Can Jew Believe?

Brad Pomerance
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Society & Culture
  • Weekly

“Can Jew Believe?” is the podcast that dives head-first into the questions, controversies, and cultural puzzles the Jewish world is talking about—and the ones it’s not. Each episode tackles topics you’d never expect, with insights you’d never believe, delivered by leading historians, cultural critics, and political thinkers who aren’t afraid to go where other Jewish podcasts don’t. Bold, surprising, and unfiltered, “Can Jew Believe?” pulls back the curtain on the issues shaping Jewish life today and reveals the stories and perspectives that will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.

  1. 2d ago

    Joe Lieberman’s Legacy - Faith, Politics, and the Center

    How did an Orthodox Jewish senator from Connecticut reshape the American political center?In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with Rob Schwartz, former chief of staff to Senator Joe Lieberman and producer of the documentary "Centered." Schwartz takes us behind the scenes of Lieberman’s historic 1988 U.S. Senate upset victory over Lowell Weicker, his groundbreaking Vice Presidential nomination in 2000, his close bond and international travels with Senator John McCain, and his steadfast commitment to bipartisanship. -- Key Topics: - Schwartz recalls Lieberman’s 1988 Connecticut Senate upset, including a 30-point polling deficit, a focused TV campaign, and a debate where Lieberman knew Lowell Weicker’s record better than Weicker did. - Lieberman’s Orthodox Jewish observance shaped his schedule: he stepped away for Shabbat, even during the 2000 vice-presidential campaign, and his faith was respected rather than used against him, Schwartz says. - Schwartz recounts the close friendship between Lieberman and John McCain, including their foreign-policy trips, shared hotel rooms, and the humor that marked their bond. - The conversation examines Lieberman’s support for McCain in 2008 and his Iraq War vote; Schwartz says Lieberman later regretted the decision in light of the postwar losses and costs. - After losing the 2006 Democratic primary, Lieberman ran as an independent, remained in the Senate caucus, and supplied a crucial vote during Harry Reid’s leadership. - Schwartz discusses Lieberman’s post-Senate work, including No Labels, and his view that he would have stayed a registered Democrat to help move the party back toward the center. - The discussion considers political polarization, antisemitism, and the difficulty of finding a comfortable political home for Jewish Americans across both parties. - Schwartz describes the film *Centered* and Civics 250, a free curriculum on government, voting, bipartisanship, civility, and conflict resolution, as well as resources for community screenings. -- Follow Rob Schwartz & Hidden Light Institute: https://www.facebook.com/rob.schwartz.562 https://www.facebook.com/hiddenlightinstitute/ https://www.instagram.com/hiddenlightinstitute/ https://www.hiddenlightinstitute.org/ -- Check Out The Documentary "Centered": https://centeredfilm.com/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

  2. Oct 23

    Do You Know You Were Speaking Jewish English?

    Can you believe that three million people, maybe even more, speak "Jewish English"? In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance welcomes back Professor Sarah Bunin Benor (Hebrew Union College, USC, and the Jewish Language Project) to decode the unique intonations, grammar rules, and surprising origins of words we use every day—from schlep and nosh to modern Hebrew influences. Together they explore the fascinating world of Jewish English. From the Yiddish words hidden in daily speech to regional differences in England and South Africa, Professor Benor breaks down how Jewish English is evolving—shifting from older Yiddishisms toward modern Hebrew terms. -- Key Topics - Linguistic features of Jewish English, including topicalization and intonation - The origins and development of Jewish English as a distinct linguistic continuum - The influence of pop culture, including TV shows like Seinfeld and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, on Jewish language - Variations of Jewish English across different regions such as South Africa, England, and Australia - The impact of historical and social factors on the evolution of Jewish languages and dialects -- Follow Sarah: https://www.jewishlanguages.org/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahbenor/ https://www.facebook.com/sarah.benor https://twitter.com/SarahBenor/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

  3. Oct 16

    Is Judaism a Religion or an Ethnicity (California Just Weighed In)

