Episodes

  • She's Not Italian, She's Jewish! The Sopranos' Jamie-Lynn Sigler + What is Shavout?!

    She's Not Italian, She's Jewish! The Sopranos' Jamie-Lynn Sigler + What is Shavout?!
    May 19 2026
    The Sopranos star Jamie-Lynn Sigler gets brutally honest about Judaism, fame, motherhood, and living with MS in one of her most personal interviews ever.In one of the podcast’s most open and deeply personal episodes so far Jamie-Lynn Sigler, best known for playing Meadow Soprano on The Sopranos, reflects on growing up Jewish on Long Island, navigating Hollywood at a young age, and finding strength in Jewish identity and community. The two discuss that advocacy doesn't have to be about conflict, but about just sharing your positive experiences with the world. She shares how a transformative Birthright Israel trip deepened her connection to Judaism and Israel especially through experiences in Jerusalem.Sigler also opens up about living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the emotional toll of hiding her diagnosis for years, and how finally speaking publicly changed her life. The conversation explores marriage, mental health, and the pressure to appear “perfect” while struggling privately. Jamie-Lynn talks about her new memoir, And So It Is: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope, and her podcasts MeSsy with Christina Applegate and Not Today, PAL. Together, she and Jonah connect with each other on their vulnerability, Jewish pride, and the freedom that comes from finally being fully yourself.Plus, Rabbi David Ingbar returns to the podcast (Three-Timer!!!) to discuss the history and importance of the Jewish Holiday, Shavout. Topics discussed:Discussion about Jewish visibility, stereotypes about what Jewish people “look like,” and proudly embracing her Cuban, Greek, and Jewish heritage.Sigler talks about living with Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) and why going public about her diagnosis changed her life.The emotional process behind writing her memoir And So It Is: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope and narrating the audiobook herself.How podcasting opened her emotionally Caregiving, marriage, and parenting with her husband Cutter while navigating life with MS. Sigler explains how The Sopranos became a “safe haven” during struggles with eating disorders, MS, and personal insecurities. The Sopranos Executive Producer David Chase and how Meadow Soprano served as Sigler’s “Sasha Fierce” alter ego. The importance of Jewish community, Shabbat dinners, and raising her sons Jack and Beau with pride in their Jewish heritage.Sigler shares her perspective on Israel, Holocaust education, and visiting the Holocaust Museum during her Birthright experience. Discussion of disability representation in Hollywood and why productions should hire actors actually living with disabilities and chronic illness. Sigler discusses acting projects including Big Sky and how accommodations on set helped her work comfortably with MS.Mentioned in the episode:Rabbi David IngberWhat is Shavuot?Why Cheesecake on Shavuot?What Are the Five Books of Moses?Simon SinekCounting Up to ShavuotThe Intrinsic Unity of IsraelMount SinaiHEBREW WORD OF THE WEEK —TIKUN Dara Horn BJJP EpisodeAnd So It Is: A Memoir of Acceptance and HopeMultiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment OptionsJamie Lynn Sigler InstagramJamie Lynn Sigler IMDbThe Sopranos IMDbYad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance CenterEmmanuel Chriqui InstagramHollywood stars boycott Israeli film companies in response to Gaza crisisJamie-Lynn Sigler and Lance Bass' whirlwind trip to Israel in photosA Course in MiraclesMeSsy PodcastNot Today, PAL with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler (Podcast)David Chase IMDbWhat Jamie-Lynn Sigler Wants You to Know About MSWho Is Jamie-Lynn Sigler’s Husband? All About Cutter DykstraBirthright IsraelSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Rachel Stern, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Hollywood to Holy Land: Screenwriter-turned-Orthodox Rabbi Shmuel Lynn

    Hollywood to Holy Land: Screenwriter-turned-Orthodox Rabbi Shmuel Lynn
    May 15 2026
