In this episode, I speak with Jonathan York, attorney and artist, at the Skirball center (apologies for any real life sound) to discuss The Sukkah Project, his exhibition at the Skirball Center in LA, opening October 8-November 3. The exhibition is the latest in a 6 year exploration, The Sukkah Project, where he has explored the Sukkah as an artistic medium. We also discuss his first film, Al Tira, which documents life in Israel post October 7th and the current climate for Jewish filmmakers and artists.

This episode features sounds that Jonathan recorded on his visit to Kibbutz Be'eri.

Details for the exhibit can be found at:
https://www.skirball.org/museum/sukkah-project-force-majeure
https://www.instagram.com/jonathanyork13/

More on Sukkot:
Sukkot "the feast of tabernacles" is a Jewish week long holiday beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It is an agricultural holiday and one of the three pilgrimage festivals in which Jews are instructed to the temple in Jerusalem. Jews celebrate by building a sukkah (hut or booth) and making a blessing of the four species as described in the Torah: etrog (citron), lulav (palm branch), hadas (myrtle), and arava (willow). The sukkah is intended for festive dining and gathering. Although the structure represents the huts the Israelites lived in during the years of wandering after escaping slavery in Egypt, it also represents unity and hospitality as the structure is a place to invite those in need.

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In this episode, I speak with food writer Tannaz Sassooni who is compiling recipes (one grandmother at a time) to create a cookbook of Jewish food from different cities in Iran. Tannaz sheds light on the history of Jewish-Iranian recipes, unique background behind Kashi dishes from her family's origins, and her family's migration story from Iran to America.

Keep up with Tannaz's food journey on instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tannazsassooni/

Intro music:
Ghormeh Sabzi by Velshodegan

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In this episode, Danielle and Galeet Dardashti return to discuss the ending of their documentary podcast series the Nightingale of Iran, which explores and uncovers the life of their grandfather, Younes Dardashti, a famous Jewish singer in Iran. We discuss the tapes their family recorded starting from the 1950s that were used throughout the series, the reception of their podcast, their theory on the lasting effects of the "Motreb"/artist stigma in Jewish Persian communities, and why there are so few Jewish Persians in art and culture philanthropy and academia.

Song details: "Jadeha," composed by Farid Dardashti with lyrics by Bijan Samandar.

To find out about future events with Danielle and Galeet on The Nightingale of Iran, check out their website:
https://www.nightingaleofiran.com/

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