2 weeks Ago
When Jake Gillis was at a Shabbat meal, those in attendance went around the table and shared what they would be doing if they weren’t in their current career. Gillis immediately piped up with “talk show host”. The podcast host now lives in Tel Aviv but he was raised in the US, surrounded by a love and appreciation of all things Judaism.
It was a deep desire to develop a stronger relationship with Israel that inspired Gillis to study at Hebrew University and eventually make aliyah. “I’ve enjoyed podcasts for years and I thought that it would be fun and fulfilling to start one of my own,” Gillis told , when sharing news about his podcast Sababoosh. “I also heard a story about a podcast on basketball, hosted by Bill Simmons who introduced the podcast by offering it as a refuge from all of the craziness in the world.
I liked the thought of providing something positive and light that could also be educational. A love of Israeli culture – or specifically literature, music or television – can be a lifelong passion and something that will outlast the current conflict. I find it fulfilling to provide content in English about Israeli culture and its people.
” Sababoosh is 30 minutes of lightness among the heaviness, where Gillis speaks to Israeli chefs, TV show creators, authors and musicians. Guests have included music icon Ivri Lider, renowned author Etgar Keret, renowned chef and cookbook author Adeena Sussman, and television matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom, among many more. Gillis explained that he makes a wish list of names and simply reaches out.
He has been amazed at how many Israelis are happy to be involved. “The aim of Sababoosh is to spread a love of Israel through its culture,” he said. “Especially since October 7, current events and history have become such a significant part of the conversation and I want to help shift to positive aspects of Israel that can be associated with love and not hate.
Not everyone connects with the news or Israeli history, but many people have at least one facet of culture that interests them.”.
