We are so glad that you have been enjoying Ayuni: Voices of our Jewish Grandmothers. While we're on hiatus preparing season 2 we want to introduce you to another wonderful podcast bringing to life and memory voices of our past. The podcast Heritage Words helps preserve and promote Jewish languages that may be lesser known, many of which are becoming extinct. As an example we share here an episode from Heritage Words. We look forward to hearing your stories while we are creating the next season.

This episode of Heritage Words features Dr. Karen Skinazi, who explores her diverse linguistic heritage, tracing words and expressions from her Ashkenazi mother's Yiddish-speaking background, including terms like "eggies" and "zei gezunt". She also delves into her Sephardic Egyptian-Israeli father's influence, discussing Arabic words like "do'a" and "howaga," a French children's rhyme, and Hebrew expressions.
Heritage Words - conversations about the words we inherit and the meaning they bring to our lives - is produced by the HUC Jewish Language Project and HUC Connect.
Host and producer: Sarah Bunin Benor
Assistant producer: Kyle Elbaz Fingerhut
Editor: Avishay Artsy
Video editor: Talia Ehrenberg
Theme music: Maurice El Medioni’s French and Algerian Judeo-Arabic album “Cafe Oran,” featuring the Klezmatics’ David Krakauer and Frank London, courtesy of Piranha Records.

February 5, 2026 – 18 Shevat 5786

Episode Summary

In this episode we tell of stories that have been passed down in our families of courageous acts by women at varying points in their lives. They serve as role models for us today as we navigate a new world but with equal opportunities to show strength and courage.

Enjoyed this episode?

Please like, comment, or leave a review on your podcast platform or send us an email at ayunivoices@gmail.com

Your encouragement helps us carry these ancestral stories into the world — story by story, grandmother by grandmother.

Share Your Story

Every family holds a universe of memory.

If you’ve carried a song, a story, a proverb, a photograph, a silence — we welcome you to share it with us at ayunivoices@gmail.com

Your voice becomes part of our collective archive.

Email us at ayunivoices@gmail.com so we can feature your story on a future episode.

Stay Connected

- Instagram: @ayuni_voices

- YouTube: @JewishUnityDiversity

Support Our Voices

Ayuni is a labor of heart and heritage.

- Become a supporter: If you believe in preserving the lived stories of Middle Eastern and North African Jewish women, please consider supporting this work. Your contribution helps us document what was almost forgotten — and amplify what must be remembered.

- Sponsor an episode: We partner with individuals and organizations who honor storytelling, heritage, and women’s voices. If you’d like to sponsor an episode in memory of a grandmother or in celebration of your family's story, please reach out at ayunivoices@gmail.com.

Theme music by Oshrat Haim

January 29, 2026 – 11 Shevat 5786

Episode Summary

In this episode we explore the world of women’s songs, often sung in the local Jewish dialect. We delve into the meanings of the words of the songs as well as the significance in the act of women singing. It is an discovery of a rich culture through song.

Enjoyed this episode?

Please like, comment, or leave a review on your podcast platform or send us an email at ayunivoices@gmail.com

Your encouragement helps us carry these ancestral stories into the world — story by story, grandmother by grandmother.

Share Your Story

Every family holds a universe of memory.

If you’ve carried a song, a story, a proverb, a photograph, a silence — we welcome you to share it with us at ayunivoices@gmail.com

Your voice becomes part of our collective archive.

Email us at ayunivoices@gmail.com so we can feature your story on a future episode.

• Become a supporter: Your contribution helps us document what was almost forgotten — and amplify what must be remembered. www.tinyurl.com/JuNiTDiDonate
• Sponsor an episode: reach out at ayunivoices@gmail.com.

Thank you to Oshrat Haim for the opening vocals. You can see Oshrat on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQURf3eoiUUD3hMqC4Ey0QA Instagram, Facebook, and Apple Music.

Stay Connected
- Instagram: @ayunivoices

- YouTube: @JewishUnityDiversity

- Jewish Unity Through Diversity registration: https://www.unitytdiversity.com/contact-donations