4 Sep 2025
The state of Jewish education
The podcast "Bonjour Chai" delves into the complexities and expectations surrounding Jewish day school education, raising questions about the benchmarks for successful Jewish education beyond just academic learning. Hosts explore the societal and cultural implications of choosing Jewish education, discussing why some families might prioritize it even if they hold more liberal views at home.
27 Aug 2025
Elul: High Holiday Foreplay
Avi and Matthew discuss the frenetic preparation that synagogue leaders undertake during Elul, the month leading up to the High Holidays, and the importance of community support to prevent clergy burnout. They also contemplate the shifts within the conservative Jewish movement concerning interfaith marriages and the broader cultural phenomena represented by high-profile events such as celebrity weddings.
14 Aug 2025
How can anyone be certain of anything happening in Israel?
The podcast episode discusses the complexities and challenges of understanding the Israel-Gaza conflict in the current media landscape, acknowledging the influence of biased reporting and the pervasive nature of differing narratives. The hosts express the difficulty of forming well-informed opinions about such matters due to the vast amount of unknown information and explore themes of Jewish identity and power with references to the week's Torah portion.
1 Aug 2025
The Jewish Angle: Is it ‘lashon hara’ to make fun of the Coldplay Jumbotron couple?
Phoebe Maltz Bovy and Avi Finegold discuss whether discussing a viral affair caught at a Coldplay concert is lashon hara, the Jewish concept of harmful gossip. They also explore contemporary social and ethical issues like the potential power dynamics within the affair, comparing modern reactions to historical and cultural Jewish teachings.
24 Jul 2025
Brave Jew World: The future of Judaism and AI, feat. David Zvi Kalman
David Zvi Kalman discusses the potential transformation of Jewish life through artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI's unique ability to mimic human behavior may fundamentally impact religious practices and rabbinical roles. He distinguishes AI from previous technologies by highlighting its unprecedented speed, transformative capabilities, and the moral challenges it presents for Jewish leaders.
17 Jul 2025
The great Cholent debate + Grok's wild antisemitism
The episode delves into the impact of new technologies, such as AI and chatbots, on Jewish life, discussing whether these technologies are mirror images of existing cultural issues or new phenomena altogether. Additionally, the hosts engage in a lighthearted debate on the appropriateness of eating cholent, a traditional Shabbat stew, on days other than Shabbat, and discuss the modern elevation of traditional Ashkenazi cuisine.
10 Jul 2025
Small-tent Judaism: The way of the future?
Rabbi Ari Witkin argues against an overly inclusive Jewish engagement approach, suggesting that liberal Judaism's focus on accessibility has resulted in a loss of depth and Jewish literacy. The episode also touches on the historical and contemporary Jewish perspectives on horoscopes, showing the diverse views within Judaism on this topic.
3 Jul 2025
UJA, JNF, ADL, CIJA... TTYL?
The hosts discuss the relevance and effectiveness of legacy Jewish institutions like UJA, CIJA, ADL, and JNF amidst rising antisemitism, questioning the continued financial support from the community. The conversation also delves into the efficiency of the existing Jewish federation system versus grassroots activism, exploring potential strategies and challenges in combating antisemitism.
26 Jun 2025
Rabba Yedida and the taxonomy of orthodoxy
Rabba Yedida Eisenstat, a recent graduate of Yeshivat Maharat, joins her co-hosts to discuss her ordination and the challenges and opportunities of women in Orthodox clergy roles. Focusing on the development of her rabbinic identity and the historical hurdles for women in Orthodox leadership, the conversation explores varying perspectives on religious titles and leadership authenticity within Judaism.
18 Jun 2025
Shabbat-observant Jews: Keep your phone on for war updates, or stay religiously offline?
Hosts Avi Finegold, Yedida Eisenstat, and Matthew Leibl discuss the complexities of observing Shabbat during wartime, particularly the balancing act for observant Jews needing to stay informed during emergencies. The episode also explores the interconnectedness of Diaspora and Israeli communities, heightened in crisis times, and the challenges and adaptations faced in religious practice.