    A Hollywood writer turned rabbi reveals the unbelievable true stories of Jewish survival history that they never taught in school.Host Jonah Platt reunites with Rabbi Shmuel Lynn, his former University of Pennsylvania Maimonides Leadership Program teacher, to discuss Lynn’s path from screenwriting (Duke, NYU Film School, LA) to Orthodox Jewish education and leading young adults. Lynn describes growing up amid antisemitism in Palm Beach, discovering observant Jews in Hollywood, and being drawn to meaningful Jewish history through a Holocaust writing job. He explains his focus on college and post-college Jews through Olami in Greenwich Village, emphasizing immersive, curated experiences and storytelling to create individual and generational change.Topics include:Jonah Platt reflects on meeting Rabbi Lynn through the Maimonides Leadership Program while attending the University of Pennsylvania. Working in Hollywood with writers from The Cosby Show and Will & Grace sparked Rabbi Lynn’s deeper exploration of Judaism and observant Jewish life. Rabbi Lynn discusses writing a Holocaust screenplay centered on Kristallnacht and how that project deepened his connection to Jewish history. The episode explores Rabbi Lynn’s Holocaust film about Bardejov and the true story of 999 Slovakian Jewish girls bound for Auschwitz concentration camp in 1942. Rabbi Lynn recounts how Jews in Slovakia prevented deportations by staging a fake typhus outbreak during the Holocaust. Rabbi Lynn explains the mission behind Olami and his Jewish center in Greenwich Village focused on college students and young professionals.The conversation highlights immersive Jewish education, including theater productions about the Spanish Inquisition and immigrant journeys through Ellis Island.Rabbi Lynn discusses leading student trips through Poland, Krakow, Budapest, and Slovakia to teach Holocaust history and Jewish perseverance.The episode explores the upcoming screenplay Rabbi Lynn is developing about the Soviet Jewry movement, including references to the KGB, the Iron Curtain, and Soviet Jewish activism.Mentioned in the episode:Rabbi Shmuel Lynn InstagramRabbi Shmuel Lynn LinktreeRabbi Shmuel Lynn FacebookRabbi Shmuel Lynn LinkedInUniversity of PennsylvaniaMaimonides Leaders FellowshipPalm Beach FloridaDuke UniversityNYU Film SchoolCosby ShowWill and GraceKristallnachtBardejov (Film)BardejovTransportation to AuschwitzAuschwitzOlamiOlami ManhattanBishvili nivra ha-olamNew York, Circa 1909ShemaOlami Events Julie PlattSoviet Jewry MovementSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Story Producer: Sasha Nelson, Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associate: Rachel Stern YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    27 mins
  • “Bad Jews” (replay) & Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt

    “Bad Jews” (replay) & Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt
    May 12 2026
    What happens when one of the world’s leading Holocaust scholars says today’s antisemitism feels frighteningly familiar?In this vital episode Holocaust historian and former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt discusses the dangerous surge and normalization of antisemitism worldwide, citing the incidents in London and the October 8, 2023 Sydney Opera House rally. Lipstadt argues antisemitism now operates as a “horseshoe” uniting extremes at the far right and left. She uses the analogy of an upside-down pyramid to illustrate the threat to Jews, democracy, and international security (including “utilitarian antisemitism” on PRC platforms). She compares today to the 1930s while noting key differences. She critiques university groupthink and campus failures at UCLA and Columbia to protect Jewish students. She describes her envoy work shifting from Abraham Accords, including global guidelines signed by 44 entities and a symposium with major tech platforms. She calls for unequivocal leadership, depoliticized action, education, and everyday speaking up. She emphasizes that there must be Jewish joy alongside fighting hate.Topics include:Lipstadt’s legal battle against Holocaust denier David Irving and the film adaptation starring Rachel Weisz. Lipstadt warns about rising antisemitic violence in London, including incidents in Golders Green and the Finchley Reform Synagogue. The episode examines antisemitic protests outside the Sydney Opera House following October 7, 2023. The discussion references the spread of antisemitic content on social media platforms including Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and X. Lipstadt describes international diplomacy surrounding the Abraham Accords and outreach to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Lipstadt praises cooperation from officials in Austria, Germany, and France in combating antisemitism. The Paris Peace Forum and comments by former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls following the Charlie Hebdo shooting and the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket siege. Lipstadt discusses online hate campaigns targeting Jewish institutions including the 92nd Street Y and AIPAC. The murder of Mahsa Amini in Iran and global protests over women’s rights. Lipstadt and Platt discuss authors and commentators including Dara Horn, Douglas Murray, Bret Stephens, Candace Owens, and Tucker Carlson. Lipstadt reflects on Jewish education through organizations like