Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Jonah Platt // Jewish Identity, Culture, and Current Events
  • 5.0 (129)
  • Judaism
  • Updated Weekly

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt is the hit weekly podcast that illuminates the vast, beautiful, and often unexplored tapestry of Jewish identity, through deeply honest and personal conversations with notable Jews and non-Jewish allies alike. Hosted by actor & advocate Jonah Platt, a trusted expert in contemporary Jewish culture, identity, and politics, Being Jewish seeks to engage, educate, and empower listeners to take full ownership of their identities and live as their proudest, most authentic selves. https://beingjewishpodcast.com/join

  1. YouTube’s Most Popular (Hasidic!) Rabbi Manis Friedman & How Engaged a Jew are You?

    2d ago

    YouTube’s Most Popular (Hasidic!) Rabbi Manis Friedman & How Engaged a Jew are You?

    How did an 80-year-old Chabad rabbi become a global social media phenomenon, and why is his message resonating from Los Angeles to New Guinea? Rabbi Manis Friedman, author, longtime educator, and one of the world’s most-followed rabbis on YouTube, joins Jonah to ask a deceptively simple question: why are we here? Friedman argues that creation has a direction and that modern anxiety grows from meaninglessness, not deprivation. People are safer and more comfortable than ever, he says, but without knowing what life is for, comfort becomes a treadmill. From tikkun olam to the follower in New Guinea who walked eight hours for internet access and later built a Torah center, Friedman shows how a clear sense of purpose can cross cultures and transform lives. Friedman reframes Torah not as a list of commandments, but as God explaining Himself and inviting humanity into a relationship. For him, that is Chabad’s mission: making God knowable so that love can be real. He explains Shabbat as resting alongside God, modesty as protecting intimacy from the distraction of appearances, and ordinary work as service when it improves the world. When Jonah asks how a parent should respond to a child who says, “I didn’t ask to be born,” Friedman turns the question into the episode’s central claim: stop thinking of yourself as needy. You are needed. His message is bracing but hopeful: meaning begins when life stops being about what we can get and becomes about what we are here to give.  THIS WEEK’S MONOLOGUE: Are you a “bad Jew”—or simply disengaged? Jonah replaces guilt with a sharper test: where are your time and energy actually going? MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 00:01:43 — Why Judaism Says Creation Has a Purpose and Direction Rabbi Manis Friedman explains tikkun olam, humanity’s role in perfecting creation, and why the question of purpose has become urgently modern. What Is Tikkun Olam? - Chabad.org 00:16:10 — The Man Who Walked Eight Hours to Learn Torah Friedman shares how a follower in New Guinea walked eight hours to access internet, then built a Torah center for villagers arriving by canoe. 00:22:45 — The Torah Is God Explaining Why He Needs Us Friedman reframes the Torah and Ten Commandments as God revealing Himself and asking humanity to choose relationship rather than programmed obedience. The Ten Commandments | My Jewish Learning 00:29:13 — How Chabad Makes God Knowable Through Torah and Relationships Friedman explains Chabad as the work of making God knowable, arguing that genuine love—of God or a spouse—depends on understanding. What Is Chabad? 00:35:21 — You Are Not Needy—You Are Needed by God Friedman argues that humanity’s existence matters because God has “skin in the game,” transforming life from a burden into a divine necessity. 00:46:56 — Why Rabbi Manis Friedman Says Seeing Kills Intimacy Friedman connects modesty to intimacy, arguing that appearances can distract us from loving the person rather than merely their visible qualities. Why Doesn't Anyone Blush Anymore? - Reclaiming Intimacy, Modesty, and Sexuality - Chabad.org More 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.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: partnerships@jonahplatt.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish Learn more about Rabbi Manis Friedman: Rabbi Manis Friedman - YouTube It’s Good to Know - Rabbi Manis Friedman  Rabbi Manis Friedman - Instagram 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 Associates: Rachel Stern, Sasha Fiora, Production Intern: Emma Webb,Tatum Rosenblatt, Eden Waldman, 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

