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

[@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! ❤❤

[@pmfg875]

Thanks so much for introducing such a lovely lady. She has so much cultural richness in her background, it’s educational to hear the perspectives. I will definitely check out more of her inspirational work.

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

Why is there no option to add comments ?

[@miriambanda8427]

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

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

aww Miriam I do love doing interviews the most, I always loved talking to people including in Monroe where we had the best longest talks!

[@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

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

sending much love ♥️ thank you so much for the words. I’ve met the best people from South Africa!

[@kathleens.laroche754]

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! ❤️💐

[@AndreaSchnieder-hh9go]

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.

[@audreywarn3892]

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.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

what a lovely comment, you totally sound like a shtetl neshama, and a big neshama!

[@lawrencemielnicki5643]

I had boss when I was younger who was very observant. His observation from our conversations was that Orthodox Jews have more in common with observant Catholics than with reformed Jews. I don’t know if that was true but we got along very well spiritually.

[@irenitele8497]

There is a wonderful Cuban lady who moved very early to the US, from a very Catholic family. She found herself in Judaism and converted.... to then learn that her family was indeed Jewish! They were Conversos in Spain. Check her out and read her books, her name is Genie Milgrom. And maybe do a DNA test to see if you do have a family past related to anything Jewish!

[@LaurelTaub]

@@irenitele8497 This super woman is terrifically entertaining. Oh, how I wish I could brush that nice hair though.

[@user-eg8pv2om7j]

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

[@nibor110]

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

[@dreamcatchersong]

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

[@dorisporch2733]

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

[@frangordon2790]

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

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you so much! ♥️

[@mrs.brunke443]

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.

[@marystrackstevenson9716]

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

[@bonnieschechner9476]

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!

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

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

[@vividdreams7072]

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

[@lystein1070]

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

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

isn’t that the reputation for Germans too? a kind of withholding emotionally culture?

[@lystein1070]

Yes, the oringinal Yekkishe communities were quite cold

[@bettymaines6305]

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

[@aliciaglauser2184]

What a fun video, thanks Frieda!

[@jonathanpetteys7383]

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

[@bettymaines6305]

I love how you do a deep dive into the “ religious” Jewish community to share with us the variations , nuances etc. within the community. It is a much broader community than I ever realized. ( and I probably did not say this very well as I am searching to find the words to describe what I mean )

[@shmuelrosenthal6661]

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!

[@judithwood9692]

This interview is fascinating. In so many ways I identify with this woman, because I too feel there’s many parts to me and sometimes they are an opposition to one another. Clearly, she is very gifted, and I would love to see her in a play or leading a song session. Thank you so much for this! Judith.

[@LeaKalisch]

Hi Judith, where are you based ? Maybe I play in your area sometime soon:)

[@dreamcatchersong]

What a thoroughly interesting guest, Freida, love her. BTW, great questions, as always.

[@stephenfisher3721]

Rabbi Tobias Divack Moss is the new rabbi of Or Chadasch, Vienna's progressive Jewish community after five years in Minneapolis working at Temple Israel. Or Chadasch provides Kabbalat Shabbat services on their KZbin channel.

[@jerryedelman3581]

My parents being first generation Jewish Americans spoke fluent Yiddish. As much as I can remember back 76 years ago when I was the last of their kids to be born, they NEVER spoke Yiddish to use, only English. The only time I heard Yiddish was when they spoke to each other & didn’t want us kids to know what was being sad. But because we were Orthodox and went to Temple we heard a lot of Hebrew, but my parents did not really speak it. My grandparents were Russian and spoke Yiddish. Sadly because I am not a good language student I never was able to speak the language fluently and since I wasn't exposed to it on a regular basis I always felt this somewhat disconnect to my Jewish heritage even though I went to synagogue on a regular basis & Hebrew school as well. I simply didn't get the full connection of what being religious really meant, even though we celebrated all the religious rituals at home. I felt somewhat disconnected to my Jewish heritage & as an adult I found myself wishing my parents hadn't " AMERICANIZED" us kids to the extent they did, although as an adult I understood the reasons why. But I fully enjoyed this interview as I connected with this young lady's story & upbringing, so thank you for sharing these important stories.

[@heatherdorsey4770]

This was such a great interview!