BBYO, USY, and institutions including Emory University and Brandeis University. Surprising Global Allies in France and AustriaMentioned in the episode:Deborah LipstadtBrandeis UniversityEmory UniversityThe Tam Institute for Jewish StudiesDenying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and MemoryDenial (2016 film)Rachel Weisz InstagramPresident Joe BidenA Conversation With U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah LipstadtAntisemitism being 'normalized' and not taken seriously enough, chief rabbi tells BBCThird arrest over attempted arson at synagoguePolice investigate pro-Palestinian protest at Sydney Opera House over alleged anti-SemitismMarjorie Taylor Greene to resign from Congress amid clashes with Trump over Israel, EpsteinBinyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu - BiographyCode Pink Outs Itself as Anti-Jewish Hate GroupRothschild familyGunman Kills Three at Kansas City Jewish Community Center, Retirement HomeUCLA can’t allow protesters to block Jewish students from campus, judge rulesFinal Columbia University antisemitism report details disturbing examples of Jewish students being cruelly singled outMet Police apologizes for 'openly Jewish' commentParis Peace ForumManuel VallsCharlie Hebdo attack: Three days of terror‘Déjà Vu’: Remembering Hyper Cacher Five Years LaterOtto FrankReport of the Yale Committee on Trust in Higher EducationTel Aviv UniversityBBYOVenice Biennale previews in chaos, overshadowed by row over Israeli and Russian participationSara J. BloomfieldAbraham AccordsLeading Jewish Organizations Disturbed By Saudi Arabia’s Islamist TurnWahhabismFight against antisemitismKeir Starmer: ‘If you stand alongside people who say Globalize the Intifada, you are calling for terrorism against Jews’‘Globalize the Intifada’: Meaning, Origins, and Why The Slogan Is a Call for ViolenceEmory Together: Countering Antisemitism // DCCouncil of EuropeOrganization of American StatesOSCEWould-be Michigan car bomber rammed explosives-laden truck into Temple Israel preschool — before security guards shot him deadNCSYUSYA Break in the Argentina Murder Case Tied to IranIran: Mahsa Amini's father accuses authorities of a cover-up92nd Street YAIPACDebbie Wasserman SchultzDutch ministers decry Israeli ministry’s report on Amsterdam violenceTrump Is Right to Deport Hamas SupportersFiddler on the RoofGrace and FrankieJon OssoffThe Presidential Campaign That Changed American PoliticsShabbatPurimPassoverThe Metropolitan Museum of ArtWhat ...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Epistemic Antisemitism and Black Conservative Influencer Xaviaer DuRousseau

    Epistemic Antisemitism and Black Conservative Influencer Xaviaer DuRousseau
    May 5 2026
    From viral firestorms to death threats, this man isn’t backing down from the Israel conversation.Jonah Platt sits down with conservative activist Xaviaer DuRousseau, who describes his rapid shift from a Bernie-supporting, BLM-boosting young liberal to a professional Republican who appears on Fox News, visits the White House, and publicly supports Israel, including traveling to Gaza during the war. Xaviaer recounts growing up in Chicago and Central Illinois with Marxist family influences, becoming an activist, then researching BLM finances and concluding the movement was fraudulent, which led him to vote for Trump and face family accusations of white supremacy. He argues Bernie-to-Trump is a seamless anti-establishment pipeline, rejects widespread student-loan forgiveness as a solution, and says crime drives businesses and jobs out of black neighborhoods. Xaviaer credits a 2023 Shabbat dinner at PragerU and multiple Israel trips with deepening his connection to Jewish life, describing backlash, antisemitism, death threats, and filming humanitarian aid in Gaza to counter starvation claims. He criticizes anti-Israel voices across the left and right, advocates a black/Jewish alliance based on shared history, and discusses resentment, Marxism, and cultural lessons between the communities.Xaviaer presents his “hot takes” on most modern-day racism being against white people and asians, how he would be talking shit all day if he were jewish, and how “hood” black folks love Trump.Plus, Jonah explains why epistemic antisemitism, despite its subtlety and widespread normalization, is so terribly destructive.Topics Include: Xaviaer DuRousseau’s viral trip to Gaza documenting humanitarian aid and response to misinformation and the backlash from European audiences and online threats following his Gaza video How a Netflix show called The Circle was the unexpected catalyst for DuRousseau's political awakeningHis criticism of influencers like Hasan Piker, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Nick FuentesHow PragerU’s CEO Marissa Streit in 2023 was DuRousseau's first