    If two-thirds of Jewish Americans view their Jewish identity through culture or ancestry rather than religion, why do government agencies only track Judaism as a faith or religion? In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with David Bocarsly, Executive Director of Jewish California, to discuss the historic, unanimous passage of California Senate Bill 1387. California has officially become the first state in the nation to recognize Judaism as an ethnic and ancestral category in state data collection.David addresses the real concerns surrounding government lists of Jewish people, explains how this ethnic data may unlock vital funding opportunities for Jewish social services and medical research, and shares Jewish California's vision to expand this groundbreaking model to the other 49 states as well as the federal government. -- Key Topics: - Redefinition of Jewish identity beyond religion - Legislative process and support for SB 1387 - Implications for health data collection and genetic research - Impact on hate crime statistics and law enforcement - Concerns about data privacy and historical trauma - Potential for federal adoption and nationwide impact -- Follow David: https://www.facebook.com/davidbocarsly/ https://twitter.com/davidbocarsly https://www.instagram.com/davidbocarsly/ https://www.jewishcal.org/team --Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

  4. Oct 9

    The Scientific Link Between Anti-Semitism, Conspiracies, and Anti-Israel Attitudes

    Is criticism of Israel completely separate from hatred of Jews, or is the world’s oldest prejudice being repackaged? In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with Rutgers University social psychologist Dr. Kent Harber to break down groundbreaking research tracking over 1,100 Americans. Dr. Harber reveals the shocking data behind how classic anti-Semitic tropes are channeled through modern conspiracy theories to fuel anti-Israel outrage—explaining the 55% statistical bridge that critics try to ignore. -- Key Topics: - The relationship between anti-Semitism and anti-Israel hostility - How conspiracy beliefs serve as a bridge between Jew hatred and anti-Israel attitudes - The role of social media in spreading conspiracy theories - Measurement and distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment - Implications for policy and social understanding -- Follow Kent: https://www.facebook.com/kent.harber/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-harber-785a5a10/ -- Read About The Study Here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-76409-003 -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

  5. Oct 2

    Black, Jewish, and Israeli: What They Don't Tell You About Ethiopian Jews

    For over 1,500 years, the Beta Israel community of Ethiopia lived in complete isolation—convinced they were the last remaining Jews on Earth. In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance speaks with multilingual content creator, speaker, and Ethiopian-Israeli influencer Brhan Leibman. Brhan shares her family’s astonishing journey from the remote villages of Ethiopia to Jerusalem. She reveals how her mother shockingly discovered her own Jewish identity through a childhood slur, how her family guarded a 400-year-old holy text in the Ge'ez language, and why the popular "rescue" narrative of Operations Moses and Solomon ignores the incredible agency and deadly sacrifices made by Ethiopian Jews themselves. -- Key Topics: - Ethiopian Jewish history and culture - Family stories and migration from Ethiopia to Israel - The significance of Torah scrolls and religious practices - The narrative of rescue and agency in migration - Experiences of Ethiopian Jews in Israel, including challenges and identity -- Follow Brhan: https://www.instagram.com/brhan_leibman/ https://www.tiktok.com/@beyoubrhan https://www.facebook.com/p/Brhan-Worku-Activist-and-Educator-61572150804864/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brhan-worku/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

  6. Sep 25

    Why Holocaust Education Matters Now More Than Ever!

    Only 25 states in America legislatively mandate Holocaust education—and in a post-October 7th world, even those mandates are facing unprecedented pushback, cancellations, and political conflation. In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance speaks with Samantha Abramson, Executive Director of The Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC) and J-Hub, about the struggle to maintain Holocaust education mandates, how educators handle social media misinformation, and how JHub is creating safe, inclusive spaces for Jewish identity in K-12 classrooms. -- Key Topics: - Legislative success in Wisconsin for Holocaust education - The impact of October seventh on school curricula - The role of Holocaust survivors and their descendants in education - Addressing misinformation and social media influence - Efforts to include Jewish identity and culture in public schools - The creation and goals of J-Hub for K-12 education - Strategies for building relationships with diverse school districts - Challenges and solutions in teaching about sensitive topics -- Follow The Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center: https://holocaustcentermilwaukee.org/ https://www.facebook.com/HERCmilwaukee https://www.instagram.com/hercmilwaukee/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hercmilwaukee/home/ -- Follow J-Hub: https://jhubresources.org/ https://www.facebook.com/jHUBCle -- Follow Samantha: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.abramson.2025 https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-abramson-18683450/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

  7. Sep 18

    The Surprising Reality of Jewish Life in the American Heartland!

