Birthright for WASPs?: Ep. 102

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Our Jewish guest is linguist Sarah Bunin Benor, an expert in Jewish languages and the author of Becoming Frum: How Newcomers Learn the Language and Culture of Orthodox Judaism, an in-depth study of American Jewish language. She breaks down the linguistic 'tells' of Orthodox Jews, explains how religious Jews often code switch depending on their audience, and describes her experience as a non-Orthodox Jew immersing herself in Orthodox homes and communities for research.

Our gentile of the week is architect and card-carrying WASP Duo Dickinson, who returns to the show to tell us about his forthcoming book, A Home Called New England. He also tells us what it's like being a white Christian male in America today, especially one who loves football, and poses an interesting question: Are week-long summer trips to Vermont essentially Birthright for WASPS?

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Music:

"Mikveh Bath" by Golem

"C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan

"A Duo" by James Horner, from the film An American Tail

"F Minor Klezmer" by The Underscore Orkestra