real introduction to Jewish culture and traditionHis fallout with Candace Owens Experiences attending Passover Seder hosted by Montana TuckerThe historical alliance between Black Americans and Jewish Americans during the Civil Rights MovementCritique of Black Lives Matter (BLM) and discussions of Marxism in modern activism Exploration of Igbo Jews in Nigeria and Xaviaer’s possible ancestral ties to IsraelInfluence of activist Rudy Rochman in discussing Jewish identity and African connections Commentary on celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and Seth Rogen in relation to Jewish identityMentioned in the episode:Law Scholar Christine A. LittletonEpistemic Antisemitism: “Good People Gone Wild”David Schraub’s The Epistemic Center of AntisemitismJonah’s take on Cognitive BiasAJC Warns: Staggering FBI Hate Crimes Data Likely Represents Under-Reporting of Anti-Jewish Hate CrimesReport on the Rise of Antisemitic Incidents in the U.S.Man Pleads Guilty for Displaying Nazi Flay at Pro-Palestine RallyTwitch streamer commenting on what “real antisemitism” is. When Did Jews Become White?Van Jones’s Statement Supporting the People of IranIsraeli’s Voice Dissent of War in GazeReverse CausationBeing Jewish Podcast Featuring Bishop Michael J. FisherXaviaer DuRousseau InstagramRespectfully, Xaviaer | PragerUBernie SandersHe used to march for BLM. Now he’s calling for mass incarceration to save Black AmericansXaviaer’s Instagram Post on Visiting Gaza During the WarThe debate on Latino vs. Latinx vs. Hispanic is the song that never endsThe Circle: TV’s Trashiest Reality Show We Can’t Stop WatchingXaviaer DuRousseau: PragerU Personality, Commentator, and Content CreatorAP lands national scoop on a Black Lives Matter fraud investigationActBlueNew Report Reveals Illicit Foreign Donations and Mass Resignations at ActBluePresident Donald J. TrumpKamala D. Harris Here's How Bernie Sanders Explained Democratic SocialismPresident Barack ObamaJoseph R. Biden Jr.Xaviaer’s Appearance on Dr. PhilBlack Unemployment is Surging Under Donald TrumpCandace Owens Instagram5 of Kanye West’s Antisemitic Remarks, ExplainedBLEXIT, ‘Black Exit’ Foundation Now Powered By Turning Point USAQuotas are a diversity quick-fix, but companies must dig deeperRacism in the music industry 'is upfront and personal'K. Michelle Talks Double-Standard for Black Pop SingersFox News Gues Called Out for Shading Beyoncé’s Appearance at Harris Houston Rally Despite Past PraiseBeyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, explainedAre Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market DiscriminationMarissa StreitWhat to Expect at a Shabbat DinnerWas I Paid to Visit Israel?Myth: The Jewish people are white settler colonialists who have no connection to the land of IsraelWhat Is the Correct Term for Someone Who Is Not Jewish?Debra Lea InstagramYad ...
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Shopify President Harley Finkelstein & The Jews of Thessaloniki

    Shopify President Harley Finkelstein & The Jews of Thessaloniki
    Apr 28 2026
    He's worth hundreds of millions, runs one of Canada's most powerful companies, and he still gets antisemitic replies every Friday when he posts “Shabbat Shalom,” here's why he refuses to stop.Shopify President Harley Finkelstein joins host Jonah Platt for a wide-ranging conversation about Jewish identity, antisemitism, entrepreneurship, and legacy. Finkelstein, a grandson of Holocaust survivors whose family fled Hungary during the Soviet crackdown of the 1950s, opens up about why he has grown increasingly vocal as a public Jewish figure in Canada, especially in the wake of October 7th. He recounts two pivotal incidents that motivated his public advocacy: protesters storming his Big Shot podcast recording at Startup Fest, and demonstrators disrupting his speech at the opening of the Finkelstein Chabad Center in Ottawa. He discusses his relationship with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Shopify's massive e-commerce footprint (14% of all U.S. e-commerce), and his journey from being one of Shopify's first 136 merchants to its president. He also digs into Big Shot, his podcast with David Siegel that archives the stories of legendary Jewish entrepreneurs, from Charles Bronfman to Jeffrey Katzenberg, arguing that grit is the defining trait behind Jewish entrepreneurial success.Plus, Jonah shares about his recent trip to Thessaloniki, Greece where he explored Jewish history. Topics:His published an op-ed in the National Post about rising antisemitism in CanadaMeeting Shopify founder Tobi Lutke at a Saturday entrepreneur coffee groupFinkelstein advocates loudly for visible Jewish philanthropy, arguing that public giving creates a "flywheel" of inspirationFinkelstein and David Siegel co-founding Fire Belly TeaFigures who