Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

What if the answer to "is antizionism antisemitism" is NO...but not for the reason you think? Adam Louis-Klein breaks down the history, language, and ideas driving the debate. In a thought-provoking conversation, host Jonah Platt interviews Adam Louis-Klein, who returned from anthropological fieldwork with the Desana in the Amazon just after October 7, 2023, to discover the horrors of the attack on Israel. This drove him to become a leading voice opposing antizionism through his writing, appearances, and the organization he founded, Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ). Adam defines antizionism as hatred of Israel and argues it functions like racism via obsessive libels, such as “colonizer,” “apartheid,” and “genocide,” used to justify hostility and violence against Jewish people. He distinguishes pre-1948 Jewish antizionism from modern antizionism, which he traces to Arab nationalist and Soviet propaganda, and criticizes institutional normalization in universities, NGOs, media, and governments. Klein contends antizionism harms Palestinians by empowering militias like Hamas and Hezbollah and outlines a “truth and reconciliation” vision including antizionism studies and memorialization.  Together, Jonah and Adam discuss the history of Bundism, Reform Judaism, Neturei Karta, the Oslo Accords, and debates surrounding the West Bank, Judea and Samaria, and Israeli identity. The episode also explores how to engage progressive audiences, respond to antizionist rhetoric, and build institutions capable of addressing one of the most consequential ideological battles facing the Jewish community today. Plus, this week Jonah is back with the fourth installment of L’Dor V'adorable! We thought it couldn’t get any more adorable. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:16:17 — The Three Core Antizionist Libels: Colonizer, Apartheid, and GenocideKlein breaks down the foundational accusations driving the antizionist movement — how the colonizer, apartheid, and genocide narratives were engineered to exploit modern moral sensibilities.Defeating Antizionism23:37 — Why "Antizionism" Is the Right Term (Not "Antisemitism")Klein explains why the hate movement has been named as antizionism rather than antisemitism — including the historical parallelism between the two terms and why the distinction actually reaches more people.Understanding Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism51:29 — How Antizionism Harms Palestinians, Allies, and Civilization ItselfA breakdown of the collateral damage antizionism causes beyond Jews — including Palestinians living under Hamas/Hezbollah, non-Jewish allies marked as Zionists, and the broader erosion of democratic norms.Antizionism Is a Hate Movement That Harms Palestinians and All Western Societies1:15:03 - A Vision for a Post-Anti-Zionism WorldKlein's framework for what it would take for society to fully reckon with antizionism the way it has with the Holocaust, including media accountability, university reform, and memorialization.This Episode’s Partner:Thank you to Birthright Israel FoundationMore Ways To Connect with Being Jewish:Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah.To contact us & all things BJJP:www.BeingJewishPodcast.comWatch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comMerchandisehttps://beingjewishpodcast.com/merchFollow Jonah on:Instagram - @JonahPlattX - @JonahPlattFollow Being Jewish on:Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcastTikTok - @BeingJewishLearn More about Adam Louis-Klein:Adam Louis-Klein WebsiteAdam Louis-Klein Instagram Movement Against Antizionism(MAAZ)MAAZ ToolkitsCREDITS:Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald,  Production Associate: Rachel Stern, Sasha Nelson Production Intern: Emma Webb,  YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editors: Gray Clevenger, Geoff McGee. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt

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

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 Is the Amidah?After Senate Confirmation Hearing, CAM Voices ‘Unqualified Support’ for Appointment of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as Next US Antisemitism Special EnvoySix-Day WarThe Western Wall: The Western Wall TunnelsMandelbaum GateHow Golda Meir Rose to Become the ‘Iron Lady’ of IsraelArab Terrorists Murder Israelis at Munich OlympicsNatan Sharansky, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Advisory BoardFear No EvilGal BeckermanWhen They Come for Us, We'll Be Gone: The Epic Struggle to Save Soviet JewryThe Adventures of Rabbi JacobSupport 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