[@A.Romanowski]

Great interview, so very interesting, would have loved to watch her perform at the Zurich Altersheim. Greetings from Switzerland 🌞

[@stephenfisher3721]

Hannah Pollin-Galay, Assistant Professor of Yiddish and Holocaust Studies in the Department of Literature at Tel Aviv University who directs the summer program writes: Tayere Khaveyrim, I wanted to reshare this image from the 2023 Naomi Program. It captures what is, for me, a powerful memory: Miriam Toukan, the renowned Palestinian singer who is a citizen of Israel, performing in Yiddish and in Arabic beside Jasmine Garfunkl of Argentina and Lea Kalisch of Switzerland/US-at my house, when it was packed with raucous students. This is what our program is and will always be about-bringing people together from all backgrounds to explore, cherish, revive and grow inspired by the Yiddish cultural tradition. Mit vareme vuntshn, Hannah Pollin-Galay

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

interesting find!!!!!

[@vallejan]

lea is so cool! thanks, frieda!

[@gabesimmonds8421]

My late aunt married a Jew from Switzerland and I am surprised that there are still jews in that country. When we visited Zurich in the 70s I always felt strange and that was the country where I probably won't be able to live. Good to see a talent from there.

[@alisonnovich3256]

I lived in the Zurich Jewish community for 14 months. The community is bigger than most people expect. The interesting part of the community as how the Holocaust history still resonates. Switzerland was neutral in the war and the Jews there were generally safe but they were also very cut off and so they seem very insualted from the Jews in the rest of Europe

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

so interesting, thanks for sharing

[@maxhr1749]

What a captivating woman! Lea is down to Earth and honest, she definitely exudes an artistic personality. I plan to leave this interview and check out her music and acting. Frieda, you have the best questions, and they’re always aptly tailored to your person, not letting your own experience shape the entire interaction. I appreciate her openness and cheeky take on Orthodox Judaism. I was pleased to wake up and watch something worthwhile. P.S. tried the Falafel Tanami in Manhattan day after the holiday and although it didn’t have the hole in the wall charm of Brooklyn’s, we got to walk out and eat on Laight St. I’m forever grateful for bringing my attention to their falafel.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

yum, sounds like a delicious falafel experience. I recently ate at Malka’s, an upscale kosher restaurant in manhattan and had the absolutely best chumus ever!

[@maxhr1749]

@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn I will make a point to go there next time we’re in the city which should be soon. I’ll let you know how it is for us. Thank you!

[@buddypvaz124]

Frieda, I watched with great attention this video with Rebbitzen Lea. It was insightful and entertaining. Your guests are always a revelation unto their own unique contribution to Jewish culture and how it all contributes to our collective humanity. Do you know what the catalyst is that brings out these experiences? It is you. It is your curiosity, sensitivity, warm thoughtful personality and courage that is the leavening which completes it all.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

♥️

[@chayastoll1046]

So interesting, i also never heard of Lea. Brings to mind maybe i could be a Shtel Neshama! I grew up in a traditional secular home but was always intriqued with a Heimishe atmosphere when I was at my Bubbe and Zeidy's in Brooklyn. Then 30 years ago we became involved in Chabad and i fell in love with that warm, loving Yiddishe atmosphere BH and now our whole family is Frum and couldn't be happier living in the Shtel of Crown Heights. Chaddishe Enikel too 😊 On the phone topic you hit it right on target, both of you. Frieda you should know your you tube channel along with Rabbi YY Jacobson and Shulem Lemmer are the only ones i really use😊❤ P.S. i like your blue and white blouse or dress tonight...the print is very sweet Be well and keep up your amazing work❤

[@sherry6529]

Wonderful video Frieda!

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you Sherry!

[@LoudlyListening]

This speaks to me a lot as a orthodox leaning non binary jew trying to find community x thanks

[@mamziemay1575]

Non binary. Oiy.

[@LoudlyListening]

@@mamziemay1575 I know, for me I wish I weren't. Would be so much easier.

[@sarahspector5294]

I love you, too, Frieda. Love this guest….I, too, love learning languages. Was told Arabic is one of the hardest.

[@ericah6546]

I relate to her so much! She is brave and very cool and talented❤

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I know!

[@meteoman7958]

Great interview Frieda.

[@Momof4nyc]

Another amazing video. Never heard of leah, thank you for this video. Leah is very talented.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

she’s talented and so down to earth and lovable!

[@EstherRottenberg-xl2tp]

Hi Frieda I‘m part of the small, but very thriving ultraorthodox jewish community. Funny story about the similarities between swiss german and yiddish. Most of our men, that marry into our community come from Israel, Uk and USA and they have a very easy time learning Swiss German because of yiddish. Sometimes there‘ll be funny misunderstandings with Swiss people. However, most of them are able to run entire businesses with their yiddish.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

fascinating! you should collect all the funnisms!

