LIVE FROM PHILLY! Jewish & Native actress Sarah Podemski & activist Lani Anpo (Live from The Weitzman Museum in Philadelphia)
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Discovering Jewish Roots and Reconnecting
Jonah asks how Lani began exploring Judaism; she recounts ancestry tests, online research, and reconnecting despite family secrecy.
BEING JEWISH goes live! In our first ever East Coast live pod at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, Jonah Platt welcomes two unique voices, Sarah Podemski and Lani Anpo, who share insights into their dual heritage as both Jewish and First Nation/Native American. Sarah is a Canadian actress, best known for her supporting role as Rita in the hit FX television series Reservation Dogs. Lani is a multi-tribal Native American Jewish advocate and educator, who uses her social media platform to champion the rights of hers and other marginalized groups.
Their conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the significance of Jewish and Native cultural practices, the challenges of acceptance within respective communities, and the similarities between the two indigenous groups. Sarah and Lani share personal stories about their mixed heritage and the impact on their identities, both facing and overcoming external skepticism. The episode also delves into historical contexts such as the impact of blood quantum laws and the diaspora experience, and examines how these factors shape both modern-day struggles and triumphs.
Sarah and Lani offer thoughtful reflections on the importance of community engagement, cultural preservation, and the struggle for sovereignty, especially for Native American and First Nation tribes. This episode is a powerful testament to the resilience and rich cultural histories of these two unique communities.
Topics covered include:
- Family Histories and Personal Journeys
- Challenges of Mixed Heritage
- Parallels Between Jewish and Native Cultures
- Support Systems and Resilience
- Navigating Trauma Together
- Exploring Israeli Identity
- Indigeneity and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
- Native American Reparations
- Jewish and Native American Cultural Exchange
- Native American History Month
This episode was produced with and recorded live at the Weitzman National
Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.
Learn more about The Weitzman at https://theweitzman.org
and follow @weitzmanmuseum on Instagram, X, Facebook, and
YouTube.
Mentioned In The Episode:
- Lani Anpo Instagram
- Indijewness on Instagram
- Sarah Podesmski Instagram
- The Weitzman Museum on Instagram
- Watch Reservation Dogs on Hulu
- Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation
- Sicangu Lakota Nation
- Saulteaux
- The Floaters (Upcoming Film)
- Jackie Tohn on BJJP
- Blood Quantum and Sovereignty: A Guide
- The One-Drop Rule
- The Jay Treaty
- Levant
- Decolonization From 1945
- Matrilineal Descent in the era of Babylonian Exile
- Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month
- Foundational Essay of Patrick Wolf
- Sara’s Summer Camp: Camp Shomria
- About Givat Haviva
- For Jewish Indigenous actress Sarah Podemski, it’s a miracle just to exist (“plugging holes in a sinking ship”)
- Sarah’s sisters’s PBS series “Little Bird”
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