My Roots, Our Branches

In the spring of 1903, the city of Kishinev became the epicentre of a tragedy that changed the course of Jewish history forever. What started as a manufactured "blood libel" rumour in a local newspaper spiralled into forty-eight hours of state-sanctioned violence that shocked the world and shattered the silence of the 20th century.In this deep-dive episode of My Roots, Our Branches, host Daniel explores the "City of Slaughter" and the complex web of causes behind the pogrom—from the crumbling foundations of the Russian Empire to the chilling complicity of the Imperial Army.This episode covers:The Pressure Cooker: The restricted lives of Jews within the Pale of Settlement and the rise of state-sponsored anti-Semitism.The Anatomy of a Riot: A sensitive but honest account of the violence, the betrayals, and the systematic failures of the Russian authorities.A Global Awakening: How Kishinev became the first "media-age" pogrom, sparking protests in the U.S. and a landmark petition to the Tsar.The Radical Shift: How the poems of Bialik and the failure of the state led to the birth of Jewish self-defence, the acceleration of the Great Migration, and the rise of modern Zionism.Join us as we examine how this dark chapter in our past became the catalyst for the resilience and self-reliance that define the Jewish spirit today.DISCLAIMER: This episode does content reference to sexual violence.

In this episode of My Roots, Our Branches, we’re lifting the lid on the most famous—and arguably most dangerous—relic in human history: the Ark of the Covenant. Forget the fedora and the whip for a moment; we’re diving into the actual blueprints laid out in Exodus, from the golden cherubim to the "Mercy Seat" where the Divine was said to reside.Join your host, Daniel, as we trace the Ark’s chaotic journey through the Old Testament—parting rivers, toppling the walls of Jericho, and leaving a trail of plagues and mystery in its wake. But the real riddle begins where the Bible ends: Where did it go?We’ll dissect the top theories, including:The hidden caverns beneath the Temple Mount.The silent guardians in the highlands of Ethiopia.The "wildcards," featuring the Knights Templar, the Lemba people of South Africa, and a very strange excavation in Ireland by a group known as the British Israelites.Is it hidden in a cave, protected by monks, or lost to time? Let’s dissect the theology and the legends.Support the show: If you enjoy our journey into the esoteric, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Join the conversation on Instagram and TikTok for more behind-the-scenes mystery!

What does a 13th-century castle, a 19th-century peddler’s pack, and the iconic poetry of Dannie Abse have in common? They are all threads in the rich, often-overlooked tapestry of Jewish Wales.In this episode of My Roots, Our Branches, host Daniel journeys from the medieval "Iron Ring" of Edward I to the vibrant mining valleys of the Industrial Revolution. We explore how a community of Central European immigrants traded their wandering packs for storefronts, built "castle-like" synagogues in the heart of the Valleys, and integrated so deeply that they became as much a part of the landscape as the coal itself.In this episode, we discuss:The Medieval Mystery: The thin but fascinating records of Jewish life before the Edict of Expulsion in 1290.The Valley Pioneers: How towns like Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea became unexpected centers of Jewish life and commerce.A Sensitive History: A candid look at the 1911 Tredegar Riots and the resilience of a community that chose to stay and rebuild.Welsh-Jewish Icons: The legacies of the Sherman brothers, the reforming fire of MP Leo Abse, and the artistic "miners" of Josef Herman.Sanctuary in the Hills: The touching story of Kindertransport children who found a second home in Welsh castles and villages.Whether you have Welsh-Jewish roots or simply love a story of survival and cultural fusion, this episode is a deep dive into the heart of the Dragon.

How did a 11th-century French winemaker become one of the most influential teacher in Jewish history? In this episode of My Roots, Our Branches, host Daniel explores the life, legends, and legacy of Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki—better known as Rashi.From the miraculous legends of his birth in the narrow alleys of Worms to the dark days of the First Crusade, we trace the journey of a man who "democratised" the Torah. Without his concise, lucid commentary, the Talmud might have remained a closed book to all but a few. We also dive into the fascinating history of his brilliant daughters and the mysterious "Rashi Script" that he never actually wrote.Whether you’re a lifelong scholar or a curious beginner, join us as we uncover how one man’s pen illuminated the Jewish world for nearly a thousand years.

In the 16th century, the Spanish Inquisition cast a long, terrifying shadow over the New World. But in the heart of Mexico City, a young man was leading a dangerous double life.In this episode of My Roots, Our Branches, Daniel uncovers the extraordinary story of Luis de Carvajal the Younger. Born into a family of secret Jews, Luis was the nephew of a powerful conquistador and governor. While his uncle built empires on the frontier, Luis was building a spiritual resistance.From his self-performed circumcision with a pair of sewing scissors to his work as a scholar in a Jesuit college—where he hid microscopic memoirs in the lining of his hat—Luis’s life was a testament to the power of identity.What you’ll hear in this episode:​The Conquistador’s Secret: How Governor Luis de Carvajal tried to hide his family in the wilderness of Nuevo León.​Faith in the Shadows: The "syncretic" Judaism Luis practiced without a rabbi, guided only by a smuggled Bible.​The Auto da Fe: A deep dive into the chilling public rituals used by the Inquisition to break the spirit of "Judaizers."​The Lost Manuscripts: The miraculous 2016 recovery of Luis’s memoirs, the earliest known Jewish writings in the Americas.Join us for a journey through the desert of Northern Mexico and the dungeons of Mexico City as we explore the life of a man who was burned at the stake, but whose voice refused to be silenced.

How did a community fleeing the Russian Empire find a home in the heart of Edinburgh and Glasgow? In part two of our Scottish series, we’re diving into the 20th century—an era of profound growth, the rise of "modern" identity, and the remarkable legacy of Rabbi Salis Daiches.In this episode, we explore:​The impact of the 1905 Aliens Act on Scottish immigration.​How one Rabbi unified a divided community (and debunked a fake rabbi in the process).​The Kindertransport children at Whittinghame Farm School.​The story behind the official Jewish Tartan.From the busy tailoring shops of the 1900s to the latest census data, join Daniel as we trace the branches of the Scottish-Jewish diaspora.Listen now to "My Roots, Our Branches" on your favourite podcast platform! 🎙️

Scotland holds a singular place in European Jewish history: a land that offered a unique balance of "integration without assimilation," and one of the few "Old World" nations to never have state-sponsored exiles or pogroms. But who were the pioneers who first came to this remote corner of Europe, and what were they seeking?In the premiere episode of My Roots, Our Branches, join host Daniel as we journey back to the moments that defined these early roots, covering everything prior to the 1900s. We’ll navigate the mysterious shadows of the 12th century, meet the 18th-century German "corn operator" who left his mark on Edinburgh's landscape, and explore why Scottish universities became a magnet for Jewish intellectuals. Finally, we trace the massive wave of Eastern European immigration in the late Victorian era that transformed Glasgow’s Gorbals and set the stage for the modern community. It’s a story of resilience, adaptation, and finding a home in the Highlands and Lowlands.