[@Mommacoley92]

I have really enjoying your content. I am not Jewish but I understand how your religion can actually be how you live your life not just what you believe about God.

[@innakoblents3286]

Stopped to watch "Fight the algorithm" - absolutely impressive, thank you!

[@ChanaKay-x1q]

Leah sounds so genius! Its so informing to hear abt jews who stayed in Euorope. Btw, the "shvesters" get me really curious abt their connection to yiddish. i hope Frieda u will do an interview with them.

[@stephenfisher3721]

Really fascinating. I have watched her videos but never knew her background or about her life.

[@nibor110]

My grandmother had a Barry Sisters album that I played as a little kid tried to sing

[@alexandervanlohen4229]

Another Frieda Vizel, this was so different but still very interesting, thank you! I am always torn when tradition is mixed with something new, and I had already rejected it at a young age. But time and again, I was positively surprised. For example, years ago, I was gifted tickets for a show that combined classical music with breakdancing, and I thought, 'Was ein Schmarrn' - the German word for 'Nonsense'. (Is this word known in Yiddish?) The whole thing took place in a very nice theater. I would never have bought the tickets myself, and I was more than skeptical, which made the surprise even greater. It was fantastic! Yet, you still love the culture in its original form and want to preserve it. I love the new but also want to keep the old in its pure form, so I am always torn.

[@jimdeane3667]

Thank you so much for introducing me to Lea Kalish. I've never heard of her. She sounds delightful. It's so funny that only from her family name, "Kalish", it suggests that her father's side of the family is connected to the Chassidim of Poland. There are/were Kalisher Chassidim, from the town of Kalish. She may actually be a shtetl neshamah. FYI, the Kalisher Chassidim branched off to become the Amshinover Chassidim who still have a community in Brooklyn and Israel.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

I had the same thoutht! she said the Kalisch family was huge and there were many Kalisches so she didn’t know if she was related to the one I thought of - Ita. gmar tov!!!

[@Zelde-M]

Our dear guide Frieda brings us a probing interview of an innovative find: the multi-talented performer Lea Kalisch. Lea is self-identified as her persona "shtetl neshume!" She has embraced Yiddish and Yiddishkayt pushing boundaries rapping in Yiddish while wearing a shtreimel with tremendous joy! Her World is one of Contrasts! Her videos are varied, fun and embrace Jewishness. Check them out!

[@michelleshore1372]

Love this interview. Thank you ❤

[@Elvertaw]

Thank you for this. Secular Jews looking toward their more religious brothers sound similar to what some Christian’s do when they become born again. Looking for the spiritual and communal aspect that may be missing now. We are all more alike than we like to admit.😊

[@allensmith4131]

Finally these 2 great humans unite!!!!

[@judithwood9692]

I received a message Lea Asking where I am located because she was thinking that maybe she would come to my area a performance. I am located in Cleveland, Ohio and there is a large Jewish community here - Hasidic, orthodox, conservative, reform, Etc. I think there would be an interest, but I’m not sure what Venue to recommend. I would love it if she did come here! Judith. .. P. S I tried to reply to her message, but ended up on this site so I’m sending it through you. Thank you,, Freida.

[@allensmith4131]

L chaim to cotrasts!!! What a great mantra!

[@ninakgordon]

It's an unfair generalization to say that all secular Jews look down on or pity Orthodox Jews. And, Lea Kalisch is awesome! Thank you for this closer look at a talented artist and her process.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

Good point… thanks for the comment! Lea is lovely!

[@richardhallaj1907]

Very interesting film and interesting person!

[@rhonakurka1041]

Off ourse this is her personal experience with Judaism. I live in Vienna, Austria and find the Jewish community here very different than how she describes them. They all speak 4/5 launguages fluently and are very well educated.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

♥️ chat sameach!

[@rhonakurka1041]

​@@FriedaVizelBrooklyn Chag Sukkot sameach!

[@stephenfisher3721]

כאן זה לא אולפן (Kan ze lo ulpan) "This is not an Ulpan" (TINAU) is a language school to learn Hebrew or Arabic in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or online. Classes are built to create an open, informal and collective learning experience.

