GOLDA Girls

GOLDA Media
  • 5.0 (58)
  • Judaism

A podcast for Jewish women with a lot to say. GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick sits down with journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko each week to talk culture, community, identity, and the everyday moments shaping modern Jewish life.

  1. 4d ago

    American Dream with Jessica Siskin

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko discuss the Sunkist Fruit Gem drama and the new Hanukkah sweater Barbie doll, and answer a listener’s “Type A challah question.” This week’s guest is Jessica Siskin, author of the new novel Looks Perfect.  Recommendations: The Balloon Museum  Looks Perfect, by Jessica Siskin Good for the Jews:  Stephanie: Challah Back Girls  Esther: Shul bonnets Diana: The sukkah Jessica: The Chabad guys outside Zara in Soho.  Upcoming events:  October 8, 2026 — New York City: Esther Chehebar interviews artist and food writer Linda Dangoor, author of From the Tigris to the Thames at the Moise Safra Center; https://tinyurl.com/ASFMSCDangoor October 14, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie in conversation with Matti Friedman about Jewish identity beyond the West. 8 p.m. at 92NY; https://www.92ny.org/event/matti-friedman-with-stephanie-butnick. October 19, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Rabbi Rachel Ain for the launch of her book Watch How You Go: Jewish Wisdom for Your Journey Ahead. 7 p.m., Sutton Place Synagogue; spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/rrabooklaunch. October 20, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Dr. Katie Davis about her new book Actually, You’re Fine at the Upper East Side WTHN studio. https://luma.com/rwzedeza  Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.  Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. Where you can find the GOLDA Girls: Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.   Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.  Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939. Sponsors: GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.  This episode is also sponsored by the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative, created in collaboration with NJOP. The Shema Initiative invites us to reconnect with Judaism’s most foundational prayer through beautiful videos, art, inspiration, and even a free Hebrew Reading Crash Course. Join The Shema Initiative and you can enter to win a beautiful gold-plated Shema bracelet handmade by Oriya—a piece of jewelry designed to remind you to keep this foundational prayer top of mind and close to your heart. Learn more and sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda.  – GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.  You can listen to GOLDA Girls on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golda-girls/id1895644983Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eLma0Exh3LDv2Ay8fx8CqPocket Casts: https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/golda-girls/ed7285a0-2487-013f-2ec2-0e872f6a2b21Leave us a review and we’ll send you a GOLDA sticker! Email a screenshot of your review to hi@goldaguide.com.  Stay GOLDA.

  2. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    GOLDA Interviews: Ron Segal, Author of ‘Delicate’

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick talks to Ron Segal, the Israeli-born, Berlin-based author of Delicate, the latest pick from our presenting sponsor Nu Reads, the Jewish subscription series that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Delicate is a brilliant and haunting novel about memory, and the Holocaust, and the stories we leave behind. The book is officially out in English next year, but Nu Reads subscribers have early access to it, along with exclusive experiences with authors, and a community built on a shared passion for Jewish storytelling. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda—visit www.NuReads.org to get started today. GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. You can listen to GOLDA Girls on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/golda-girls/id1895644983Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eLma0Exh3LDv2Ay8fx8CqPocket Casts: https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/golda-girls/ed7285a0-2487-013f-2ec2-0e872f6a2b21Stay GOLDA

