonnetsDiana: The sukkahJessica: The Chabad guys outside Zara in Soho. Upcoming events: October 8, 2026 — New York City: Esther Chehebar interviews artist and food writer Linda Dangoor, author of From the Tigris to the Thames at the Moise Safra Center; https://tinyurl.com/ASFMSCDangoorOctober 14, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie in conversation with Matti Friedman about Jewish identity beyond the West. 8 p.m. at 92NY; https://www.92ny.org/event/matti-friedman-with-stephanie-butnick.October 19, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Rabbi Rachel Ain for the launch of her book Watch How You Go: Jewish Wisdom for Your Journey Ahead. 7 p.m., Sutton Place Synagogue; spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/rrabooklaunch.October 20, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Dr. Katie David about her new book Actually, You’re Fine at the Upper East Side WTHN studio. https://luma.com/rwzedeza Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.Where you can find the GOLDA Girls:Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books. Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187. Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939.Sponsors:GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today. This episode is also sponsored by the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative, created in collaboration with NJOP. The Shema Initiative invites us to reconnect with Judaism’s most foundational prayer through beautiful videos, art, inspiration, and even a free Hebrew Reading Crash Course. Join The Shema Initiative and you can enter to win a beautiful gold-plated Shema bracelet handmade by Oriya—a piece of jewelry designed to remind you to keep this foundational prayer top of mind and close to your heart. Learn more and sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda. –GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU. You can listen to GOLDA Girls on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golda-girls/id1895644983Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eLma0Exh3LDv2Ay8fx8CqPocket Casts: https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/golda-girls/ed7285a0-2487-013f-2ec2-0e872f6a2b21Leave us a review and we’ll send you a GOLDA sticker! Email a screenshot of your review to hi@goldaguide.com. Stay GOLDA.
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    48 min
  • GOLDA Interviews: Ron Segal, Author of ‘Delicate’

    GOLDA Interviews: Ron Segal, Author of ‘Delicate’
    Sep 30 2026

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick talks to Ron Segal, the Israeli-born, Berlin-based author of Delicate, the latest pick from our presenting sponsor Nu Reads, the Jewish subscription series that brings remarkable literature straight to your door.

    Delicate is a brilliant and haunting novel about memory, and the Holocaust, and the stories we leave behind. The book is officially out in English next year, but Nu Reads subscribers have early access to it, along with exclusive experiences with authors, and a community built on a shared passion for Jewish storytelling. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda—visit www.NuReads.org to get started today.

    GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.

    You can listen to GOLDA Girls on:

    • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golda-girls/id1895644983
    • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eLma0Exh3LDv2Ay8fx8Cq
    • Pocket Casts: https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/golda-girls/ed7285a0-2487-013f-2ec2-0e872f6a2b21

    Stay GOLDA
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    34 min
  • 2 Break-Fast 2 Furious

    2 Break-Fast 2 Furious
    Sep 25 2026
    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko break through their post-break-fast delirium to discuss fasting for Yom Kippur while parenting, the tri-state-area run on rainbow bagels for break-fast, and Sotheby’s upcoming Magnificent Judaica sale (aka the new Met Gala). Chef and recipe developer Arielle Nir joins the GOLDA Girls to share how she updates the Persian, Moroccan, and Israeli recipes she grew up with for a new generation—and offers two Sukkot-ready recipes that Esther swears by. Subscribe to GOLDA to get the recipes delivered to your inbox: goldaguide.com/subscribeTell us about your magnificent Judaica—email us at hi@goldaguide.com and we'll share it on air.This week’s recommendations:Under the Persimmon Tree, by Suzanne Fisher Staples DIY Graham Cracker Sukkah, Our Happy Tribe Audrey Levy Women’s Siddur, Sephardic Heritage FoundationSiddur bedazzlingGood for the Jews: Stephanie: Susan Alexandra’s new sticker bookEsther: The film Legend of Destruction, voiced by Oscar Isaac and Evangeline LilyDiana: Yom Kippur afternoon programming at Stephen Wise Free SynagogueUpcoming events: October 14, 2026 — New York City + virtual: Stephanie in conversation with Matti Friedman about Jewish identity beyond the West. 8 p.m. at 92NY (in-person and streaming); https://www.92ny.org/event/matti-friedman-with-stephanie-butnick.October 19, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Rabbi Rachel Ain for the launch of her book Watch How You Go: Jewish Wisdom for Your Journey Ahead. 7 p.m., Sutton Place Synagogue; spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/rrabooklaunch.Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.Where you can find the GOLDA Girls:Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books. Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187. Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939.GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU. Sponsors:GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.This episode is also sponsored by the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative, created in collaboration with NJOP. The Shema Initiative invites us to reconnect with Judaism’s most foundational prayer through beautiful videos, art, inspiration, and even a free Hebrew Reading Crash Course. Join The Shema Initiative and you can enter to win a beautiful gold-plated Shema bracelet handmade by Oriya—a piece of jewelry designed to remind you to keep this foundational prayer top of mind and close to your heart. Learn more and sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda.
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    51 min
  • Back to Basics