[@stephenfisher3721]

Contrast has been a unique feature of Judaism and the Jewish people since the the begining. In the Bible, we find the demand for Jews to be special and insular but also the need to influence the world and be universal. This contrast has continued through the ages. The mix and emphasis changes as relations with other groups changes. But a Jew always embodies both the particular and the universal. A major part of Talmudic study is reconciling conflicting opinions in Jewish tradition. In many discussions on the Internet, I find that many non-Jews don't understand and can't handle the contrast that contributes to the richness of Judaism. They quote some passage out of the context and think that is Judaism. Judaism is often both one thing and its opposite. A story is told about a rabbi in Europe who must decide whether a chicken is kosher or not. It seems very simple but the rabbi wants to know more details. He finds that this chicken will be the Shabbos meal for a poor woman. If the rabbi rules that it is not kosher the woman will not have meat on the Sabbath. Today unfortunately we have Jews, especially the younger generation, who want quick easy, black or white answers and that is not the Jewish way.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

great comment. I love this about Judaism and treasure being a Jewish person and my rich inherited tradition of contrasts.

[@bettymaines6305]

And could not agree more that when filming , taking pics etc the person is definitely not fully present in the moment. You are taking pics , etc. for someone else to experience and at least partially taking yourself out of the experience. You are engaged in the experience as a filmmaker, photographer, etc and not fully as a participant . Very interesting discussion.

[@pernille8071]

She is a very young soul...

[@heatherwiner2883]

I long for more as well. Jewish convert who is secular but longs for more other than just going to synagogue and feeling lonely.

[@stephenfisher3721]

How does someone convert to "secular" Judaism? Do you mean you had a Reform conversion?

[@stephenfisher3721]

If you are lonely you need to find a better synagogue.

[@misterzero8667]

Why concert just be secular

[@cohenlabe1]

Find a rabbi tell him exactly what you posted haslacha may you have a simchous life

[@לאוןיהודהליכטנשטיין]

שלום פרידה אני נהנה מסרט הזה

[@mineon111]

פרידה אני ישראלית! ואני יותר מאשמח לעזור לך להתאמן על העברית לך:)

[@chanaheszter168]

So interesting. She totally has that Hungarian vibe. No wonder the Swiss thing doesn't work for her. 😂 Related to Rav Tzvi Hirsch Kalisher?

[@bailatwerski2951]

Frieda, I want you to consider that when your son becomes an adult and besides to go even further than you have a way from the way you were raised He could end up falling in love with a non-Jewish woman and then you might end up with non Jewish grandchildren. This happened to my brother He now has grandchildren that are not Jewish and they're all boys. We too were raised through Klausenburg. My siblings are all Satmer by myself and my brother. I married Litvish. We are frum Orthodox.

[@elainethomson5826]

Awsome frieda 😂

[@deejaybutch3r]

That picture with the shtreimel reminds me of Marisa Papen.

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

😅

[@chanagrossman9625]

Hi frieda how can I contact you my daughter is doing shurut lumi in Minneapolis this year she's from Israel she can tell your son places to hang out in safe places

[@sshhlisten]

🦋

[@sshhlisten]

💎

[@sshhlisten]

🌼

[@sshhlisten]

✨️

[@sshhlisten]

🎶

[@maril1379]

So funny thumbs up

[@calmbeforethestorm9498]

"...more documenting than doing".

[@SIR46661]

I hate and get annoyed at everyone taking photos at weddings/events. Almost always there is a professional camera there. Maybe they can order from them or couple. We could use a mannerly system for this.

[@Cristiolus]

Moshav zekenim = Old People's Home.

[@divnacvetkovoc1302]

An interesting person with the strength to criss cross two dimensions of jewish life.

[@cohenlabe1]

Leah needs a good dose of chadiuos, carlboch and lubavitch smicha a kumzits and musical hafdulah or 2

[@jonathani1]

I'm a great fan of Frieda Vizel. Not a fan of this attention seeker.

[@swedishpsychopath8795]

Why did the woman look like Jerry Seinfeld? Are they related?

[@stephenfisher3721]

Ashkenazi Jews married only within the group for generations.

[@k.k.5046]

One is hyper popular , other one is less popular

[@cohenlabe1]

We jews all look alike. Even those of different colors

[@debrasternhagen6598]

Not respectful

[@debrasternhagen6598]

Not liking the intentional provactive nature of her actions- a slit up a dress in front of elderly jews or srtimol hat and sleveless top and sunglasses

[@elizaf.9040]

This guest makes me nervous.

[@toptth]

You're such a lovely host, @FriedaVizelBrooklyn

[@FriedaVizelBrooklyn]

thank you ♥️♥️