What’s Cookin’?: Ep. 312

This week on Unorthodox, we’re calling the lox-smith.  Our Jew of the Week is Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser, who worked for the Obama campaign and administration and helped bring the first Seder to the White House. He’s now running for Lieutenant Governor, and he joins us for some Western Massachusetts Jewish geography and Friendly’s reminiscences.  Then we share a segment from our producer Quinn Waller. She’s converting to Judaism, and with her first Passover coming up, she’s getting into the kitchen and learning how to do it right.  Get prepared for Passover with Tablet's “Passover Haggadah: An Ancient Story for Modern Times.” Our publisher is offering discounted sets at tabletm.ag/passover.  We love to hear from you! Send us your emails and voice memos at unorthodox@tabletmag.com, or leave a voicemail at our listener line: (914) 570-4869. Remember to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from.  Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, photos, and more. Join our Facebook group, and follow Unorthodox on Twitter and Instagram. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our recording sessions on our YouTube channel. We’ve got events coming up! April 7 — We’ll be doing a live show at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, hosted by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, with schmoozing and book signing afterwards. 7:30 p.m. Eastern, get your tickets here. April 11, 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Lisa Bar­r and James McAuley. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here. May 15, 2022 - Mark Oppenheimer will be discussing his book, Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood at Temple Beth Israel in Skokie Illinois. 10 a.m. Central; tickets here.  May 22. 2022 (virtual) — Stephanie Butnick will be in conversation with authors Gary Shteyngart and Claire Stanford as part of the Jewish Book Council and the Jewish Museum’s Unpacking the Book series. 7 p.m. Eastern; register here. Get all our events info at tabletmag.com/unorthodoxlive. Check out The Tab, a new printable weekly digest from Tablet: tabletm.ag/tab.  Want to book us for a live show or event in your area, or partner with us in some other way? Email tsinger@tabletmag.com. Unorthodox is produced by Tablet Studios. Check out all of our podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts. Sponsors: KOL Foods offers healthy, sustainable, kosher meat and poultry. Use code UnorthodoxPesach for 10% off your order at kolfoods.com.