29 May 2025
How to Be a Jew …. Who is Starting a Print Magazine, with Alana Newhouse
Alana Newhouse, editor-in-chief of Tablet, discusses the launch of a new print magazine, arguing that in an era dominated by AI-generated content, there is a growing demand for trustworthy, human-created journalism. She highlights the cultural significance for the Jewish community to actively engage with and adapt to societal changes, framing the print magazine as a forward-thinking medium.
14 May 2025
How to Be a Jew ... Who Says Yes to the Dress
Pnina Tornai, renowned Israeli wedding dress designer and star of TLC's 'Say Yes to the Dress,' discusses her unexpected journey from Paris to becoming a global fashion icon and her integral role in showcasing Israeli creativity on the world stage. She reflects on the spiritual significance of her work and shares personal tales of guidance and support, highlighting her commitment to infusing bridal fashion with emotional depth and cultural representation.
7 May 2025
How to Be a Jew … Like Israel's Most Famous Female Architect
Host Courtney Hazlett talks with filmmaker Yael Melamede about her documentary, "ADA: My Mother the Architect," which explores the life and work of renowned Israeli architect Ada Karmi-Melamede. The episode dives into architecture as a transformative art form and how Ada's work, especially the Israeli Supreme Court building, intersects with personal and national identity.
1 May 2025
How To Do Activism Right, with Jay Ruderman, Tuly Weisz, and Pesach Wolicki
Activists Jay Ruderman, Tuly Weisz, and Pesach Wolicki discuss effective activism, emphasizing the importance of a strategic, non-intimidating approach. They explore the significance of the upcoming World Zionist Congress election in reshaping Jewish community policies and promoting a single-state solution for Israel.
1 May 2025
How To Do Activism Right, with Jay Ruderman, Tuly Weiss, and Pesach Woliki
Liel Leibovitz interviews activists Jay Ruderman, Tuly Weiss, and Pesach Woliki on effective activism and the significance of the World Zionist Congress election. Jay Ruderman discusses his advocacy for disability rights and Tuly Weiss and Pesach Woliki highlight the potential impact of this election on Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
30 Apr 2025
How to Be a Jew ... or an ally like Zarna Garg
Comedian Zarna Garg shares her journey as an Indian mom in America, discussing her strong connections to Jewish culture and her stand against antisemitism, particularly in the aftermath of October 7th. Her approach to life includes embracing humor in adversity and promoting allyship and resilience, embodying these themes in her new memoir, 'This American Woman: A One-in-a-Billion Memoir.'
24 Apr 2025
Israel’s Most Controversial Politician, with Itamar Ben-Gvir
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's controversial Minister of National Security, discusses his polarizing views and actions, including his aggressive stance on terrorism and changes in Israeli prison policies. His perspective evokes strong reactions, highlighting the challenging balance between security measures and democratic values in Israel.
23 Apr 2025
How to Be a Jew … like Matisyahu
Matisyahu reflects on his evolution as a Jewish musician, detailing his journey from his early forays into music, to his time immersed in Hasidic Judaism, and onto his current state of faith and fame. He discusses the impact of recent events on his identity and career, along with facing antisemitic protests during concerts.
17 Apr 2025
Passover Crossover - How to Be a Jew ... Like Dara Horn
Author Dara Horn joins the podcast to discuss Jewish responses to tragic events, anti-Semitism, and optimism for the future, alongside her new graphic novel "One Little Goat." The conversation covers themes of Jewish resilience, historical narratives, and strategies to engage younger generations with Jewish storytelling and identity.
16 Apr 2025
Passover Crossover - Rootless - Why Dual Loyalty is Good for the Jews, with Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz
Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz discusses the concept of dual loyalty among American Jews, advocating for a proud embrace of loyalty to both the United States and Israel as complementary rather than conflicting identities. He critiques past tendencies to downplay Jewish identity in favor of universalist values and stresses the importance of reconnecting Jewish youth with their global Jewish community.
10 Apr 2025
Why Oct. 7 Victims Are Suing a Palestinian Mogul, with Gary Osen
Attorney Gary Osen discusses a lawsuit involving Palestinian-American mogul Bashar Masri, whose real estate properties in Gaza allegedly served as Hamas attack sites. The lawsuit highlights the complexities of international aid, the role of entrepreneurial leaders in conflict zones, and the alleged complicity in promoting terrorism under the guise of economic development.
9 Apr 2025
How to Be a Jew … on Passover
Courtney Hazlett and Rabbi Diana Fersko explore crucial and sometimes quirky aspects of Passover, such as the cultural variations in Seder practices and the historic implications of the Exodus story. They discuss the inclusivity of Seders and address the discomfort some feel about non-Jewish communities hosting Christian Seders.
3 Apr 2025
Why God Was Right, with Mark Gerson
Entrepreneur and author Mark Gerson argues in his book 'God Was Right' that multi-millennial Torah prescriptions can be corroborated by contemporary social science, demonstrating their continued relevance. He discusses dating, clothing, and social structures as examples of Torah's practicality, proposing that adopting its principles may remedy modern societal issues.
2 Apr 2025
How to Be a Jew … Like Ayelet Zurer
Ayelet Zurer discusses her portrayal of Ahinoam, a complex biblical character, emphasizing themes of motherhood, identity, and faith. The episode explores how television can offer new interpretations of ancient stories, particularly the roles of women in biblical narratives.
27 Mar 2025
How Israel Will Save Western Civilization, with Josh Hammer
Josh Hammer discusses his book 'Israel and Civilization' with Liel Leibovitz, positing that the future of Western civilization is intricately tied to the success of Israel and the Jewish people. The conversation explores the challenges posed by the Neo-Nietzschean right and the liberal Jewish loss of direction, advocating for a Jewish-Christian coalition to navigate current global tumult.
26 Mar 2025
How to Be a Jew… Who Contemplates the Pig
Jordan Rosenblum explores the profound symbolism of the pig in Jewish culture, highlighting how it's been used to affirm and challenge Jewish identity throughout history. His book "Forbidden" delves into the complexity of kashrut laws, showcasing the pig as a powerful metaphor for Jewish self-definition, resistance, and identity formation.
26 Mar 2025
How to Be a Jew… Who Contemplates the Pig
Jewish Studies professor Jordan Rosenblum explores the symbolic significance of the pig in Jewish culture, addressing both its historical and contemporary impacts on Jewish identity. His discussion in a recent podcast episode highlights the pig as a potent symbol used throughout history, representing transgression and often weaponized against Jews, while also illustrating internal dynamics within Jewish communities regarding dietary laws and identity.
20 Mar 2025
How Universities Lost Their Way, With Cary Nelson
Cary Nelson discusses the ideological decline in universities, particularly how anti-Zionism has contributed to current campus climates of ideological conformity and antisemitism. He argues that comprehensive external oversight and diverse experiences outside academia are vital for restoring academic freedom and intellectual inquiry.
20 Mar 2025
How Universities Lost Their Way, With Cary Nelson
Cary Nelson discusses how universities have shifted from their foundational principles of free inquiry to embracing ideological conformity, driven partly by growing anti-Zionism. This trend has adversely affected Jewish students and faculty, highlighting the urgent need to restore academic freedom and intellectual debate on campus.
19 Mar 2025
How to Be a Jew ... At the World Championships
AJ Edelman, the first Orthodox Jewish athlete in the Winter Olympics, shares insights from the World Bobsled Championships and highlights the challenges faced by Israel's bobsled team in terms of funding, equipment, and recruitment. Despite the dangers and difficulty of the sport, Edelman's passion remains evident as he details both the technical aspects of bobsledding and the operational hurdles in managing the team.