    54 min
  2. Call Me Back x Being Jewish Crossover! Dan Senor predicts the Jewish Future, plus A New Kind of Aliyah

    Jun 16

    Call Me Back x Being Jewish Crossover! Dan Senor predicts the Jewish Future, plus A New Kind of Aliyah

    From Saudi officials to diaspora Jews, why are so many people listening to Dan Senor? Dan Senor, host of the Call Me Back podcast and co-author of Start-Up Nation, joins Jonah for a deep dive on Israel, Jewish identity, and the future of Jewish life in the Diaspora. Senor explains how Call Me Back built a devoted audience organically, attracting diaspora Jews seeking trustworthy information, journalists looking for good-faith dialogue, and even international listeners, including Saudi officials, drawn to its thoughtful, long-form conversations about Israel and the Middle East. Senor discusses how the October 7 attacks reshaped Jewish engagement, the sense of political homelessness many moderate Jews have experienced, and the opportunities emerging from one of the most consequential moments in modern Jewish history. He also emphasizes the need for a Jewish Renaissance centered on expanding access to Jewish day schools, Jewish summer camps, Israel programs, and lifelong Jewish learning. Senor argues that investing in Jewish education and community infrastructure is essential for Jews to flourish. THIS WEEK’S MONOLOGUE: Jonah reflects on the importance of allies, why he'll sell tickets to future events in pairs, and why “ALLY-ah” may be just as important - if not more important - than aliyah right now.  MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 00:07:30 — How Call Me Back Became the World’s Number One Israel Podcast Dan on building the top Israel podcast organically after October 7th. Call me Back Podcast - with Dan Senor - YouTube 00:10:45 — “Israel Was at War. The Diaspora Was Under Attack.” Dan quotes Rabbi Ingber's defining line on October 7th: Israel was at war, but the diaspora had no army to fight back. The toll of the Israel-Hamas War on diaspora Jews 00:15:09 — Would Dan Interview Former Allies Who’ve Gone to a “Dark Place”? Dan considers hosting antisemitic voices to understand, not challenge, their logic. 00:27:33 — Why “Call Me Back” Audience Skews Left of Dan Senor The “October 8th Jew” phenomenon and left-of-center Jews finding community. A look at the October 8th Jews | The Jerusalem Post 00:31:42 — The Jewish Future Is Too Expensive. Here’s How to Fix It. Dan on day schools, affordability gaps, and the case for a Jewish renaissance. Why Jewish Living Feels So Expensive These Days | Kosher Money 00:43:37 — Where Do Adult Jews Without Kids Find Jewish Community? Dan on Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the Hartman Institute, and adult entry points to Jewish life. Rachel Goldberg-Polin on her Jewish faith and her slain son's spiritual quest More 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.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: jonahplattinfo@gmail.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish Learn More about Dan Senor: Call Me Back - with Dan Senor - Podcast Dan Senor Website Dan Senor X Credits: 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 Associates: Rachel Stern, Sasha Fiora, 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

    55 min
  3. Does Mayim Bialik Feel Safe in Public? & The Collective Punishment Paradox