12 Jun 2025
Debating the World Zionist Congress: Should Diaspora Jews get a say in Israeli affairs?
Hosts Avi Finegold, Yedida Eisenstat, and Matthew Leibl critically examine the relevance and structure of the World Zionist Congress elections and ponder the ramifications for Jewish diaspora involvement in Israeli affairs. Their discussion delves into the effectiveness of diaspora political participation and questions whether such influence aligns with the legacy of Herzl's original Zionist vision.
28 May 2025
How to speak to your kids about the Washington murders
In light of the recent Washington D.C. shootings of Israeli embassy staffers, the podcast hosts discuss the increasing unsafe environment for Jews globally, including reactions to antisemitism and travel advisories. They share personal approaches to discussing these events with children, navigating the complexities of identity, community security, and the influence of media on the perception of Jewish safety.
21 May 2025
Are denominations still relevant?
The episode discusses the ongoing relevance of Jewish denominations, focusing on a Reconstructionist synagogue's vote about its association with Reconstructing Judaism. The conversation explores how denominational identities are becoming less significant for Jews, with many looking to new ways of connecting and defining their practice outside traditional movement lines.
15 May 2025
1 in 3 Canadian Jews have a non-Jewish spouse. What does that mean for the country's Jewish future?
Hosts Avi Finegold, Yedida Eisenstat, and Matthew Leibl, joined by special guest Phoebe Maltz Bovy, discuss recent findings on intermarriage trends among Canadian Jews, exploring implications for Jewish identity and community continuity. They reflect on evolving perceptions of intermarriage and how it may influence Jewish practice and continuity in Canada.
8 May 2025
Burlesque Shabbat and kosher omakase: Is this really the future of Judaism?
The episode discusses the novel approaches to Jewish identity and communal life through unique events like "Sinner's Shabbat," a burlesque show in New York, and "Fins and Scales," a kosher omakase dining experience in Manhattan. Hosts also delve into the emotional impact of the March of the Living trip, questioning the balance between educational trauma and communal bonding in such experiences.
1 May 2025
How do we memorialize events when we're still living through them?
The episode delves into how Jewish communities navigate memorializing contemporary events like Yom HaShoah, Yom Hazikaron, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, especially with the fresh wounds of events like October 7 still open. Hosts discuss the intersection of memory engineering, the planning of new commemorations such as Oct. 7, and how this impacts Jewish identity today.
23 Apr 2025
Should rabbis politicize the pulpit?
Rabbis and communal leaders are grappling with their role in political discourse, with some advocating for the politicization of the pulpit while others call for a focus on unifying themes. The debate reflects broader questions about Jewish identity, particularly how Jewish values influence political decisions amid current global tensions.
11 Apr 2025
The Fourth Annual Great Canadian Seder
Bonjour Chai's fourth Great Canadian Seder features a diverse group of notable Canadian Jews sharing unique insights and stories about Passover traditions, national politics, and personal reflections. The episode includes intriguing takes on seder customs, humorous anecdotes, and contemplations on contemporary issues such as borders and freedom.
4 Apr 2025
Conscious Uncoupling
Avi Finegold and Phoebe Maltz Bovy engage in a final discussion for "Bonjour Chai," covering the controversial documentaries "No Other Land" and "October 8" which highlight the polarized debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in North America. They also explore the recent trend of Jewish Yale professors relocating to Canada due to political tensions in the United States, adding another layer to the discourse on academic freedom.
20 Mar 2025
Hasid or Hipster?
Mik Moore discusses the revival of 'Heeb' magazine, aiming to recapture the innovative and rebellious Jewish cultural spirit of the early 2000s for a new generation. He outlines the project's goals to explore Jewish subcultures and confront modern challenges, including the resurgence of antisemitism, while maintaining the irreverence and humor of the original publication.