Sisters Liz and Jenny Kaplan: Nurturing Empathy and Equality Through Womanica Podcast

Jenny Kapan, recording Womanica

Liz and Jenny Kaplan, accomplished sisters and graduates of B'nai Shalom Day School, have embarked on a compelling journey of rediscovering forgotten historical narratives through their podcast, Womanica. In 2019, Jenny (Class of 2006), co-founder of Wonder Media Network, joined forces with Liz (Class of 2000) to create this unique platform. Jenny is the show's host, while Liz meticulously conducts research for each episode.

The genesis of Womanica stemmed from a desire to reshape and retell a version of history that is more nuanced and includes a more diverse representation of our past. Jenny explained, "We really wanted to get a better understanding of who we weren't learning about in our history classes." The sisters seek to highlight the untold lives of remarkable women by ensuring that their stories become woven into our understanding of the past. Liz added, "These stories are not only entertaining, but can help make the world a little better, expanding the diversity of experiences of women throughout time and the understanding of how women have shaped history can add fuel to the fight of why women should have equal rights now.”

With episodes lasting around five minutes, the Kaplans make Womanica easily digestible by allowing listeners to seamlessly incorporate these stories into their daily lives. Jenny descibes her work as a "gift" and one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.

Liz Kaplan

For Jenny, Womanica is more than a podcast; this work is her contribution to tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the world through acts of kindness and justice. “I think there is a lot of power in storytelling. I think it’s how to build empathy as human beings and using storytelling to try to understand what people are going through. I think that is a really powerful value of Judaism and is a core reason for why I started Wonder Media Network.” Reflecting on her time at B'nai Shalom, Jenny emphasized how her education instilled confidence, a quality that has served her well beyond life at B’nai Shalom.

Jenny and the Class of 2006

“My love of historical biography started at B’nai Shalom,” said Liz.  She recalled reading over 35 great American biography books in just four months during second grade. This passion manifested in Womanica, where she insisted on featuring an episode about a favorite from her B’nai days, Annie Oakley. Liz connects her work on the podcast to the rich Jewish tradition of storytelling, emphasizing how Jews have endured by conveying their history and values through compelling narratives. Liz remarked, “In so many ways, Jews are an anachronism to have lasted for this long and so much of that can be attributed to our ability to convey our history, our peoplehood, who we are, and who we want to be through stories.”

In essence, Womanica serves as a testament to the sisters' commitment to diversity, equality, and empathy. Liz's belief that storytelling is fundamental to Jewish survival resonates through the podcast, reinforcing the importance of understanding and preserving our history through the lens of forgotten women. Through Womanica, Jenny and Liz Kaplan are not just sharing stories—they are bridging the past, present, and future, and contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate world.

For more information about Womanica, find them on Facebook and Instagram!