Did you know that Jewish people celebrate the trees' birthday? And the moon? Is Jewish Valentine's day romantic or horrific? Tami & Shoshana are here for you as they discuss Rosh Chodesh, Tu B'av and Tu B'shevat aka. Tu Bishvat. Plus an angry Jewish parent on Facebook needs to find a Jewish school that isn’t “woke”.

Trigger warning: At 26 minutes, this episode touches on sexual assault, including discussion of sexual violence in the Bible. Listener discretion is advised.

This episode was filmed at Storytellers Australia. You can watch it on YouTube

The vocalist in the theme song is Sara Yael

Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

Follow Tami and Shoshana on Instagram : @tami_sussman_bits & @jewishmemesonly

X: TJI_au

Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU

Instagram: thejewishindependent

LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent

Listen to the Hallel Playlist

Why do Jewish people get anxious about waste? Have a different calendar? Occasionally marry their in-law? Tami & Shoshana are here for you; all will be answered in this week’s 'Rapid Fire' episode. Plus, a curious FB group member asks if it’s permissible to use a buzzbuzz on shabbat.

This episode was filmed at Storytellers Australia.

The vocalist in the theme song is Sara Yael

Did you know you can watch this series on YouTube?

Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

Follow Tami and Shoshana on Instagram : @tami_sussman_bits & @jewishmemesonly

X: TJI_au

Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU

Instagram: thejewishindependent

LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent

Welcome back to Season 4 of The Jewish Independent’s podcast ASHAMED TO ADMIT. In the first episode of the season, Tami Sussman asks BRAND NEW CO-HOST Shoshana Gottlieb Beker how Jews ended up in so many places around the world! Plus, they introduce a new segment which exposes the craziest things people post in Jewish Facebook Groups.
ASHAMED TO ADMIT: It’s everything you didn’t get in Jewish Studies Class.

This episode was filmed at Storytellers Australia.
The vocalist in the theme song is Sara Yael

Subscribe to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au


Follow Tami and Shoshana on Instagram

X: TJI_au
YouTube: thejewishindependentAU
Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU
Instagram: thejewishindependent
LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent

In this one-off interview, TJI's Editor-in-Chief Deborah Stone speaks with Sir Mick Davis and Mike Prashker, founders of The London Initiative—a global network connecting Jewish leaders across the diaspora. They discuss the threat of illiberalism in Israel and what the diaspora's role should be in defending Israeli democracy.

Ashamed to Admit returns in January 2026 with Tami Sussman and a soon-to-be-announced co-host.

Watch the episode in video: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/reviving-israels-liberal-democracy

Read Sir Mick's address to The Great Synagogue: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/we-must-speak-out-for-a-democratic-fair-peace-seeking-israel

Our editorial: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/israel-decline-democracy-protest

You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

X: TJI_au

YouTube: thejewishindependentAU

Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU

Instagram: thejewishindependent

LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent

For this Season 3 finale, their very last episode as co-hosts, Tami and Dash balance the over/undersharing scale by delving into Dash’s secret and scandalous family history. They discover that there’s more than one way to define a “Jewish Family.”

Ashamed to Admit will continue as a podcast AND a vodcast in 2026 with a new co-host joining Tami in the studio.

Follow TJI on Instagram for more intel.

Read the full article: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/jewish-ancestry-barnett-family

You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

Tami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_bits and dashiel_and_pascoe

X: TJI_au

YouTube: thejewishindependentAU

Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU

Instagram: thejewishindependent

LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent

On the second anniversary of October 7th, host Tami Sussman sits down with Nova Festival survivor Natalie Sanandaji, an Iranian-American Jewish woman who narrowly escaped the Hamas attacks.

Natalie discusses her transformation from New York real estate professional to full-time advocate fighting antisemitism, her unique perspective as someone with both Israeli and Iranian heritage and why she believes this conflict extends far beyond Israel and Palestine.

She opens up about survivor's guilt, the responsibility she feels to speak for those who can't, and the surprising support she's received from the Iranian diaspora.

Tami and Natalie discuss the vital importance of bearing witness, the broader threats to women and minorities and why breaking out of echo chambers is essential for meaningful change.

Follow Natalie and her incredible work:

https://www.instagram.com/natalie.sanandaji/?hl=en

Footage of Natalie being reunited with Moshe Saati who saved her life on Oct 7:

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/12/21/exp-nova-festival-reunion-will-ripley-pkg-122112aseg2-cnni-world.cnn

A special thank you to the National Council of Jewish Women

You can follow Tami here

Read and listen to more from The Jewish Independent

X: TJI_au

YouTube: thejewishindependentAU

Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU

Instagram: thejewishindependent

LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent

At Australia's largest congregation, Emanuel Synagogue, a historic transition is underway as the High Holy Days approach. Longstanding Senior Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins has announced he is passing the metaphorical shofar to Rabbi Jacqueline Nino. Tami and Dash sat down with this wise and inspiring rabbinic duo to discuss legacy, leadership, and how Jeffrey has played 'the long game.'

Oh, and Tami and Dash have an announcement of their own!

You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

Tami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_bits and dashiel_and_pascoe

X: TJI_au

YouTube: thejewishindependentAU

Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU

Instagram: thejewishindependent

LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent

Tami and Dash sit down with chef, author, influencer and newly minted award-winner Ellie Bouhadana. From the kitchen to the page, Ellie has been cooking up more than focaccia. Catch a glimpse of Ellie's table :)

Articles relevant to today's episode:

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/the-best-jewish-australian-books-of-the-past-year

https://thejewishindependent.com.au/writer-awards-celebrate-talent-in-face-of-discrimination

You won’t regret subscribing to The Jewish Independent's bi-weekly newsletter: jewishindependent.com.au

Tami and Dash on Instagram: tami_sussman_bits and dashiel_and_pascoe

X: TJI_au

YouTube: thejewishindependentAU

Facebook: TheJewishIndependentAU

Instagram: thejewishindependent

LinkedIn: the-jewish-independent