Ritual

In this episode, host Katherine Leung shares her journey as a Cantonese-American who converted to Judaism and now raises a family in Northern Vermont. We hear from Breana, Alexa, Kyra, Jeny, Jake, Anna, and Rebecca about how they blend their cultural backgrounds into weddings, baby namings, and holiday celebrations. This episode sets the stage for a season of stories about identity, ritual, and community in an unexpected corner of the country.Ritual was written and hosted by Katherine Leung. It was produced and edited by Katie Reuther. Engineering by Logan Marshall. Special thanks to Rabbi Leah Cohen Tenenbaum for her fact checking support. Theme music “Ilu Finu” – words: Jewish liturgy; melody: Rabbi Miriam Margles; performed by Marom, the JCOGS Band, Stowe, Vermont.Additional music composed by Logan Marshall.

In this episode, Katherine explores how language and food serve as lifelines to cultural identity for Asian Jewish families in Vermont. We hear from Jeny, Jake, and Breana about the challenge of holding onto Cantonese when English dominates daily life. Guests also share how the food they grew up eating — from dim sum to matzo ball soup — carries memory, love, and cultural belonging across generations.Ritual was written and hosted by Katherine Leung. It was produced and edited by Katie Reuther. Engineering and sound design by Logan Marshall. Special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Junwa Lau and Rabbi Leah Cohen Tenenbaum for their help fact checking this episode. Theme music “Ilu Finu” – words: Jewish liturgy; melody: Rabbi Miriam Margles; performed by Marom, the JCOGS Band, Stowe, Vermont.Additional music composed by Logan Marshall.

In this episode, we see shared values between Asian and Jewish cultures at play. Katherine traces the love stories of couples across three decades in New York and China. We hear from couples like Connie and Alex, Mieko and Josh, and Emily about the deeply personal decisions behind naming their children, and the role grandparents play in fostering love for their culture.Ritual was written and hosted by Katherine Leung. It was produced and edited by Katie Reuther. Engineering and sound design by Logan Marshall. Theme music “Ilu Finu” – words: Jewish liturgy; melody: Rabbi Miriam Margles; performed by Marom, the JCOGS Band, Stowe, Vermont.Additional music composed by Logan Marshall.

NOTE: This episode contains explicit language.In this episode, Katherine explores what it means to exist between categories — racially, culturally, and beyond. Leaf and Rebecca share what it's like to grow up mixed-race without a roadmap, and how they've each chosen to become the kind of elders and community members they never had. Kyra and others reflect on the experience of being perceived differently depending on who's in the room.Ritual was written and hosted by Katherine Leung. It was produced and edited by Katie Reuther. Engineering by Logan Marshall. Theme music “Ilu Finu” – words: Jewish liturgy; melody: Rabbi Miriam Margles; performed by Marom, the JCOGS Band, Stowe, Vermont.Additional music composed by Logan Marshall. 

NOTE: This episode contains explicit language and mention of drug use.In this episode, Katherine explores what it means to choose a place to call home — and what happens when that place doesn't choose you back. Emily and Rebecca share how winding, unexpected paths brought them to New England and the sense of rootedness they found there. Jake tells a different story — one of racism, loss, and ultimately leaving New Hampshire behind for a city that finally had room for him.Ritual was written and hosted by Katherine Leung. It was produced and edited by Katie Reuther. Engineering by Logan Marshall. Theme music “Ilu Finu” – words: Jewish liturgy; melody: Rabbi Miriam Margles; performed by Marom, the JCOGS Band, Stowe, Vermont.Additional music composed by Logan Marshall. 

In this episode, Katherine reflects on the particular relief of friendships that require no explanations. Kyra opens up about embracing her Jewish identity after years of suppressing it; Connie shares how a best friendship shaped the godfather she chose for her son, Moshe; and Lily tells the story of a lifelong bond with another Chinese adoptee — and the uncomfortable questions they've begun asking together as adults about identity, adoption, and belonging.Ritual was written and hosted by Katherine Leung. It was produced and edited by Katie Reuther. Engineering by Logan Marshall. Theme music “Ilu Finu” – words: Jewish liturgy; melody: Rabbi Miriam Margles; performed by Marom, the JCOGS Band, Stowe, Vermont.Additional music composed by Logan Marshall. 

Ritual is a six-part series featuring oral histories from 12 Asian-Jewish families in Vermont. Collected by Katherine Leung during a fellowship with the Vermont Folklife Center, these interviews explore why they moved to Vermont, the cultures and traditions they cherish, and how they navigate their identities in a predominantly white, Christian, English-speaking state.