  3. Sep 25

    2 Break-Fast 2 Furious

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko break through their post-break-fast delirium to discuss fasting for Yom Kippur while parenting, the tri-state-area run on rainbow bagels for break-fast, and Sotheby’s upcoming Magnificent Judaica sale (aka the new Met Gala).  Chef and recipe developer Arielle Nir joins the GOLDA Girls to share how she updates the Persian, Moroccan, and Israeli recipes she grew up with for a new generation—and offers two Sukkot-ready recipes that Esther swears by. Subscribe to GOLDA to get the recipes delivered to your inbox: goldaguide.com/subscribe Tell us about your magnificent Judaica—email us at hi@goldaguide.com and we'll share it on air. This week’s recommendations: Under the Persimmon Tree, by Suzanne Fisher Staples  DIY Graham Cracker Sukkah, Our Happy Tribe  Audrey Levy Women’s Siddur, Sephardic Heritage Foundation Siddur bedazzling Good for the Jews:  Stephanie: Susan Alexandra’s new sticker book Esther: The film Legend of Destruction, voiced by Oscar Isaac and Evangeline Lily Diana: Yom Kippur afternoon programming at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Upcoming events:  October 14, 2026 — New York City + virtual: Stephanie in conversation with Matti Friedman about Jewish identity beyond the West. 8 p.m. at 92NY (in-person and streaming); https://www.92ny.org/event/matti-friedman-with-stephanie-butnick. October 19, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Rabbi Rachel Ain for the launch of her book Watch How You Go: Jewish Wisdom for Your Journey Ahead. 7 p.m., Sutton Place Synagogue; spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/rrabooklaunch. Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.  Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. Where you can find the GOLDA Girls: Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.   Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.  Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939. GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.  Sponsors: GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today. This episode is also sponsored by the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative, created in collaboration with NJOP. The Shema Initiative invites us to reconnect with Judaism’s most foundational prayer through beautiful videos, art, inspiration, and even a free Hebrew Reading Crash Course. Join The Shema Initiative and you can enter to win a beautiful gold-plated Shema bracelet handmade by Oriya—a piece of jewelry designed to remind you to keep this foundational prayer top of mind and close to your heart. Learn more and sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda.

  4. Sep 18

    Back to Basics

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko are joined by Mamaleh Jewelry founder Dara Katz to kick off 5787. The Girls talk about the behind-the-scenes stress of the High Holidays, the Macklemore drama, and more.  They also go back to basics and dig into the Shema prayer, with some help from the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative. And of course, there’s jewelry involved: join the Shema Initiative and enter to win a Shema bracelet by Oriya Jewels. Sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda.  This week’s recommendations: Mamaleh’s Yente nameplate necklace, mahjong tile charm, and challah charm.    Good for the Jews:  Stephanie: Sydney Sweeney spotted at synagogue on Rosh Hashanah. Dara: Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts’ daughter Kai Schreiber walking the Thom Browne runway at New York Fashion Week.  Esther: Dara Horn’s new book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Letter to the Living.  Diana: Miznon’s Bag of Green Beans.  Upcoming events:  September 22, 2026 — New York City: Diana interviews Zibby Owens about her new book Between Chapters at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan;  https://www.mmjccm.org/event/between-chapters-zibby-owens-in-conversation-with-rabbi-diana-fersko October 14, 2026 — New York City + virtual: Stephanie in conversation with Matti Friedman at 92NY (in-person and streaming); https://www.92ny.org/event/matti-friedman-with-stephanie-butnick. October 15, 2026 — New York City: Save the date for the next event in our Harmonie Club residency, all about redefining Jewish jewelry and Judaica and featuring some of our favorite designers and artists.  October 19, 2026 — New York City: Stephanie interviews Rabbi Rachel Ain for the launch of her book, Watch How You Go: Jewish Wisdom for Your Journey Ahead, at Sutton Place Synagogue; spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/rrabooklaunch. Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.  Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. Where you can find the GOLDA Girls: Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.   Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.  Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939. GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.  Sponsors: GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today. This episode is also sponsored by the Simchat Torah Challenge’s Shema Initiative, created in collaboration with NJOP. The Shema Initiative invites us to reconnect with Judaism’s most foundational prayer through beautiful videos, art, inspiration, and even a free Hebrew Reading Crash Course. Join The Shema Initiative and you can enter to win a beautiful gold-plated Shema bracelet handmade by Oriya—a piece of jewelry designed to remind you to keep this foundational prayer top of mind and close to your heart. Learn more and sign up at SimchatTorahChallenge.org/Golda.