inspired him like Jerry Schwartz and Izzy Sharp. His optimism for AI and technologyMeeting his wife Lindsay Taub, and his view on her being a partner in lifeWhy he does the Big Shot podcastBeing in a public role and the responsibility that comes with thatThe importance of jewish advocacy and leading by exampleA special thanks to our partner this week - Hadassah.orgDonation Links:Synagogue of the Monasteriotes (Thessaloniki)The Jewish Community of AthensChabad of GreeceJewish Museum of GreeceMentioned in the episode:The Jews of Thessaloniki, a Once Great Jewish CitySephardic Jews in Eastern Europe and GreeceRomaniote Jewish HistoryThe Route Saint Paul Followed In Greece1492 Alhambra DecreeTalmud Torah HaGadolThe Cooking Accident that Decimated a Jewish Community of 70,000The Treaty of LausanneThe Nazi Occupation of GreeceAristotle University Built on The Ruins of Jewish CemeteriesJewish Federations’ National Young Leadership CabinetJonah Describes “The Jeremiah Effect”Ladino! Ron Eliran: Folk Songs for Sephardic JewsHarley Finkelstein InstagramHarley Finkelstein LinkedInRed ScareHow September 11 Affected the U.S. Stock MarketShopifyBig ShotHarley Finkelstein weekly Shabbat Shalom post on XHarley Finkelstein’s Article: Canadian Jews are being targeted simply because they are JewishHeather ReismanShopify President Makes Good on 18-Year-Old Promise to His Campus RabbiTobias Lütke LinkedIn Harley Finkelstein X Jonathan GreenblattThe Right Honorable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of CanadaJustin Trudeau | Former Prime Minister of CanadaSamuel BronfmanBobby KotickIsadore SharpDubai-based Augustus Media pushes Shopify boycott over president’s tweet supporting fair reporting about IsraelGerry SchwartzBJJP Howie Mandel EpisodeLindsay Taub (Harley Finkelstein’s spouse)David SegalHollywood’s Jewish FoundersCharles Bronfman: A Lifetime of GivingJeffrey KatzenbergBarry DillerLynda ResnickThe Merchant Prince: The Man Behind The Gap, Old Navy, and J. Crew | Mickey DrexlerLarry SilversteinDeni Avdija becomes 1st Israeli named to NBA All-Star GameSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • The KKK vs. Antizionism and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (Dem, NJ-5)

    The KKK vs. Antizionism and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (Dem, NJ-5)
    Apr 21 2026
    In this timely episode, host Jonah Platt sits down with Josh Gottheimer, the five-term U.S. Congressman serving New Jersey’s Fifth District. Josh is a leading pro-Israel voice in the Democratic Party and Vice-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus (which he co-founded). In Congress, Josh serves on two Committees, including the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Ranking Member of the National Security Agency and Cyber Subcommittee and is a member of the Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture Subcommittee. Gottheimer shares candid insights on navigating politics while being Jewish. He discusses U.S. action against Iran, arguing Iran is a major threat but criticizing the administration for shifting objectives and failing to clearly explain goals, which fuels public skepticism and risks a drawn-out conflict affecting oil prices, markets, and regional stability. He rejects conditioning aid to Israel as unfairly targeting a key democratic ally and condemns the use of “apartheid” rhetoric. He describes a major rise in antisemitism, political incentives pushing members of Congress to retreat from support for Israel, and calls for coordinated Jewish-community investment in K–12 and campus education, accountability for institutions, and tougher political engagement.Plus, Jonah answers a podcast fan’s question on how to make anti-zionism taboo. Topics discussed include: The shifting center of the left and the rightThe role of the Problem Solvers Caucus in bipartisan cooperation in Congress Why the U.S.-Israel relationship is vital to American national securityGottheimer’s work on the House Intelligence Committee and focus on Iran and GazaCriticism of Gavin Newsom for using the term “apartheid” regarding IsraelThe influence of social media figures like Hasan Piker and political figures like Donald Trump on polarization Addressing antisemitic rhetoric tied to movements like BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions)Concerns about antisemitism and activism on college campuses like the University of PennsylvaniaHolding elected officials accountable at the local, state, and federal levels for antisemitism The importance of strategic philanthropy and community coordination within the American Jewish communityA special thanks to our partner this week Hadassah.orgMentioned in the episode:Founding of the Ku Klux KlanThe Transformation of the KKK from Fraternity to Religious Extremists. 