The Jewish Lives Podcast

Jewish Lives
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  • Judaism
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The Jewish Lives Podcast explores the lives of remarkable Jewish figures from antiquity to the present. Hosted by Alessandra Wollner, each episode features a conversation with an acclaimed Jewish Lives author, illuminating the life and enduring legacy of the subject of their biography. Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of biography published by Yale University Press and the Leon D. Black Foundation. Join us as we explore the Jewish experience together.

  1. May 11

    EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD

    Edmond de Rothschild (1845–1934) was born into one of the wealthiest families in history, but his legacy lies beyond aristocratic privilege. Join us with award-winning historian James McAuley, author of the new biography Edmond de Rothschild: Finding Zion, as we explore the story of a man who defied his elite world to support a radical cause: the creation of a Jewish homeland.

    EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD

  2. Mar 31

    STEPHEN SONDHEIM

    Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021) was a towering figure in American musical theater. Join us with Daniel Okrent, author of the new biography Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy, as we explore the ways Sondheim’s music and lyrics express the inner life of one of the twentieth century’s most beloved theatrical composers.

    STEPHEN SONDHEIM

  3. Mar 9

    MORDECAI M. KAPLAN

    Rabbi, writer, teacher, and thinker, Mordecai M. Kaplan (1881–1983) was one of the leading Jewish personalities of twentieth-century America. Founder of the Reconstructionist movement, he was a maverick who reshaped religious faith and practice, generating controversy at every turn. Join us with Jenna Weissman Joselit, author of the new biography Mordecai M. Kaplan: Restless Soul, as we explore the legacy of this influential and iconoclastic thinker and shed new light on the meaning of American Judaism, identity, the limits of belonging, and the role of faith in modern society.

    MORDECAI M. KAPLAN

  4. Feb 10

    WALTER BENJAMIN

    Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) is widely considered one of the most creative cultural critics of the twentieth century. Join us with Harvard University scholar Peter E. Gordon, author of the new biography Walter Benjamin: The Pearl Diver, as we look beyond the image of Benjamin as a tragic figure of German-Jewish history and explore his complex personality of unique and multifaceted gifts.

    WALTER BENJAMIN

  5. 11/20/2025

    LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN

    According to the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951), philosophy is a “battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language.” This audacious idea changed the way many of its practitioners saw their subject. Join us with Anthony Gottlieb, author of the new biography Ludwig Wittgenstein: Philosophy in the Age of Airplanes, as we explore the life of one of the most influential philosophers of the twentieth century. Music in this episode:  Symphony No.3 Poco Allegretto by Johannes Brahms

    LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN

  6. 10/10/2025

    PHILIP ROTH

    Philip Roth (1933–2018) is one of the most celebrated American writers of the 20th century. Join us with Steven J. Zipperstein, author of the groundbreaking biography Philip Roth: Stung by Life, as we explore Roth’s remarkable life and the astonishing range of his self-reflective writings.

    PHILIP ROTH

  7. 09/15/2025

    CAROLE KING

    Carole King’s extraordinary career has defined American popular music for more than half a century. Join us with journalist Jane Eisner, author of the new biography Carole King: She Made the Earth Move, as we explore King’s lasting contributions to the great American songbook.

    CAROLE KING

  8. 05/27/2025

    FRANZ BOAS

    Franz Boas (1858–1942) is widely acknowledged for his pioneering work in the field of cultural anthropology. Join us with Noga Arikha, author of the new biography Franz Boas: In Praise of Open Minds, as we explore how urgently relevant his voice and legacy have become again today. Buy the book here Join our mailing list to learn more: https://www.jewishlives.org/subscribe

    FRANZ BOAS
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4.7
out of 5
105 Ratings

About

The Jewish Lives Podcast explores the lives of remarkable Jewish figures from antiquity to the present. Hosted by Alessandra Wollner, each episode features a conversation with an acclaimed Jewish Lives author, illuminating the life and enduring legacy of the subject of their biography. Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of biography published by Yale University Press and the Leon D. Black Foundation. Join us as we explore the Jewish experience together.

Information

  • Creator
    Jewish Lives
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019, Jewish Lives, The Jewish Lives Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Jewish Lives Podcast

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