  5. Sep 11

    Ringing in 5787

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko welcome the new Jewish year the GOLDA Girls way: by saluting the “temple dress” wardrobe staple, breaking down why some Jews avoid leather shoes on Yom Kippur, and wondering how the shofar blower trains for the High Holidays, aka the shofar Super Bowl.  The GOLDA Girls also say farewell to co-host Gabby, who will be joining the Atlantic as a staff writer later this month. We love you, Gabby! Follow along with Gabby’s work by subscribing to her Substack at gsdeutch.substack.com.  Good for the Jews picks:  Stephanie: P!nk making kugel on Instagram.  Diana: Communal Jewish singing.  Esther: Nathan Fielder.  Gabby: The GOLDA Girls podcast!  Upcoming events:  Tuesday, September 15—New York City: Stephanie interviews curator Dr. Smadar Sheffi at the opening reception of A Taste of Belonging, an exhibit about the intersection of art, culture, and cuisine. 6 p.m. at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan; register here. Thursday, September 17 — New York City: Stephanie in conversations with Dr. Beth Ricanati at the launch event for her book The Braided Prescription: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Ritual of Making Challah. 7 p.m. at The Strand Columbus; register here. Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.  Send your high holiday fashion tips to hi@goldaguide.com.  Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. Where to find the GOLDA Girls: Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.   Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.  Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939. GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.  Sponsors: GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.

  6. Sep 4

    Bageling and Beyond

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko break down their High Holiday hosting prep, continue the “bageling” discussion with a moving listener letter, and sound off about John Galliano bowing out of his Met Costume Institute honor. We also get our heads in the game for the Jewish New Year with some inspiration from the Simchat Torah Challenge. Good for the Jews picks:  Stephanie: Gal Gadot’s appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast  Gabby: Adon Olam to the tune of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way”  Diana: Rabbis giving it their all on the High Holidays Esther: The Jewish history of the teddy bear (as told in the book Playmakers ) This week’s recs:  GOLDA’s High Holiday shopping guide Grandma’s Cheese in Long Branch, N.J.  The Concise Book of Mitzvot by Chofetz Chaim  The Shabbat Effect by Alan Morinis Looks Perfect by Jessica Siskin  Gabby’s Jewish Reading List Feldi Studios kiddush cup (discount code GOLDAxFELDI) Peace Love Light Shop (discount code GOLDA) Upcoming events:  Tuesday, September 15—New York City: Stephanie interviews curator Dr. Smadar Sheffi at the opening reception of A Taste of Belonging, an exhibit about the intersection of art, culture, and cuisine. 6 p.m. at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan; register here. Thursday, September 17 — New York City: Stephanie in conversations with Dr. Beth Ricanati at the launch event for her book The Braided Prescription: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Ritual of Making Challah. 7 p.m. at The Strand Columbus; register here. Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.  Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at hi@goldaguide.com. You can also send us a voice note; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from. Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. Where you can find the GOLDA Girls: Subscribe to Gabby’s Substack at gsdeutch.substack.com.  Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and get her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.   Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.  Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939. GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.  Sponsors: GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. Get 15% off your subscription with code NuGolda. Visit NuReads.org to get started today. This week’s episode is also brought to you by the Simchat Torah Challenge, your weekly reminder that ancient Jewish texts are surprisingly good at modern life. If you haven't yet joined the world’s oldest book club and the community of tens of thousands, sign up at simchattorahchallenge.org/golda.

  7. Aug 22

    High Holiday Chic with Elisa Solomon Jewelry, Feldi Studios, and Challah Back Girls

