Humor meets heritage:
Two new Chicago Jewish podcasts

Steve Singer hosts The Jewish Song Show, a podcast exploring the origins of Jewish songs. 

Two new podcasts by Jewish Chicagoans offer original takes on Jewish life—and are using humor to help listeners become more Jewishly informed. 

Dr. Steve Singer and Rabbi David Minkus have a lot in common: they each grew up in Skokie and they are both invested in Chicago’s Jewish life. Singer is the founder and musical director of a cappella group Listen Up! and conducts Chicago’s chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir. He also leads services at Congregation Or Torah in Skokie. Minkus serves as Rabbi at Congregation Rofei Zedek in Hyde Park.  

Now, both are also spreading their passion for Jewish life via podcasts. 

“The Jewish Song Show” 

Singer’s podcast, The Jewish Song Show, explores history, culture, and meaning behind a host of Jewish songs. Blending interviews, archival audio, acting, and music, the show traces the story of one Jewish song per episode and occasionally reveals unexpected Jewish origins of well-known pieces. 

His impetus for creating the show came when an acclaimed Jewish music producer listened to a CD of ListenUp!’s music. Many of the songs were listed as “traditional.” In fact, the producer explained, many were written by composers within living memory. Singer resolved to uncover the stories behind these and other Jewish works. 

“Jewish literacy doesn’t have to feel academic or heavy,” Singer explained to listeners. Through immersive storytelling, we’re inviting young Jewish adults into a deeper relationship with their heritage—one song at a time.” 

His open approach has garnered “The Jewish Song Show” a host of listeners since it launched in December.  So far, listeners have tuned in from 80 countries around the world, sharing Singer’s love of Jewish history and music. 

“You Are Doing It Wrong” 

Minkus’ podcast, You Are Doing It Wrong, tackles an important issue in many Jewish communities: a fear of being judged for what we do—or don’t do—in Jewish settings. 

As a rabbi, Minkus has seen a recurring theme in synagogue life: “the fear and trepidation that people have coming into the sanctuary or even the synagogue” overall. “I think it comes from the fear that they’re going to be told they’re doing something wrong,” he said. “I think the real fear is that they’re [going to be judged] ‘less than’ as a Jew.” 

In 2023, Minkus asked congregants to share stories about being made to feel they were doing something wrong and was overwhelmed by the response: “The stories were heartfelt and heartbreaking,” he reflected. 

Minkus identified on a personal level, too. Growing up as a Conservative Jew with many Orthodox relatives, he recalled feeling judged for his level of Jewish observance—and the pain he endured, as a result. He decided to create a podcast where people could share these difficult experiences. 

Episodes have focused on seemingly mundane events: the embarrassment of knowing the way to recite the blessing when receiving an aliyah at synagogue on Shabbat and the discomfort of breaking a rule of Jewish practice that one didn’t even know existed.  

“Overall, we need to have these stories out there,” Minkus explained. He hopes “You Are Doing It Wrong” helps listeners share his “recognition that I don’t believe there’s a right or a wrong way of doing things.” 

“There is a dearth of empathy in the world right now,” Minkus noted.  He hopes his work fosters listeners to be more tolerant and empathetic. “I think it also demonstrates the power that individuals have…We should know how to harness that power with humility.” 

Dr. Yvette Alt Miller, Ph.D., is a freelance writer living with her family in suburban Chicago.