    Jun 9

    Does Mayim Bialik Feel Safe in Public? & The Collective Punishment Paradox

    From The Big Bang Theory to Jewish advocacy, Mayim Bialik shares the personal journey behind the public persona. Jonah Platt interviews actress, neuroscientist, author, and Orthodox Jew Mayim Bialik (Blossom and The Big Bang Theory) about rising antizionism and antisemitism, arguing it functions as a hate movement that shuts down dialogue through intimidation and threats. The conversation explores the rise of antizionist activism on college campuses, her parenting two sons amid the campus hostility, and her experiences navigating public criticism. She shares about her experiences visiting family in the West Bank, and her identification with Israel as her homeland. Jonah and Mayim discuss personal experiences of being confronted online and in public. Such as being protested for being labeled a “Zionist,” and her experience with shifting attitudes at UCLA in the late 1990s/early 2000s.  She also reflects on her directorial debut, As They Made Us, pressures in Hollywood such as lost sponsorships and exclusion from liberal spaces, and the courage required to remain visibly Jewish in public life. Thoughtful, honest, and often humorous, this episode offers a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and what it means to live proudly as a Jew in the modern world. THIS WEEK’S MONOLOGUE: Jonah unpacks the paradox of two true statements, both seemingly made untrue by the other: Denying the connection of the Jewish people to Israel is bigotry. AND, conflating the Jewish people with Israel is also bigotry. MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: 00:08:15 — Being a Public Jew in the Age of Social Media and Online Threats Mayim on how social media exposed her to antisemitic threats long before October 7th. Mayim Bialik: Our safety is at risk we've never experienced before 00:17:00 — Anti-Zionism on Campus: 30 Years of Hostility from Cincinnati to UCLA Mayim traces three decades of campus anti-Zionism from UCLA swastikas to university protests. Jewish Faculty Members at UCLA Say Enough is Enough - File Legal Documents to Join a Federal Lawsuit to Stop Antisemitic Incidents on Campus 00:32:15 — Liberal Zionism: The Strange Intersection Mayim on staying a committed Zionist while the Democratic Party distances itself. What does it mean to be a Liberal American Zionist? 00:40:15 — Life in the West Bank: Armed Settlements, Checkpoints, and Human Complexity Mayim on her family's 50-year life on armed West Bank settlements. ‘Jew-Free Zone’ – My Experience in the West Bank 00:53:47 — Hollywood Post-October 7th: Sponsors Lost, Silence, and Jewish Self-Segregation Mayim on losing podcast sponsors and Hollywood's silence after October 7th. I was betrayed by Hollywood for speaking out after October 7, says Will & Grace star Debra Messing 01:05:24 — Baal Teshuva: From Reform Roots to Modern Orthodoxy, Divorce, and the Gaps in Jewish Community Mayim traces her baal teshuva path from Reform childhood to Modern Orthodoxy. What Is a Baal Teshuvah? This Episode’s Partner: Start watching or listening to Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam at unpacked.bio/WJ More 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.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: jonahplattinfo@gmail.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish Learn more about Mayim Bialik: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missmayim/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MayimBialik Podcast: https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/ Credits: 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

    1h 14m
  4. Is Antizionism Antisemitism? Adam Louis-Klein, Founder of Movement Against Antizionism

    Jun 2

    Is Antizionism Antisemitism? Adam Louis-Klein, Founder of Movement Against Antizionism

    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 Genocide Klein breaks down the foundational accusations driving the antizionist movement — how the colonizer, apartheid, and genocide narratives were engineered to exploit modern moral sensibilities. Defeating Antizionism 23:37 — 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-Zionism 51:29 — How Antizionism Harms Palestinians, Allies, and Civilization Itself A 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 Societies 1:15:03 - A Vision for a Post-Anti-Zionism World Klein'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 Foundation More 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.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: jonahplattinfo@gmail.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish Learn More about Adam Louis-Klein: Adam Louis-Klein Website Adam Louis-Klein Instagram  Movement Against Antizionism(MAAZ) MAAZ Toolkits CREDITS: 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

    1h 16m
  5. Israeli Comedian Yohay Sponder, Plus Finding Your Jewish “Ikigai” (Reason for Being)

    May 26

    Israeli Comedian Yohay Sponder, Plus Finding Your Jewish “Ikigai” (Reason for Being)

    Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder turns grief, antisemitism, and the Jewish experience into one of the funniest and most unexpectedly moving conversations you’ll hear all year. In this hilarious, heartfelt, and surprisingly profound episode, stand-up comic Yohay Sponder joins host Jonah Platt for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, Jewish identity, Israel, and the global Jewish experience. Known for his viral English-language stand-up and international tours, Sponder reflects on performing for Jewish audiences across Australia, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States while witnessing rising antizionist hate around the world. Sponder recounts the shocking experience of show cancellations in Amsterdam and Australia after public threats and claims of “perceived insensitivity” in his material. Along the way, the two discuss why Yohay performs in English, what he’s learned being married to an American, and how growing up the grandchild of Holocaust survivors influenced his comedic spark. He shares his goals of making people laugh while spreading Jewish pride and the inspiration behind his comedy specials, Self-Loving Jew and Genesis.  Using humor and vulnerability, Sponder examines what connects Jews globally, emphasizing comedy’s role in strengthening cultural bonds. The episode dives into Sponder’s evolving relationship with Judaism following the death of his father, Holocaust-survivor grandparents, his embrace of traditions like tefillin and wearing a (giant) Star of David.  THIS WEEK’S MONOLOGUE: Jonah ponders Ikiagi, the Japanese concept for “your reason for being,” and how you can find your own Jewish version to guide you in these challenging times.  TIMESTAMPS 2:08 — Why Yohay performs in English Yohay explains why English became the perfect language for his comedy, saying its structure naturally works better for punchlines than Hebrew.  14:26 — The Amsterdam cancellation Yohay recounts how his sold-out Amsterdam shows were canceled days before showtime after threats against the venue  18:20 — When boycotts backfire Yohay explains how protests and cancellations have often helped his career by bringing more publicity, support, and ticket sales. 28:06 — The fan who said his comedy saved her family Yohay recalls a fan sharing how his comedy helped her and her father through his cancer treatments 30:32 — His father’s Holocaust survivor upbringing Yohay reflects on his father’s painful childhood as the son of Auschwitz survivors — and how he chose to raise his own family with joy and laughter instead. 49:41 — The meaning of “Self-Loving Jew” Yohay explains why he named his previous tour Self-Loving Jew, framing it as a response to Jews who publicly criticized Israel after October 7th. This Episode’s Partner: Thank you honeymoonisrael.org/beingjewish More 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.com Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: jonahplattinfo@gmail.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish Learn More About Yohay Sponder: Yohay Sponder Youtube Yohay Sponder Instagram Yohay Sponder Stand-Up and Appearances CREDITS: 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 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

    1h 15m
  6. She's Not Italian, She's Jewish! The Sopranos' Jamie-Lynn Sigler + What is Shavout?!

    May 19

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

    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 Ingber What is Shavuot? Why Cheesecake on Shavuot? What Are the Five Books of Moses? Simon Sinek Counting Up to Shavuot The Intrinsic Unity of Israel Mount Sinai HEBREW WORD OF THE WEEK —TIKUN  Dara Horn BJJP Episode And So It Is: A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options Jamie Lynn Sigler Instagram Jamie Lynn Sigler IMDb The Sopranos IMDb Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center Emmanuel Chriqui Instagram Hollywood stars boycott Israeli film companies in response to Gaza crisis Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Lance Bass' whirlwind trip to Israel in photos A Course in Miracles MeSsy Podcast Not Today, PAL with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Robert Iler (Podcast) David Chase IMDb What Jamie-Lynn Sigler Wants You to Know About MS Who Is Jamie-Lynn Sigler’s Husband? All About Cutter Dykstra Birthright Israel Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: jonahplattinfo@gmail.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish 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 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

    1h 13m
  7. Hollywood to Holy Land: Screenwriter-turned-Orthodox Rabbi Shmuel Lynn

    May 15

    Hollywood to Holy Land: Screenwriter-turned-Orthodox Rabbi Shmuel Lynn

    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 Instagram Rabbi Shmuel Lynn Linktree Rabbi Shmuel Lynn Facebook Rabbi Shmuel Lynn LinkedIn University of Pennsylvania Maimonides Leaders Fellowship Palm Beach Florida Duke University NYU Film School Cosby Show Will and Grace Kristallnacht Bardejov (Film) Bardejov Transportation to Auschwitz Auschwitz Olami Olami Manhattan Bishvili nivra ha-olam New York, Circa 1909 Shema Olami Events  Julie Platt Soviet Jewry Movement Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: jonahplattinfo@gmail.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish Written 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

