In Episode 6 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Ezra Ben-Shalom, a JUNO nominated Singer-Songwriter.

Ezra speaks about his musical journey, songwriting, spirituality, what the job of an artist is, what happens when art becomes a way of wrestling with life’s biggest questions, how Judaism has guided him, and the known and unknown.

Ezra Ben-Shalom is a JUNO-nominated songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer based in Kelowna, British Columbia. His music lives at the intersection of ancient Jewish oral tradition and contemporary avant-folk. The sound feels both timeless and urgently modern.

Across seven previous albums and a career spanning collaborations with artists like Bif Naked and Tegan & Sara, Ezra has carved a singular artistic path. His songwriting draws from the written and oral Torah, weaving ancestral narratives into songs that resonate with universal longing and hope.

His debut solo album, Known and Unknown, co-produced with Chris Carlson (Down the Lees, Tegan & Sara, Kinney Starr), is a bold, uncompromising work - 10 tracks that bridge contemporary challenges with soul medicine.

This episode features the music of Ezra Ben-Shalom. To hear more of Ezra’s music visit www.ezrabenshalom.com or search for Ezra Ben-Shalom on your music streaming app of choice.

And read more about Ezra here: https://thecjn.ca/arts-culture/kelowna-musicians-debut-solo-album-draws-on-jewish-roots-and-reconnection/

What's coming up in your community?

For an afternoon of family fun on July 19 join Jewish Federation of Edmonton for PJ JCC Family Fest, taking place at the McQueen Community League

The Edmonton Heritage Festival is taking place August 1-3 at Hawrelak Park. Come enjoy the cultures of the world, and don’t forget to visit the Israel Pavilion!

Mazal Tov! On August 8 it’s Kehilat Shalom’s Congregational Bar Mitzvah! All are invited to celebrate they Synagogue’s 13th year in Calgary! It’s not a fundraiser, just a celebration!

On August 9 Shalom Baby Edmonton turns 5. Join the celebration with a fun filled afternoon of playground time, spray park fun, crafts, and tasty snacks.

On Thursday August 13 the Jewish Family Services Calgary 11th Annual Charity Golf Classic at the Cottonwood Golf & Country Club. Look out for the Alberta Jewish Newsies on the links!

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN.

For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/chaitherepod

https://www.instagram.com/chaitherepod/

In Episode 5 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Ashley Kravetsky, a nurse, drag performer, and Jewish LGBTQ Advocate.

June is Pride Month, so it's the perfect time to sit down with Ashley, discuss finding community, being true to yourself and never backing down. Ashley's story is one of Jewish empowerment, it's important and educational. Currently Ashley is the Chair of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton's Pride Committee.

Ashely also speaks about offering support to Jewish people in the queer community, and helping them find their safe place in this world.

If you are in need of help in Edmonton or Calgary, Jewish Family Services is a great place to reach out to, and will be there for you

https://www.jfse.org/

https://www.jfsc.org/

What's coming up in your community?

On June 28 Calgary Jewish Federation is hosting “Bridges of Faith: Christian-Jewish Allyship in Our Modern Day” visit https://jewishcalgary.crowdchange.co/59590

On June 28 in the HOJMI parking lot, Calgary Jewish Federation, HOJMI, and the JCC are hosting their annual Kosher Stampede Breakfast, all are welcome to attend and enjoy pancakes, a bouncy castle, pony rides, and more!

In Edmonton the Heritage Festival is coming up Saturday August 1 – Monday August 3 at Hawrelak Park. Visit booths and pavilions from countless countries. The Israel Pavilion is still seeking volunteers for several positions. Visit jewishedmonton.org for more information

Save the date on Monday September 7 for the annual Walk with Israel in Calgary. Meet the organizations that make up Jewish Calgary, a children’s carnival, Rosh Hashanah Market, and more!

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN. For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/chaitherepod

https://www.instagram.com/chaitherepod/

In Episode 4 of the Chai There! Podcast hosts Addison Borhaven and David Sklar are joined by Professor Brian Berkowitz, a hydrology, and now urology, expert with the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Prof. Berkowitz discusses the merits of science, some of his groundbreaking work, how he is helping make the world a better place, and what the future holds.

Prof. Berkowitz’s research centres around the experimental analysis and computer modeling of fluid and chemical transport in geological formations, with emphasis on soil and groundwater systems. He and his colleagues are developing new models that realistically describe pollutant migration patterns; these models show conditions under which groundwater contamination can occur. He is also developing experimental methods for environmentally friendly chemical treatment of contaminated water and industrial effluents.

Recently, he has become involved in research related to urology and treatment of kidney stones, and to the active treatment of lymphedema and related tissue-swelling disorders, including the development of biomedical devices.

For more information on Weizmann Canada, and the Weizmann Institute of Science visit: https://www.weizmann.ca/ and http://www.weizmann.ac.il/

What's coming up in your community?

The Talmud Torah Society AGM is on June 18, for more information visit talmudtorahsociety.com

On June 21 Camp BB-Riback is hosting its Open House, for more information and to register visit campbb.com

Monday June 22 is the Calgary Jewish Federation’s AGM and Community Shem Tov Awards, celebrating Jewish Calgary’s Amazing Volunteers

On June 22, Jewish Family Services Calgary will be holding their AGM

On June 28 Calgary Jewish Federation is hosting “Bridges of Faith: Christian-Jewish Allyship in Our Modern Day” visit https://jewishcalgary.crowdchange.co/59590

On June 28 in the HOJMI parking lot, Calgary Jewish Federation, HOJMI, and the JCC are hosting their annual Kosher Stampede Breakfast, all are welcome to attend and enjoy pancakes, a bouncy castle, pony rides, and more!

Chai There! is a culturally Jewish podcast powered by AJN. For more news visit https://albertajewishnews.com/

For Chai There! visit https://chaithere.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/chaitherepod

https://www.instagram.com/chaitherepod/