1924 Democratic National Conventions - “Klanbake”DNC Avoids Taking a Stance on Israel, AIPACThe Growing Antisemitism Among Young AmericansVanderbilt Professor Shaul KelnerBriahna Joy Gray fired from The Hill after rolling her eyes at the sister of Oct 7 hostage during an interviewThe Timeline of the SPLC Case That Bankrupted the KlanBrandies CenterStudents Against AntisemitismThe Lawfare ProjectKlan Members Murder Conviction Leads to Decline in Membership and Political InfluenceJosh GottheimerJosh Gottheimer InstagramJosh Gottheimer TwitterSarah Hurwitz BJJP EpisodeRep. Josh Gottheimer: The New Jersey Democrat defending Israel, battling antisemitismProblem Solvers CaucusCongressman Thomas SuozziNational Security Agency & Cyber SubcommitteeGottheimer Votes to Pass War Powers Resolution By the numbers: US thrashed military targets in Iran, but some capabilities remainIranian attack on Saudi base injures U.S. troops as more American forces arrive in the Middle EastHow the US Navy could blockade Iran’s ports and sweep mines from the Strait of HormuzIsrael didn’t drag the US into war with Iran — they enabled us to fight it smarter and fasterU.S. Capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro: Considerations for CongressOil prices rise on doubts US-Iran peace talks will ease Hormuz disruptionThe Abraham Accords, ExplainedArmy survivors of deadly attack in Kuwait dispute Pentagon's account, say unit "was unprepared" to defend itselfGottheimer Statement in Opposition to Conditioning Aid to IsraelSharia-Free America: Why Political Islam & Sharia Law Are Incompatible with the U.S. ConstitutionAyaan Hirsi Ali: 'Queers for Palestine' shows how stupid our society isGottheimer, Foxx Introduce Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Anti-Israel, BDS ActivityGottheimer calls Newsom’s Israel apartheid comments ‘dangerous’Genocide, apartheid? A poll Israel cannot allow itself to ignoreCandace Owens“The Squad” Doubles Down on Anti-Israel CommentsRepresentative Elaine G. Luria Hasan Piker doubles down on Hamas supportUPenn must comply with federal subpoena seeking list of Jewish community members, judge rulesSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on...
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    59 mins
  • Should Jews Proselytize? & Dueling Rabbis PART 2 with Sharon Brous & David Ingber

    Should Jews Proselytize? & Dueling Rabbis PART 2 with Sharon Brous & David Ingber
    Apr 14 2026
    Host Jonah Platt moderates part two of a spirited conversation between Rabbi Sharon Brous (IKAR, Los Angeles) and Rabbi David Ingber (Romemu, New York) about how Jewish leaders should balance moral self-critique of Israel with addressing antisemitism, especially after October 7. Ingber argues progressive Jews and rabbis overemphasize public Jewish self-criticism, undercall out antisemitism and extremism from allies, and should name today’s anti-Zionism as an ever-evolving hate movement that erases Jewish self-determination. Brous defends the Jewish tradition of teshuvah and accountability, urges speaking against West Bank settler violence and occupation, and warns that labeling all criticism or Palestinian solidarity as antisemitic blunts the response to real threats. They also debate U.S. politics, liberal democracy’s role in Jewish safety, Jewish political “homelessness,” and the inclusion of anti-Zionist Jews.Ultimately, the conversation models a deeply Jewish tradition of debate, machloket l’shem shamayim, while emphasizing unity, responsibility, and the need to continue investing in community and the next generation. Topics Include:Trading ideas on whether anti-Zionism is a form of modern antisemitismThe responsibility of rabbis to address West Bank settler violence and Jewish extremism References to Baruch Goldstein and the Cave of the Patriarchs massacre as a moral comparison The role of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran in shaping Jewish security concerns The influence of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter/X on Israel narratives Criticism of language like “apartheid” in discussions about Israel and PalestineThe symbolism of the watermelon flag in pro-Palestinian activism Gavin Newsom and his appearance on Pod Save AmericaThe importance of protecting liberal democracy for Jewish safety in America Failures in Jewish education, including overreliance on programs like Birthright IsraelThe role of JCCs (Jewish Community Centers) and synagogues in strengthening Jewish life The need for machloket l’shem shamayim (debate for the sake of heaven) in shaping the Jewish futureA special thanks to our partners on this episode:Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropieshttps://www.schusterman.orgCrown Family Philanthropieshttps://crownfamilyphilanthropies.org/Jim Joseph Foundationhttps://jimjosephfoundation.org/Mentioned