    27 min
  8. “Bad Jews” (replay) & Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt

    May 12

    “Bad Jews” (replay) & Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt

    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 Austria Mentioned in the episode: Deborah Lipstadt Brandeis University Emory University The Tam Institute for Jewish Studies Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory Denial (2016 film) Rachel Weisz Instagram President Joe Biden A Conversation With U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt Antisemitism being 'normalized' and not taken seriously enough, chief rabbi tells BBC Third arrest over attempted arson at synagogue Police investigate pro-Palestinian protest at Sydney Opera House over alleged anti-Semitism Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign from Congress amid clashes with Trump over Israel, Epstein Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu - Biography Code Pink Outs Itself as Anti-Jewish Hate Group Rothschild family Gunman Kills Three at Kansas City Jewish Community Center, Retirement Home UCLA can’t allow protesters to block Jewish students from campus, judge rules Final Columbia University antisemitism report details disturbing examples of Jewish students being cruelly singled out Met Police apologizes for 'openly Jewish' comment Paris Peace Forum Manuel Valls Charlie Hebdo attack: Three days of terror ‘Déjà Vu’: Remembering Hyper Cacher Five Years Later Otto Frank Report of the Yale Committee on Trust in Higher Education Tel Aviv University BBYO Venice Biennale previews in chaos, overshadowed by row over Israeli and Russian participation Sara J. Bloomfield Abraham Accords Leading Jewish Organizations Disturbed By Saudi Arabia’s Islamist Turn Wahhabism Fight against antisemitism Keir 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 Violence Emory Together: Countering Antisemitism // DC Council of Europe Organization of American States OSCE Would-be Michigan car bomber rammed explosives-laden truck into Temple Israel preschool — before security guards shot him dead NCSY USY A Break in the Argentina Murder Case Tied to Iran Iran: Mahsa Amini's father accuses authorities of a cover-up 92nd Street Y AIPAC Debbie Wasserman Schultz Dutch ministers decry Israeli ministry’s report on Amsterdam violence Trump Is Right to Deport Hamas Supporters Fiddler on the Roof Grace and Frankie Jon Ossoff The Presidential Campaign That Changed American Politics Shabbat Purim Passover The Metropolitan Museum of Art What Is the Amidah? After Senate Confirmation Hearing, CAM Voices ‘Unqualified Support’ for Appointment of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as Next US Antisemitism Special Envoy Six-Day War The Western Wall: The Western Wall Tunnels Mandelbaum Gate How Golda Meir Rose to Become the ‘Iron Lady’ of Israel Arab Terrorists Murder Israelis at Munich Olympics Natan Sharansky, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Advisory Board Fear No Evil Gal Beckerman When They Come for Us, We'll Be Gone: The Epic Struggle to Save Soviet Jewry The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob Support the podcast directly by becoming a member of the Kehillah. Watch Being Jewish on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@beingjewishpodcast Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter: bit.ly/beingjewishnewsletter For Sponsorships, please email: jonahplattinfo@gmail.com Merchandise https://beingjewishpodcast.com/merch To contact us & all things BJJP: www.BeingJewishPodcast.com Follow Jonah on: Instagram - @JonahPlatt X - @JonahPlatt Follow Being Jewish on: Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast TikTok - @BeingJewish 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 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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Being Jewish with Jonah Platt is the hit weekly podcast that illuminates the vast, beautiful, and often unexplored tapestry of Jewish identity, through deeply honest and personal conversations with notable Jews and non-Jewish allies alike. Hosted by actor & advocate Jonah Platt, a trusted expert in contemporary Jewish culture, identity, and politics, Being Jewish seeks to engage, educate, and empower listeners to take full ownership of their identities and live as their proudest, most authentic selves. https://beingjewishpodcast.com/join

Information

  • Creator
    Jonah Platt // Jewish Identity, Culture, and Current Events
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jonah Platt
  • Show Website
    Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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