Episode 03: Jean Meltzer
On ‘Jewitches’ and Jewish Joy
Jean Meltzer’s Five Books:
The Bible
Once More with Chutzpah by Haley Neil
Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
Love you a Latke by Amanda Elliot
Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer
The Five Books is fiscally sponsored by FJC, a 501c3 public charity.
Hosted by Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
Produced by Odelia Rubin
Artwork by Dena Friedman
Music by Dov Rosenblatt and Blue Dot Sessions.
In Magical Meet Cute, Faye Kaplan is definitely happy alone. That is, until she finds her town papered with anti-Semitic flyers. Desperate for comfort, Faye drunkenly turns to her pottery. A golem protector is just what her town needs…and adding details to make him her ideal man can’t hurt, right?
When a mysterious stranger turns up the next day, Greg seems too good to be true, causing Faye to wonder if his appearance might be anything but a coincidence. (Mira)
Jean started her career in television where she won numerous awards including a Daytime Emmy. She spent five years in rabbinical school before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw.
In this conversation, Jean reflects on “second wave” Jewish books and finding herself represented on the page, on Jewish magic (or being a “Jewitch”), and Jewish joy.
Books and Resources on Jewish Magic:
Jewish Magic and Superstition by Joshua Trachtenberg
The Golem Redux by Elizabeth R. Baer
The Golem and the Wondrous Deeds of the Maharal of Prague by Yudl Rosenberg
The Golem by Gustav Meyrink
Throwing Sheyd (Podcast)
The Vigil (Movie)
The Jewish Joy Community:
Other Books Jean Mentioned:
Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman