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

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 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

At this live “Being Jewish with Jonah Platt” event in San Diego, supported by Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Crown Family Philanthropies, and the Jim Joseph Foundation, Jonah Platt welcomes two influential spiritual leaders: Rabbi Sharon Brous, founding rabbi of IKAR in Los Angeles, and David Ingber, founding rabbi of Romemu in New York. Together, they explore how their egalitarian, non-denominational communities are reimagining synagogue life by emphasizing spiritual aliveness, engaging prayer, and social justice.Brous and Ingber speak candidly about the challenges of leading “big tent” communities in a deeply polarized time, where congregants often expect rabbis to mirror their views, and leave when they don't. Brous discusses transforming sermons into collective responsibility and action, while Ingber critiques what he calls a more consumer-driven performative Judaism, shaped by convenience rather than commitment. Drawing on experience from the Women’s March controversy through the aftermath of October 7th, they examine what it means to lead with integrity when every word carries weight. The conversation also grapples with enduring questions at the heart of Jewish life: the role of prayer, the tension between universal values and particular Jewish obligation, and the importance of humility and patience in leadership. Against the backdrop of rising antisemitism and growing political divisions around Israel and America, this episode looks at what Jewish leadership demands and what the Jewish community can become in this moment of urgency and change.  This is Part One of a Two-Part conversation. In the episode, they discuss:The founding visions behind IKAR and Romemu How Brous and Ingber are reimagining synagogue life The rabbinical role in modern societySilence from progressive allies following October 7th  Rabbi David Ingber’s experience confronting Tamika Mallory and Louis FarrakhanThe concept of “raising flawed flags”The Talmudic story of Kamtza and Bar KamtzaBalancing universalism and particularism through Torah teachings The pressure to respond instantly on social media versus engaging in thoughtful reflection A special thanks to our partners on this episode:Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family PhilanthropiesCrown Family PhilanthropiesJim Joseph FoundationMentioned In The Episode:Rabbi Sharon Brous InstagramRabbi David IngberBeing Jewish with Jonah Platt Webby AwardBJJP: Religious Communicators Council Award: Best Audio Visual ProgramBJJP: 2025 W3 Award Winner: Best Podcast HostDavid RittbergIKARRomemuColumbia students criticize University’s handling of antisemitism at federal civil rights listening sessionRemembering Jesse JacksonKamtza and Bar KamtzaBrooklyn Yeshivas Circa 1937 Part IWhat Is Kabbalat Shabbat?Women First Marched to Challenge Trump. Now They Are Challenging Each OtherTamika D. Mallory InstagramLouis FarrakhanGenesis 18:22-33Judaism is About Love by Rabbi Shai HeldWhat Did the People Hear at Mount Sinai?Gazing Into the Digital Face of Levinas: The Ethics of Self and Other in CyberspaceNYC bill allowing protest ‘buffer zones’ around houses of worship passes with veto-proof majorityAntisemitic mob descends on historic NYC synagogue — urging the ‘resistance’ to ‘take another settler out’Rabbi Hanan SchlesingerZohran Mamdani has no opinion on a united Ireland. That matters more than you thinkHorseshoe Theory in American PoliticsGovernor Gavin NewsomAmerican Jews May Be Moving RightThe Purim StorySupport 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

Jonah interviews Daniel Lubetzky, Mexican-American Jewish founder of KIND, Shark Tank investor, and longtime bridge-builder, about how his Holocaust-survivor father and Mexican Jewish upbringing shaped his commitment to connecting communities. Lubetzky describes mourning his father, saying Kaddish, and launching both KIND and the OneVoice Movement the same year, crediting prayer and purpose with keeping him grounded. He explains PeaceWorks, a trade-based social enterprise linking Israelis and Arabs (and later other conflict regions), which succeeded in sustaining relationships but never scaled and ultimately closed. He recounts OneVoice’s effort to empower moderates against media-driven extremism, mobilizing nearly a million Israelis and Palestinians, yet falling short of ending the conflict. Lubetzky outlines his latest project, the Builders Movement, and its “builders vs. destroyers” framework, its education, media, and civics work, and argues kindness is strong, honest action.Lubetzky reflects on the impact of reciting Kaddish after his father’s death and how Jewish ritual shaped his worldview.The founding story behind KIND Bars and why Lubetzky named the company after his father’s values.Lubetzky’s first social enterprise PeaceWorks, connecting Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, Egyptians, and Turks through trade.How PeaceWorks also operated in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Chiapas, Mexico to foster cooperation across conflict lines.The creation of the OneVoice Movement, which mobilized nearly 1 million Israelis and Palestinians around shared peace principles.Why Lubetzky believes media narratives often amplify extremists instead of moderates in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Launching the Builders Movement, a global initiative promoting cooperation over division.The Builders Movement framework built around the “Four Cs”: Curiosity, Compassion, Creativity, and Courage.Educational partnerships with institutions such as Stanford University to promote builder-mindset leadership programs.Collaboration with leaders like Van Jones to strengthen alliances between Jewish and Black communities.Thank you to this episode's sponsor:Jewish Communal FundMentioned In The Episode:Three synagogue attacks in Toronto in one week.Blast Outside Begum SynagogueArrests made in Norway Synagogue attackSan Jose pedestrians attacked in hate crimePolice Arrest Suspect in Ramat Gan StabbingMan, Rams Truck Into Michigan Synagogue With Over 100 Children InsideThe Story Is with Exel MichaelsonThe Lead with Jake TapperDaniel LubetzkyDaniel Lubetzky on Shark TankCamp RamahPeaceWorks FoundationVan Jones BJJP EpisodeDachauKIND SnacksJason Alexander BJJP EpisodeThe History, Significance, and Meaning of KaddishAl Jazeera Propagates Hatred. Is it also a Foreign Agent?Annapolis Peace Conference (2007)1993 Oslo AccordsKind Creates the Kind Foundation to Help Foster Kinder and Healthier CommunitiesSave Your Relationships! How To Talk to Antizionist Loved Ones About Israel - Jonah Platt’s 5 C'sLubetzky Family Foundation Builders Movement Builders on InstagramBuilders on YouTubeJewish Neighborhoods: Mexico CityMexican school merger will expand ORT’s presence in Latin AmericaMarc Platt BJJP episodeJulie Platt BJJP episodeJewish Nobel Prize LaureatesSebastian Maniscalco - Italians at Passover (Aren't You Embarrassed?)Mexican Gefilte FishRed snapper with Veracruz-style sauce (huachinango a la Veracruzana)The Rise and Fall of Eliot Ness 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 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

In this inspiring episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with members of the Israeli Bobsled Team (AJ Edelman, Ward Fawarsy, Uri Zisman, Ower Katz, Itamar Shprinz, and Menashem Chen) while in competition in Milano Crotina, to discuss the unlikely journey of building a team for a Winter Olympic sport in a country with no snow. Representing Israel on the global stage, the athletes share how they transitioned from backgrounds in track and field, rugby, crossfit, and other sports into elite bobsled competitors. They discuss training and competing internationally, and navigating the challenges of representing Israel amid rising antisemitism following October 7. Their story is a wild one with robberies, getting booed, a death on a plane, and missing critical training runs. The conversation explores patriotism, Jewish pride, and the emotional weight of wearing the Israeli flag at global events sanctioned by the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and the Winter Olympics. The athletes reflect on the powerful symbolism of Israeli athletes competing on the world stage and the importance of positive representation for Israel in international sports. Jonah and AJ Edelman, captain of the Israeli Bobsled Team, get some one-on-one time to dig into the team's challenges and the role of the Israeli Olympic Committee. Edelman details self-funding, starting a nonprofit to support the team, and hopes to grow the program.Topics Discussed Include:Competing in sanctioned events under the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) circuitQualification pathways toward the Winter OlympicsBeing champion athletes from other sport disciplinesThe nickname “Shul Runnings”Having a Druze athlete on the teamTraining in the U.S.-based tracks in Lake Placid, New York, and Park City, UtahThe measure of success is how far you’ve come, not how close you are to the topThe mechanics of a two-man and four-man bobsled under IBSF regulationsPutting together an “Ocean’s Eleven” team for bobsledFunding challenges and support from the Israeli Olympic CommitteeHow to support the team in the futureMentioned In The Episode:Advancing Jewish AthleticsDonate to the Israeli Bobsled TeamAJ Edelman InstagramWard Fawarsy InstagramUri Zisman InstagramOmer Katz InstagramItamar Shprinz InstagramMenachem Chen InstagramNOT A Genocide: Jonah Platt's Definitive Takedown of the World's Favorite Anti-Jew, Anti-Israel Lie (Part 2)Anti-Jew Libels DECONSTRUCTED-Jonah Platt Debunks 4 Lies About Israel & The Jewish People (Part 1)The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the Jews: Part 1PART 2 - The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPART 3 - The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsNatan Sharansky Natan Sharansky 3 D’sIsrael is Among a Number of EthnostatesMyanmar casts minorities to the margins as citizenship law denies legal identityMyanmar Rohingya: What you need to know about the crisisArmenia is 98% Armenian DataKoreans in JapanUAE’s Double-Standard on Citizenship RightsMigrant Rights in UAE and QatarSwiss government rejects automatic citizenship for those born in SwitzerlandCitizenship through Naturalization for Aliens of Greek ethnic originEgypt's Christians face 'constant pressure to hide their faith'Israel’s Right of ReturnOperation SolomonIsraeli Law Declares the Country the ‘Nation-State of the Jewish People’Jewish CalendarArabs Make Up 20% of the Jewish PopulationArab residents of mixed cities disadvantaged compared to Jews - ComptrollerBen Gvir’s policy goals: Going to extremes even Europe’s far right won’t touchPalestinian Authority: You're a "traitor" if you sell land to the JewsWhat does the Hamas charter say?Milano Cortina 2026 OlympicsIsrael’s first Olympic bobsled team heads to Italy in bid they have dubbed ‘Shul Runnings’The Israeli bobsled team is in last place but calls themselves 'victors'Kris Horn OK after solo ride as teammates fail to get into sledBobsled costs are skyrocketing. Can the U.S. keep up in a bedrock Olympic sport?Israel team marches to smattering of boos at Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremonyAJ Edelman, The First Orthodox Jewish Male Olympian, Is Ready For Gold!Meet Bat-El Gatterer, First Orthodox Jewish Female OlympianMIT Alumnus Competes in Winter Olympics                   From obese yeshivah student to Slider-Man – the remarkable run of Israel’s Olympic bobsleigh pilotIsraeli Bobsled Team's Apartment Robbed of 'Thousands of Dollars' Worth of Items During Winter Olympics TrainingWhat To Know About ‘Shul Runnings,’ the Bobsled Team Representing Israel in the Winter OlympicsVitaris ClubAt the Olympics, Israel's athletes pay a high cost in the quest for goldThe Israeli Bobsled Team’s Withdrawal from the last day of Olympic CompetitionBobsledding for 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 - @BeingJewishSubscribe to Ora, A Luxury Jewish Lifestyle and Culture Magazine. https://oramag.co/Written 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

In this delightful and hilarious episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, comedian Modi Rosenfeld opens up about faith, fame, identity, and building unity through Jewish comedy. Recently named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 10 New York Comedians, Modi discusses what it means to be a proudly Jewish comedian in today’s cultural climate, and why laughter is his path to creating what he calls “Messianic energy.”From performing at the Comedy Cellar, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and soon Radio City Music Hall, to navigating conversations with fellow comics like Dave Chappelle and Ben Shapiro, Modi shares candid insights on comedy, politics, and Jewish pride.He reflects on growing up Israeli in America, coming out as gay later in life, marrying his husband Leo, and supporting LGBTQ inclusion within the Orthodox community through organizations like Eshel. Modi also reveals how COVID, Zoom shows, and social media transformed his career into a global brand with audiences in Israel, Europe, and beyond.With humor and heart, this episode explores Judaism, comedy, Israel, identity, and the power of laughter to bring people together in divided times.Topics discussed include:Modi Rosenfeld on being a “Jewish comedian” vs. a comedian who happens to be JewishRoasting Ben Shapiro at a Commentary Magazine eventFollowing Donald Trump at the Republican Jewish CoalitionTouring internationally in Israel, Paris, Berlin, and LondonProcessing October 7th and performing in Europe amid rising antisemitismGrowing up Israeli-American on Long IslandMarriage, faith, and partnership with husband LeoSupporting LGBTQ Orthodox Jews through EshelPreparing for his upcoming Radio City Music Hall debutBuilding a global audience via Instagram and post-COVID Zoom comedyThe meaning behind his tour title: Pause for LaughterMentioned In The Episode:Anti-Jew Libels DECONSTRUCTED - Jonah Platt Debunks 4 Lies About Israel & The Jewish People (Part 1)Modi Rosenfeld WebsiteModi Rosenfeld InstagramThe reasons why what is happening in Gaza is not genocideAmnesty International is among the NGOs bashing IsraelGrand Mufti of Jerusalem and his aid to the NazisB’tselem’s “broader analytical framework” The U.N. Official Who Said Hamas is not a Terrorist OrganizationThe U.N. Condemned Israel 17 Times, more than the rest of the world combined Alice Nderitu of the U.N. said Israel’s campaign in Gaza doesn’t meet the definition of genocide. She was fired.Anyone can be a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Including Cookie Monster and Emperor PalpatineArab countries ban Al-Jazeera Israel distributes over 1 million polio vaccines in GazaPalestinian death toll passes 70,000Defining genocide in a post WW2 worldIsreal’s critics rewrite the definition of genocideHineni Society Event with World-Renowned Comedian ModiDavid Attel InstagramJeff Ross InstagramJerry Seinfeld InstagramChris Rock Who are the classic Catskill ComediansOld Jewish Catskill Comedian's Classic JokesThe Messianic EraRelease of latest Epstein files unleashes online wave of antisemitic conspiraciesModi | Know Your Audience (Full Comedy Special)Q&A | Comedian Modi Is Running on ‘Moshiach Energy’What Are Tefillin?The Gestapo: OverviewJewish comedian Modi Rosenfeld, a mainstay for Orthodox audiences, is gay. So what?The Comedy CellarBen Shapiro Roasted By MODIDave Chappelle Mocks “I Stand With Israel”Dave Chappelle and the Space JewsJon CarhartRepublican Jewish CoalitionU.S. Congressman Mike JohnsonOrthodox Judaism and LGBTQ IssuesEshel Ritual Hand Washing Before MealsWhat is Chabad?A New LightFran LiebowitzModi Rosenfeld, Gay Jewish Comedian, Talks ‘Moshiach’ Energy, Celebrating Shabbat and Comparisons to Robin Williams and Richard PryorTa’anit 22a-b: A Place in the World to ComeFrance reports dozens of antisemitic acts since Hamas attackThe History of HatikvahSupport 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 - @BeingJewishSubscribe to Ora, A Luxury Jewish Lifestyle and Culture Magazine. https://oramag.co/Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, 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

In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah speaks with Jewish Iranian advocates, Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh of American Jewish University, Mandana Dayani of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, and Matthew Nouriel of JIMENA - Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, whose families fled persecution by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), offering an urgent and deeply personal look at life under the Iranian regime. The conversation exposes how the IRGC functions not just as a military force, but as an ideological and economic power structure responsible for widespread human rights abuses, political repression, and global terrorism. The guests share personal stories about living under the threat and surveillance of the IRGC. The episode explores the Iranian regime’s hostility toward Israel, the Jewish community, and the West, while drawing clear distinctions between the Iranian people and their government. Jonah and his guests discuss how the IRGC funds proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, destabilizing the Middle East and exporting violence far beyond Iran’s borders. The conversation also highlights the challenges refugees face when seeking asylum in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and the importance of educating Western audiences about Iran’s internal resistance movements. Ultimately, the episode is a call to awareness, urging listeners to recognize the human cost of extremism and stand with those fighting for freedom, and truth.Topics Include:Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its role in IranPolitical repression and surveillance in IranIranian refugees seeking asylum in the United States and CanadaIRGC funding of Hamas and HezbollahIran’s anti-Israel ideology and antisemitismDistinguishing the Iranian people from the Iranian regimeIranian opposition movements and internal resistanceTerrorism exported by Iran across the Middle EastThe impact of October 7 on Iranian dissidents worldwideWestern media narratives about Iran and the IRGCJewish solidarity with persecuted communities under authoritarian regimesMentioned In The Episode:Part 1:The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 2: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 3: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsTarlan Rabizadeh InstagramMatthew Nouriel InstagramMandana Dayani InstagramBrandolini’s LawAvailability HeuristicInattention BlindnessDhimmi Under Muslim RuleIsrael is not an Apartheid StateAre Jews White?Infant Death During the Hamas Attack on Israel'They just kept killing': Eyewitnesses describe deadly crackdown in IranWhat Led to the 1979 Iranian Revolution?Over 36,500 killed in Iran's deadliest massacre, documents revealThe expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran – an untold historyFirst Persian Female Rabbi Finds Her VoiceMiller Intro to JudaismThe Battle for Sheikh JarrahWhy Iranian women are burning their hijabs after the death of Mahsa Amini“Women, Life, Freedom” a new revolutionary era in IranLGBT Rights in IranSpeaking Up - United Nations Special Session on Oct. 7th: Mandana DayaniADL and JLens Urge Accountability Regarding Huda Kattan's Antisemitic RemarksHuda Beauty faces boycott campaign over founder’s Iran protest videoRediscovering the Lost Tribes and God’s Faithfulness: The Jewish Diaspora and AliyahIranian Diaspora CollectiveHow Ancient Persians Essentially Saved Judaism As We Know It TodayWhy Are We So Silent About the Uprising in Iran?Leading Change: How Persian and Jewish Diasporas Can Unite against AntisemitismI came to Israel for Pride. It got canceled.Matthew Nouriel, The Empress MizrahiAmerican Jewish UniversityReport Shows Foreign-Born Citizens Are More Socially Conservative Than Their Native-Born Counterparts and Are Less Likely to Identify with Either Political PartyMatthew Nouriel, Community Engagement Director JIMENASephardim, Mizrachim in NY more conservative, less likely to intermarry than peers, per UJA studyAyatollah Khomeini returns to IranThe Ironies of History: The Ukraine Crisis through the Lens of Jewish HistoryJimmy Carter, blamed by many Iranians for the revolution, dies at 100The Fascinating History and Political Lives of Jews in IranJewish students assaulted, threatened and harassed at UCLA campusEducation Department opens second investigation into Yale antisemitismIran-Iraq WarHIAS United States Holocaust Memorial Council (Board of Trustees)Steven Wise TempleGerman Jews' Passports Declared InvalidExpulsion to cultural integration: 500 years of Sephardic Jews in TürkiyeDid Ezra Reconstruct the Torah or Just Change the Script?Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh Named American Jewish University’s VP for Jewish EngagementJay Sanderson BJJPPersian Gondi on FridaysSupport 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, 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

In this compelling episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah speaks with Bishop Michael J. Fisher, a prominent Los Angeles faith leader and longtime advocate for Black–Jewish solidarity. The discussion explores Bishop Fisher’s personal journey, deeply influenced by his father, Reverend W. Jerome Fisher, a World War II medic who helped liberate Jews from the Dachau concentration camp. Jonah and Bishop Fisher dig deeply into the real actions Fisher is doing to build bonds and bridges between the black and Jewish communities, and their shared perspective on what advocacy truly means. Bishop Fisher reflects on building interfaith relationships with leaders such as Rabbi Stewart Vogel and Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, and on the shared spiritual foundations of Judaism and Christianity, including the meaning of Zion. The discussion also addresses rising antisemitism, the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks, and the responsibility of moral leadership in moments of crisis.The episode highlights initiatives like the Freedom Seder and the From Compton to Jerusalem trip, celebrating Israel’s diversity and the Ethiopian Jewish community, while offering a hopeful vision of unity grounded in building relationships, and discovering truth.TOPICS INCLUDE:Bishop Michael J. Fisher on growing up in Compton under the influence of his father, Reverend W. Jerome FisherHis church, The Greater Zion Church FamilyA firsthand family connection to the Holocaust through World War II liberation effortsThe spiritual and historical meaning of Zion in Black Christianity and JudaismBuilding Black–Jewish alliances with Rabbi Stewart Vogel and Rabbi Yoshi ZweibackThe examples of people like Van Jones, Amanda Berman, and Robert Stearns in interfaith bridge-buildingHow the Freedom Seder creates shared Jewish and Black communal spaceUnderstanding antisemitism vs. anti-Zionism after the October 7 Hamas attacksWhy Israel’s diversity challenges apartheid narrativesLessons from the From Compton to Jerusalem leadership trip to IsraelExperiencing the Sigd holiday with the Ethiopian Jewish community (Beyte Israel)Advocacy vs. performative allyship in Black and Jewish communitiesWhy Black–Jewish unity remains essential for social justice in AmericaMentioned In the Episode:Part 1:The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 2: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 3: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsMichael J Fisher InstagramJonah’s (shoes) JP x Air Maccabees (18% off with the code JP18)The Story of JeremiahSeeing History Through A Foggy LensDangers of ExceptionalismMoral Self LicensingTemporal Distance and DiscriminationGreater Zion Church FamilyOrigins of Black History MonthFreedom Seder LA Brings Together Black, Jewish, and Black-Jewish Leaders for an Evening of Unity and LiberationCNN’s Van JonesRabbi Yoshi ZweibackExodus Over DinnerJerome Fisher World War II Gold Star Veteran from MarylandReverand Jerome Fisher Passes Away, Organized 1st Black Church in ComptonWhat Was Jim CrowMichael J. Fisher How One Compton Pastor’s Work is Changing Lives by Bridging Health & FaithThe Jewish Foundation of ChristianityWhen did Christianity and Judaism Separate?When Did Jesus Stop Being Jewish?Zion: God’s Precious PossessionDr. Maulana KarengaA Long History: American Jews and the NAACPThe Tulsa Race Massacre and Oklahoma’s Jews10 Great Moments of #BlackJewishUnityChallenging the myth of 'white, colonial' IsraelRabbi Stewart VogelDeath of George FloydPowerful Voices: A New Look at the Rabbi Who Marched with Martin Luther KingTiffany Haddish BJJP EpisodeThe 15 Year Battle for Martin Luther King Jr. DayBondi Beach terrorists ‘acted alone’ in attack on Hanukkah event — Australian policeSuspect arrested in predawn fire that left parts of Mississippi’s largest synagogue in charred ruinsWhat to know about the murder of Sarah Pilgrim and Aaron Lischinsky in Washington D.CStephen Wise TempleWise hosts Greater Zion Church for joint Shavuot and Pentecost celebrationWas Jesus’ Last Supper a Seder?Peter and the Disciples Falling Asleep - Matthew 26:40The Old Testament Pentecost: Why Did Jesus Pour Out His Spirit on This Particular Day?Robert SternsBLM’s Support of Hamas Is Perfectly in Line With Its GoalsRediscovering the Lost Tribes and God’s Faithfulness: The Jewish Diaspora and AliyahIsrael’s Ethnic Diversity: Why the Population of the Jewish Nation is Far From MonolithicAmanda BermanBlack and Jewish people were allies once. Can they be again?Martin Luther King Jr. AssassinationRedlining of Jewish Neighborhoods to Make It Difficult to Get a MortgageJewish Americans: Identity, History, and Experience Fact SheetSeder2015 streams a digital PassoverWhat is the law of first mention?Black leaders journey from their hip-hop home to the Holy Land — and find common groundWhat Even IS Sigd? A Short ExplainerNick Cannon opens up about past antisemitic comments and his ‘growth moment’April PowersCalifornia schools inch closer to rescuing mental health funds slashed by TrumpGlobal Missions — Greater ZionSupport 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, 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

