Podcast Summary: The Moth – "Brian Finkelstein: Jewish Blood. Irish Heart"

Episode Information:

• Title: Jewish Blood. Irish Heart.
• Host/Author: The Moth
• Release Date: December 21, 2009

Introduction to the Story

In the episode titled "Jewish Blood. Irish Heart," storyteller Brian Finkelstein shares a personal narrative that intertwines his complex family heritage with an unexpected adventure in Ireland. Recorded live at The Moth’s main stage in December 2003, Brian's tale explores themes of cultural identity, familial expectations, and the serendipitous connections that shape our lives.

Family Background

Brian begins by delving into his family dynamics, highlighting the cultural clash between his Jewish father and Irish Protestant mother. He describes his father as "agnostic, atheist, [and] lazy," emphasizing his cynical disdain for the concept of Judaism beyond its stereotypical associations with misanthropy (02:13). In contrast, his mother is portrayed as passionately embracing her Irish heritage, eagerly participating in traditional holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, and St. Patrick’s Day.

Despite their differences, Brian reveals the pressure exerted by his mother to maintain Irish traditions, including annual trips to Ireland. While his siblings have complied, Brian resisted, preferring to stay in New York, asserting, "We live in New York. You don't need to go to Europe," (02:13).

The Trip to Ireland

A turning point in Brian's story occurs when he agrees to join his coworker, Aideen—a fellow Irish native—on a holiday trip to Ireland. Initially, Brian anticipates a straightforward visit, expecting his coworkers to accompany him. However, he finds himself alone upon arrival, as Aideen had already departed, leaving him to navigate his Irish journey solo (05:45).

His first encounter with Aideen in Dublin sets the stage for a series of humorous and eye-opening experiences. Brian recounts their dinner at an authentic Irish-Chinese restaurant, where a conversation about smoking reveals Aideen's struggle with cigarette addiction: "She says she's a recovering alcoholic," (07:30).

Meeting Aideen and Adjusting Plans

As Brian and Aideen embark on their exploration of Ireland, Brian shares his inability to relate to constant travel, humorously noting the impracticality of visiting every tourist spot: "It's not that big of a country. Whatever," (09:15). Their itinerary includes visits to Westport, Achill Island, Wicklow Mountains, and the Cliffs of Moher, each destination offering unique insights into Irish culture and landscapes.

However, Brian's attempts to maintain his peacekeeping facade are continuously challenged. Despite Aideen's support, he finds himself secretly indulging in alcohol and cigarettes, leading to a humorous internal struggle: "I'm sneakling down and getting some beer and pack of cigarettes." (11:00).

Discovering Patty and the Chieftains

The narrative reaches its peak upon arrival in Wicklow, where Aideen introduces Brian to her family, including Patty, a charismatic figure and member of the renowned band, The Chieftains. Brian describes Patty as "the coolest guy in the world," highlighting the instant camaraderie that forms between them.

An impromptu Thanksgiving celebration—an unusual holiday in Ireland—serves as the backdrop for deeper revelations. Patty’s enthusiastic embrace of the holiday leads to a spontaneous turkey hunt, culminating in a festive meal that underscores the blending of Irish and American traditions: "I hate corned beef, but Patty every year sends me a bottle of ponchi from Ireland," (14:00).

Building Friendships and Traditions

Brian's time with Patty and his newfound Irish friends solidifies a meaningful friendship that transcends cultural barriers. An unexpected encounter with the BBC, facilitated by Patty’s introductions, adds a layer of absurdity and humor to his adventure: "I'm there on the BBC, and he explains that I went to school in New York since young, so I don't have an Irish accent." (13:30).

Upon returning to New York, Brian maintains his connection with The Chieftains, attending their Carnegie Hall performance and participating in celebratory dinners. These interactions lead to enduring traditions, such as celebrating St. Patrick’s Day annually with his mother, complete with Irish moonshine (ponchi) sent by Patty: "Now every year, I go to my mom's house up in upstate New York, and we have St. Patrick's Day." (15:00).

Conclusion and Reflection

Brian concludes his story by reflecting on his journey from reluctance to embracing aspects of his Irish heritage. While he still harbors reservations about certain traditions, his experiences in Ireland have fostered a unique blend of cultural identities: "I don't know if I feel Irish, but like, and I definitely still hate corned beef... I can get on board with that, you know. So I guess I'm Irish." (14:45).

Through humor and honesty, Brian Finkelstein’s story captures the essence of navigating and reconciling diverse cultural backgrounds, ultimately celebrating the unexpected friendships and traditions that enrich our lives.

Notable Quotes:

• "My father's Jewish and my mother's Irish, but my Jewish father to him he's agnostic, he's atheist, he's lazy." — Brian Finkelstein (02:13)
• "We live in New York. You don't need to go to Europe." — Brian Finkelstein (03:00)
• "I'm sneakling down and getting some beer and pack of cigarettes." — Brian Finkelstein (11:00)
• "I hate corned beef, but Patty every year sends me a bottle of ponchi from Ireland." — Brian Finkelstein (14:00)
• "I don't know if I feel Irish, but like, and I definitely still hate corned beef... I can get on board with that, you know. So I guess I'm Irish." — Brian Finkelstein (14:45)

Timestamp Reference: For clarity, the timestamps correspond to the minutes and seconds in the original podcast transcript.

About the Storyteller: Brian Finkelstein is a comedic writer and performer known for his one-person show "First Day off in a Long Time," which was selected for the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen and later developed into a pilot for Fox. He has also been an Emmy-nominated writer for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Supporting The Moth: The Moth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of storytelling. Listeners are encouraged to support the organization by becoming members or donating, ensuring the continuation of free storytelling podcasts and live events. Visit themoth.org for more information.