    How does a local Jewish publication thrive in an era where major media outlets are collapsing? And why does a state with just a 1% Jewish population consistently shatter political and cultural expectations?In this episode of Can You Believe?, host Brad Pomerance joins Rob Golub, editor of the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle and founder of SuccessfulJournalism.com. Together, they unpack why smaller heartland Jewish communities often build stronger bonds than massive coastal metro communities—and why shifting from "covering" news to “serving” readers, speaking to their emotions and community connections, might just save local and niche journalism. -- Key Topics: - The importance of serving the community through journalism - How to create emotional connections with readers - Strategies for covering sensitive issues like anti-Semitism and Israel-Gaza - The impact of local culture and Midwest Nice on Jewish communities - The story of Jonathan Brostoff and mental health awareness in journalism -- Follow The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle: https://www.jewishchronicle.org https://www.instagram.com/thewisconsinjewishchronicle https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinJewish https://twitter.com/WIJewish -- Follow Rob: https://www.facebook.com/robgolub https://twitter.com/robgolub https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-golub-4b20191b/ -- To Get A More In Depth Look Into Jonathan Brostoff's Story: Friends say Alderman Jonathan Brostoff’s tragic death came after months of bullying, tied to his Jewish and Zionist identities:https://www.jewishchronicle.org/2024/12/04/friends-say-alderman-jonathan-brostoffs-tragic-death-came-after-months-of-bullying-tied-to-his-jewish-and-zionist-identities/ Diana Vang-Brostoff to speak on suicide prevention, nine months after Alderman Jonathan Brostoff’s death https://www.jewishchronicle.org/2025/09/05/diana-vang-brostoff-to-speak-on-suicide-prevention-nine-months-after-alderman-jonathan-brostoffs-death/ -- Check Out Rob's Site: https://www.successfuljournalism.com/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

  8. Sep 11

    The Last of the Ellis Island Jews: The Lost World of Mid-Century Jewish New York

    Over 75% of American Jews trace their roots back to the massive immigration wave through Ellis Island that ended in 1924. But as generations pass, the living memory of that era is fading.In this episode of Can You Believe?, Brad Pomerance sits down with Professor Joel Dinerstein of Tulane University, author of The Last of the Ellis Island Jews. As one of the few surviving witnesses to that late-era Jewish American migration wave, Joel shares hilarious, heartwarming, and deeply personal stories about growing up in a world filled with Yiddish cadence, cousins clubs, and old-world traditions. -- Key Topics: - The migration wave of Jews from Eastern Europe to America - Impact of immigrant upbringing on Jewish identity - The role of food and family in Jewish culture - The influence of the Holocaust on Jewish American consciousness - The changing landscape of Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn - Generational differences in Jewish experience and memory - The significance of diaspora identity in modern Jewish life - The decline of Yiddish and traditional Jewish communities - The cultural legacy of the last Ellis Island generation -- Buy Professor Joel Dinerstein's Book: The Last Jews Of Ellis Island: A Brooklyn Memoir https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNC3J3V8?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback -- Follow Professor Joel Dinerstein: https://twitter.com/JoelDinerstein https://www.instagram.com/jndprez/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-dinerstein-7611691/ -- Follow JLTV: https://facebook.com/jewishlifetv https://twitter.com/jewishlifetv https://instagram.com/jewishlifetv https://tiktok.com/@jltvtok -- Follow Brad: https://facebook.com/bradpomerance https://twitter.com/bradpomerance https://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

“Can Jew Believe?” is the podcast that dives head-first into the questions, controversies, and cultural puzzles the Jewish world is talking about—and the ones it’s not. Each episode tackles topics you’d never expect, with insights you’d never believe, delivered by leading historians, cultural critics, and political thinkers who aren’t afraid to go where other Jewish podcasts don’t. Bold, surprising, and unfiltered, “Can Jew Believe?” pulls back the curtain on the issues shaping Jewish life today and reveals the stories and perspectives that will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.

Information

  • Creator
    Brad Pomerance
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brad Pomerance
  • Show Website
    Can Jew Believe?

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