Recommendations from the Podcast Guests
Immerse yourself in the cultural worlds of our podcast guests: discover books, films, music and podcasts that inspire and accompany them.
Here you will find personal recommendations from our conversations - surprising, diverse and inspiring. Perhaps your next favorite book, a new tune or a podcast that inspires you is already waiting for you here.
We start with the recommendations from 2025, when the podcast went live.
Books
- Die Stadt der träumenden Bücher by Walter Moers (recommended by Philipp Zschommler) delights with quirky humor, unique characters and a passionate declaration of love for literature in the fictional world of Zamonien. The labyrinthine adventure full of surprises and eerie romantic elements makes it an unforgettable fantasy novel that transports readers into a world full of book magic.
- Die unendliche Geschichte by Michael Ende (recommended by Dr. Yona-Dvir Shalem) fascinates with its intricate narrative, in which the reader Bastian plunges into the magical world of Phantásia to save the Childlike Empress from the void, discovering themes such as fantasy and responsibility. With imaginative creatures, profound messages of self-discovery and a unique fusion of reality and fantasy, the novel is thought-provoking and remains a timeless classic.
- Da geht ein Mensch by Alexander Cranach (recommended by Dr. Sandra Anusiewicz-Bär) takes readers on the breathtaking journey of Alexander Granach from Galician shtetl boy to star of expressionist theater in Berlin. The autobiographical novel impresses with its narrative talent, melancholy irony and impressive depiction of emigration and war.
- Everything about Buddha (recommended by Prof. Michael Engel) - we start with Was der Buddha lehrt by Walpola Rahula, which enlightens us with a clear, well-founded presentation of the core teachings such as the Four Noble Truths and the non-ego from the oldest Pali texts. The accessible, scholarly style makes the timeless wisdom of Buddhism accessible to everyday life and ideal for beginners.
- Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World published by Brill Academic Publishers (recommended by Cornelia D'Ambrosio) may not serve as a daily evening read, but it contains a comprehensive canon of over 2,100 articles by 350 experts on Jewish history, religion and culture in Muslim contexts from the Middle Ages to modern times. It sheds light on underrepresented Sephardic contributions and fills gaps in the reference literature, ideal for researchers and libraries.
- Die Welt von gestern, Erinnerung eines Europäers by Stefan Zweig (recommended by university rabbi Rav Jona) is a compelling testimony to a cosmopolitan Europe before the world wars, captivating readers with its vivid descriptions of culture, humanism and the decline of civilizational values. The autobiographical reflection on the loss of identity and pacifism remains a timeless memorial against nationalism and barbarism, written shortly before Zweig's death.
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (recommended by Dr. David Bindrim) impresses with masterful prose, a captivating coming-of-age story of the child prodigy Kvothe and breathtaking worldbuilding with magic, music and mysteries. The unreliable first-person narrative with subtle twists and poetic depth makes it an unforgettable fantasy masterpiece that will leave readers deeply immersed. But beware, according to Bindrim, fans of the series have been waiting a very long time for the outstanding third part.
- Babel by Rebecca Kuang (recommended by Dr. David Bindrim) is an alternate history novel set at the height of British colonialism: in the Tower of Babel in Oxford, translators work on silver ingots that maintain the empire through linguistic magic - a concept that impressively illuminates the power of language, translation and its distortions. Readers are immersed in a clever blend of Bildungsroman, social critique of racism and colonialism, and fantasy that encourages reflection on power and identity.
- Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (recommended by Dr. David Bindrim) captivates through epic worldbuilding with dragon kingdoms and feminist heroines, where gender parity is a given - people are valuable regardless of gender, men do housework and strong women rule as equals. The story spans a thousand years and traces how myths and legends are created, inviting us to imagine such a society that weaves East-West intrigue, queer romance and magic into a gripping epic.
Movies
- All of the Coen brothers' films (recommended by Dr. Hans-Peter Gruber) impress with their unmistakable mix of black humor, quirky characters and gripping suspense, reinventing genre classics such as westerns and noir. With meticulous stylistics, ironic twists and profound observations on human nature, they create unforgettable cult works such as "Fargo" or "No Country for Old Men".
- Sheva Brachot (recommended by Cornelia D'Ambrosio ) enchants with a lively Moroccan-Jewish extended family in Israel in the 1990s, whose festive wedding weeks reveal old secrets, forgiveness and loss. This sad-comedic drama with nuanced family dynamics and an Oscar nomination offers heartfelt insights into cultural traditions and human gray areas.
- Schchur (recommended by Cornelia D'Ambrosio) is particularly worth seeing because it portrays the life of a Moroccan-Jewish family in Israel in an authentic and multi-layered way, skillfully combining traditional values and modern conflicts. Through personal family stories, the film conveys cultural diversity and creates insights into social dynamics that are both entertaining and touching.
Podcasts
- Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education by David Bryfman (recommended by Dr. Sandra Anusiewicz-Bär) features inspiring conversations with educators about trends, challenges and opportunities in Jewish education. The episodes on topics such as mental health, Israel education or post-COVID adaptations offer practical insights and promote innovative approaches for educators.