    Back to Basics
    Sep 18 2026
    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko are joined by Mamaleh Jewelry founder Dara Katz to kick off 5787. The Girls talk about the behind-the-scenes stress of the High Holidays, the Macklemore drama, and more. They also go back to basics and dig into the Shema prayer, with some help from the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative. And of course, there’s jewelry involved: join the Shema Initiative and enter to win a Shema bracelet by Oriya Jewels. Sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda. This week’s recommendations:Mamaleh’s Yente nameplate necklace, mahjong tile charm, and challah charm. Good for the Jews: Stephanie: Sydney Sweeney spotted at synagogue on Rosh Hashanah.Dara: Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts’ daughter Kai Schreiber walking the Thom Browne runway at New York Fashion Week. Esther: Dara Horn’s new book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Letter to the Living. Diana: Miznon’s Bag of Green Beans. Upcoming events: September 22, 2026 — New York City: Diana interviews Zibby Owens about her new book Between Chapters at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan; https://www.mmjccm.org/event/between-chapters-zibby-owens-in-conversation-with-rabbi-diana-ferskoOctober 14, 2026 — New York City + virtual: Stephanie in conversation with Matti Friedman at 92NY (in-person and streaming); https://www.92ny.org/event/matti-friedman-with-stephanie-butnick.October 15, 2026 — New York City: Save the date for the next event in our Harmonie Club residency, all about redefining Jewish jewelry and Judaica and featuring some of our favorite designers and artists. October 19, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Rabbi Rachel Ain for the launch of her book, Watch How You Go: Jewish Wisdom for Your Journey Ahead, at Sutton Place Synagogue; spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/rrabooklaunch.Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.Where you can find the GOLDA Girls:Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books. Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187. Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939.GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU. Sponsors:GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.This episode is also sponsored by the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative, created in collaboration with NJOP. The Shema Initiative invites us to reconnect with Judaism’s most foundational prayer through beautiful videos, art, inspiration, and even a free Hebrew Reading Crash Course. Join The Shema Initiative and you can enter to win a beautiful gold-plated Shema bracelet handmade by Oriya—a piece of jewelry designed to remind you to keep this foundational prayer top of mind and close to your heart. Learn more and sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda.
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    35 min
  • Ringing in 5787

    Ringing in 5787
    Sep 11 2026

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko welcome the new Jewish year the GOLDA Girls way: by saluting the “temple dress” wardrobe staple, breaking down why some Jews avoid leather shoes on Yom Kippur, and wondering how the shofar blower trains for the High Holidays, aka the shofar Super Bowl.

    The GOLDA Girls also say farewell to co-host Gabby, who will be joining the Atlantic as a staff writer later this month. We love you, Gabby! Follow along with Gabby’s work by subscribing to her Substack at gsdeutch.substack.com.

    Good for the Jews picks:

    Stephanie: P!nk making kugel on Instagram.

    Diana: Communal Jewish singing.

    Esther: Nathan Fielder.

    Gabby: The GOLDA Girls podcast!

    Upcoming events:

    Tuesday, September 15—New York City: Stephanie interviews curator Dr. Smadar Sheffi at the opening reception of A Taste of Belonging, an exhibit about the intersection of art, culture, and cuisine. 6 p.m. at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan; register here.