In The Episode:Why Don’t Jews Proselytize?Conversion HistoryThe Converso: Jews converting to Christianity in Spain and Portugal in the 1300sRuth: The First Jewish ConvertHow Many Jews Are In The World?The Jewish BirthrateJewish Intermarriage RatesOur Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (U.S. Public Health Service)American’s Religious Engagement Stays LowGlobal “Wellness” Business Grows to $6.8 TrillionJewish Prayers and Their MeaningsHow to Become JewishSharon Brous InstagramRabbi David IngberIKARRomemu'My mother cried out one last time': Palestinian boy, 12, describes how Israeli forces killed his family in carSurveillance soldiers charge sexism a factor in their Oct. 7 warnings being ignoredWho was Baruch Goldstein? Massacre in HebronSilence is not solidarity: Diaspora Jews must speak when Israel straysWhat is Cheshbon Hanefesh?PogromsWave of settler attacks against Palestinian herders reported in central West BankFourth suspect arrested over Jewish charity ambulance arson attackThe Importance of Tochachah-RebukeAnti-Trump rallies hit thousands of US cities for 'No Kings' protestExplosion rocks Amsterdam Jewish school in what mayor says is ‘targeted attack’ against Jewish communityAs A Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase UsNewsom ramps up his criticism of Israel, accuses Netanyahu of leading Trump into war with IranHorseshoe Theory in American PoliticsThe Z Word: Reclaiming ZionismProtocols of the Elders of ZionVenezuelan VP: US attack capturing Maduro has 'Zionist undertones'Renee Good was shot in the head, autopsy commissioned by her family findsWhy watermelons are a symbol of Palestinian solidarityIsraeli opposition members shout at Netanyahu as he tries to address parliamentEarly History of IsraelWhat Is Tikkun Olam?How to Teach the Jewish StorySvalbard Global Seed VaultThe Valley of Dry Bones and the Resurrection of the Dead--Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive ...
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Jewish Queer Youth (JQY) Executive Director Rachael Fried

    Jewish Queer Youth (JQY) Executive Director Rachael Fried
    Apr 10 2026
    In this episode of 30 Minute Mensches, host Jonah Platt sits down with Rachael Fried, the Executive Director of JQY (Jewish Queer Youth). Rachael shares her personal journey from being a closeted Orthodox participant to leading the organization, which now operates a professional center in New York's Times Square with a $2 million budget. JQY serves as a vital mental health nonprofit dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 13–23) from "historically non-accepting communities," specifically those from Orthodox, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Russian-speaking backgrounds.The discussion covers the critical safety risks facing these teens, including suicide and homelessness, and the creative "guerrilla marketing" JQY employs to reach youth in insular environments where internet access is restricted. Fried addresses the intersection of queer identity and Halakha (Jewish law), referencing Leviticus 18:22 and the principle of Elu v’Elu to advocate for the healthy coexistence of religious and queer identities. Finally, she highlights JQY’s national expansion through virtual drop-in centers, a mobile app, and a national Jewish queer book club.Topics Include:They discuss the scale of need (potentially hundreds of thousands)The episode addresses high-risk factors for queer Jewish youth, including increased rates of suicide, homelessness, and addiction.The discussion explores barriers to information for youth using "kosher phones" or restricted internet in ultra-Orthodox communities.Rachael explains how religious texts are often used to justify cultural homophobia beyond the literal interpretation of the law.The Jewish principle of "Elu v’Elu" (both these and those) is highlighted as a core philosophy for holding both queer and Jewish identities as true.Student activism surrounding a queer club at Yeshiva UniversityThe cultural dimensions of halakha-based rejectionGetting in-contact with the organization if you aren’t in New York CityMentioned In The Episode:Rachael Fried InstagramJewish Queer Youth (JQY) FacebookJQY appJQY InstagramJQY WebsiteAbout JQYLGBTQ+ Jewish Demographic Pew StudKosher PhoneHechsherHalachaLeviticus 18:22Turning it over in the TorahB’tselem ElohimCis/ CisgenderElu v’eluYeshiva UniversityJewish Queer Book Club JQYRuth Bader GinsbergJQY Drop InSupport the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchTo contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishWritten and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Story Producer: Sasha Nelson, Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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    31 mins