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk Jewish henna ceremonies, our favorite Jewish wedding traditions, and Esther’s response to New York Magazine’s Habibi City article. (For more on the Syrian Jewish community in New York City, check out Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune. You can find the Crusty Sisters, who emceed Esther’s recent rager, on Instagram.)  As part of GOLDA’s annual High Holidays Shopping Guide, Stephanie interviews the women behind three of the businesses featured—Elisa Solomon of Elisa Solomon Jewelry, Melissa Felderman of Feldi Studios, and Sara Loffman of Challah Back Girls. Check out the full High Holiday guide at goldaguide.com Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at hi@goldaguide.com. You can also send us a voicenote; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from. This week's Good for the Jews picks:  Stephanie: Sterling Point, the soapy teen drama starring Jewish actress Ella Rubin.  Diana: Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro’s Jewish and Israeli contestants. Gabby: Jewish weddings!  Esther: The Special Children’s Center Upcoming events:  Thursday, September 17 — New York City: Stephanie Butnick interviews Dr. Beth Ricanati at the launch event for her book The Braided Prescription: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Practice of Making Challah. 7 p.m. at The Strand Columbus; register here. Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.  Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. Where you can find the GOLDA Girls: Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.   Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.  Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939. GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.  Sponsors: GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. You can check out Stephanie’s interview with Nu Reads featured author Portia Elan about her new novel, Homebound, in the GOLDA Girls feed. Use code NuGolda at checkout for 15% off your subscription. Visit NuReads.org to get started today. Stay GOLDA.

  8. Aug 14

    Mahjong vs. Canasta and Tennis vs. Pickleball with Matthew Futterman

    GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick, journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar and Rabbi Diana Fersko talk mahjong vs. canasta, Sephora products coming to Israel, and the challah wars unfolding in the GOLDA Girls groupchat. Sportswriter Matthew Futterman, whose new book is The Cruelest Game: Chasing Greatness in Professional Tennis, joins the hosts to break down tennis vs pickleball, Novak Djokovic’s dinner order, and how tennis tells the story of post-war American Jewish life. Send us your Ask GOLDA questions at hi@goldaguide.com. You can also send them as a voice memo; be sure to tell us who you are and where you’re calling from. Good for the Jews picks:  Stephanie: People mishearing Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas lyric “he’s choosin’ Texas I can tell” as “there’s Jews in Texas I can tell”  Gabby: Jane Bordeaux’s Hebrew cover of Choosin’ Texas  Esther: The upcoming Leonard Cohen tribute concert organized by the late musician’s family  Diana: David cards Upcoming events:  Tuesday, August 18  — Southampton, NY: Join GOLDA for a special kids Mini Mahj event at ColorPop Workshop’s Southampton studio. Beginners welcome! Ticket includes one adult + one child (6 and up); sign up at luma.com/dggc7sfe.   Thursday, September 17 — New York City: Stephanie Butnick interviews Dr. Beth Ricanati at the launch event for her book The Braided Prescription: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Practice of Making Challah. 7 p.m. at The Strand Columbus; register here. Find out about all of our upcoming events at goldaguide.com/p/events.  Subscribe to GOLDA at goldaguide.com and follow us on Instagram at @goldaguide. Where you can find the GOLDA Girls: Subscribe to Gabby Deutch’s Substack at gsdeutch.substack.com. Get Gabby’s new Golda hat from LVL III—use code IYKYK for $5 off.  Sign up for Diana Fersko’s print newsletter, Modern Jewess, at modern-jewess.com, and buy her book, We Need to Talk About Antisemitism, at rabbidianafersko.com/books.   Get Esther Chehebar’s novel Sisters of Fortune at bookshop.org/a/110357/9780593734544, and her children’s book I Share My Name, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781532432187.  Buy Stephanie Butnick’s book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at bookshop.org/a/110357/9781579658939. GOLDA Girls is a production of GOLDA Media. The show is executive produced by Ariel Shapiro and edited by POLDHU.  Sponsors: GOLDA Girls is presented by Nu Reads, a new Jewish book subscription series curated by the Jewish Book Council that brings remarkable literature straight to your door. You can check out Stephanie’s interview with Nu Reads featured author Portia Elan about her new novel, Homebound, in the GOLDA Girls feed. Use code NuGolda at checkout for 15% off your subscription. Visit NuReads.org to get started today.

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About

A podcast for Jewish women with a lot to say. GOLDA founder Stephanie Butnick sits down with journalist Gabby Deutch, novelist Esther Chehebar, and Rabbi Diana Fersko each week to talk culture, community, identity, and the everyday moments shaping modern Jewish life.

Information

  • Creator
    GOLDA Media
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GOLDA Girls
  • Show Website
    GOLDA Girls

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