    Thursday, September 17 — New York City: Stephanie in conversations with Dr. Beth Ricanati at the launch event for her book The Braided Prescription: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Ritual of Making Challah. 7 p.m. at The Strand Columbus; register here.

    Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.

    Send your high holiday fashion tips to hi@goldaguide.com.

    Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.

    Where to find the GOLDA Girls:

    Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.

    Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.

    Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939.

    GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.

    Sponsors:

    GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.
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    42 min
  • Bageling and Beyond

    Bageling and Beyond
    Sep 4 2026
    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko break down their High Holiday hosting prep, continue the “bageling” discussion with a moving listener letter, and sound off about John Galliano bowing out of his Met Costume Institute honor. We also get our heads in the game for the Jewish New Year with some inspiration from the Simchat Torah Challenge.Good for the Jews picks: Stephanie: Gal Gadot’s appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast Gabby: Adon Olam to the tune of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way” Diana: Rabbis giving it their all on the High HolidaysEsther: The Jewish history of the teddy bear (as told in the book Playmakers )This week’s recs: GOLDA’s High Holiday shopping guideGrandma’s Cheese in Long Branch, N.J. The Concise Book of Mitzvot by Chofetz Chaim The Shabbat Effect by Alan MorinisLooks Perfect by Jessica Siskin Gabby’s Jewish Reading ListFeldi Studios kiddush cup (discount code GOLDAxFELDI)Peace Love Light Shop (discount code GOLDA)Upcoming events: Tuesday, September 15—New York City: Stephanie interviews curator Dr. Smadar Sheffi at the opening reception of A Taste of Belonging, an exhibit about the intersection of art, culture, and cuisine. 6 p.m. at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan; register here.Thursday, September 17 — New York City: Stephanie in conversations with Dr. Beth Ricanati at the launch event for her book The Braided Prescription: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Ritual of Making Challah. 7 p.m. at The Strand Columbus; register here.Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events. Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at hi@goldaguide.com. You can also send us a voice note; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from.Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.Where you can find the GOLDA Girls:Subscribe to Gabby’s Substack at gsdeutch.substack.com. Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and get her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books. Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187. Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939.GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU. Sponsors:GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.This week’s episode is also brought to you by the Simchat Torah Challenge, your weekly reminder that ancient Jewish texts are surprisingly good at modern life. If you haven't yet joined the world’s oldest book club and the community of tens of thousands, sign up at simchattorahchallenge.org/golda.
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    52 min
  • High Holiday Chic with Elisa Solomon Jewelry, Feldi Studios, and Challah Back Girls

    High Holiday Chic with Elisa Solomon Jewelry, Feldi Studios, and Challah Back Girls
    Aug 22 2026
    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk Jewish henna ceremonies, our favorite Jewish wedding traditions, and Esther’s response to New York Magazine’s Habibi City article. (For more on the Syrian Jewish community in New York City, check out Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune. You can find the Crusty Sisters, who emceed Esther’s recent rager, on Instagram.) As part of GOLDA’s annual High Holidays Shopping Guide, Stephanie interviews the women behind three of the businesses featured—Elisa Solomon of Elisa Solomon Jewelry, Melissa Felderman of Feldi Studios, and Sara Loffman of Challah Back Girls. Check out the full High Holiday guide at goldaguide.comSend us your Ask GOLDA questions at hi@goldaguide.com. You can also send us a voicenote; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from.This week's Good for the Jews picks: Stephanie: Sterling Point, the soapy teen drama starring Jewish actress Ella Rubin. Diana: Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro’s Jewish and Israeli contestants.Gabby: Jewish weddings! Esther: The Special Children’s CenterUpcoming events: Thursday, September 17 — New York City: Stephanie Butnick interviews Dr. Beth Ricanati at the launch event for her book The Braided Prescription: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Practice of Making Challah. 7 p.m. at The Strand Columbus; register here.Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide.Where you can find the GOLDA Girls:Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books. Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187. Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939.GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU. Sponsors:GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. You can check out Stephanie’s interview with Nu Reads featured author Portia Elan about her new novel, Homebound, in the GOLDA Girls feed. Use code NuGolda at checkout for 15% off your subscription. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.Stay GOLDA.
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    1 h et 4 min