In this energetic and wide-ranging episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with comedy and television icon Howie Mandel (America’s Got Talent, Deal or No Deal, Gremlins, St. Elsewhere) for a conversation that moves effortlessly between laughter and reflection. From his early days as a stand-up comic to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in television, Howie reflects on a career that has spanned more than four decades, and the values that have grounded him throughout it.With trademark honesty and humor, Howie opens up about his Jewish upbringing, family life, and how Jewish values have shaped his worldview both onstage and off. The conversation also takes a more serious turn as Howie speaks candidly about the resurgence of antisemitism, the aftermath of October 7th, and what it has felt like to navigate Jewish identity in an increasingly hostile global climate. Thoughtful, funny, and unexpectedly moving, this episode offers a rare glimpse into how one of comedy’s most familiar figures navigates faith, fear, and responsibility to show up when it matters most.Topics Discussed Include:Howie’s Jewish upbringing in TorontoHow comedy became a creative outlet and coping mechanism for anxiety and OCDThe influence of Howie’s father on his Jewish values and identityHowie’s early years doing stand-upHowie’s opinion on tzedakah   Why Israel struggles with public perceptionJewish identity and visibility in a time of rising antisemitismHowie speaks out about injustice and intolerancePro-Palestinian vs. Anti-Israel movements: understanding the differenceHowie on NBC, Hollywood, and Jewish representationJews being targets for their appearance outside of NY and LA Howie’s goal, “I just wanna do the right thing.”Thank you to this episode's sponsors The Dream Raffle and SAPIR.https://sapirjournal.org/BeingJewishMentioned In The Episode:Part 1:The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 2: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsPart 3: The ONLY 3 Facts You Need to Know About Israel, Palestine, and the JewsUltimate Nite Out Featuring Debra Messing and Jonah PlattWatch America’s Got Talent (NBC)Howie Mandel InstagramHowie Mandel WebsiteHowie Mandel Does Stuff (YouTube)What You Need to Know About Israel's The Iron DomeQatar’s Investments in the US Education SystemRussia’s Interference in US Elections Continues to Get More BrazenChina’s Potential Use of TikTok Is A National Security ThreatYuri Bezmenov and his Stages of Ideological SubversionIsrael Recognizes Somaliland as an Independent Country“I Have a Tough Time Being with Myself.” Howie Mandel on living with OCD, ADHD, and anxietyB’rit Mialh: The Circumcision RitualHowie Mandel discusses saying the Kaddish for his fatherEverything You Need to Know About the Jewish Custom of ShivaMinyan: The Congregational QuorumTzedakah 101Are the Jews the Chosen People?Meet Howie Mandel's 3 talented kids with his wife of 45 years—2 options with regard to his in-laws being holocaust survivors—A survivors’ love story, and a game-changing secretHowie Mandel to Appear at Malibu Film SocietyThe Role of Doctors and NursesMyth: Jews Have Too Much PowerWhy Israel is losing the PR warDid Israel Bomb a Hospital? No. What to Know About Hamas’ Lie About a Rocket Strike on a Gaza HospitalCollecting German Air-dropped Leaflets on BritainIsraeli film on Oct. 7 premieres at Toronto film festival after initially being droppedMasadaHaifaWatch Inspector Gadget (Xumo)Haim Saban (IMDB)Shuki LeviBondi Beach terrorists ‘acted alone’ in attack on Hanukkah eventHowie Mandel Ari Shaffir clip on antisemitism.Ari Shaffir InstagramWhy Do We Wear a Kippah?What Is Tzitzit?Former SNL comedian Jay Pharoah says he was racially profiled by police, detained with knee on his neckSt. Elsewhere (Apple TV)Demonstrators rally across the U.S. in response to violent conflict between Israel and HamasWatch Little Monsters (Pluto TV)DayenuProto HologramHowie Mandel Become ESports Team OwnerWatch Being Jewish on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcastSubscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletterFor Sponsorships, please email:jonahplattinfo@gmail.comTo 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, 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