Can Jew Believe?

Brad Pomerance
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED 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. 5D AGO

    Now Found: Hungary's Hidden Jews

    In this captivating continuation of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance sits down for Part 2 of his conversation with Marcell Kenesei, Executive Director of the JCC Budapest. After exploring 1,000 years of history in their first episode, Brad and Marcell dive into the raw, complex reality of post-WWII Hungary—from the trauma-induced silence of the Communist era to a modern-day Jewish cultural renaissance. Marcell shares his own jaw-dropping personal story: how he discovered his own hidden Jewish roots as a teenager, and how a chance trip to Cleveland revealed a hidden family legacy of Holocaust rescue that his own father never spoke about. Finally, they tackle the massive political shift currently rocking Central Europe. With Peter Magyar’s recent historic, supermajority victory defeating Viktor Orbán, what does this political earthquake mean for the third-largest Jewish population in the European Union? -- Key Topics: - History of Hungarian Jewry from 1000 to WWII - Post-WWII Jewish community in Hungary - Communism's effect on Jewish identity - Fall of the Iron Curtain and Jewish revival - Recent political changes and their impact on Jews -- Follow Marcell: https://www.facebook.com/marcell.kenesei https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcell-kenesei-6055241b6/ https://www.instagram.com/marszelusz/ -- Follow JCC Budapest: https://www.instagram.com/balinthaz/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/jcc-budapest-bálint-ház/ https://www.facebook.com/BalintHaz/ -- 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

    33 min

  2. MAY 15

    Uncovering 1,000 Years of Hungarian Jews: From Royal Kings to WWII

    In this gripping episode of "Can Jew Believe," Host Brad Pomerance sits down with Marcell Kenesei, Executive Director of the JCC Budapest, to unravel the epic and often paradoxical history of Hungarian Jewry. Spanning over a millennium, the story of Jews in Hungary is one of grand success, cultural integration, and sudden, heartbreaking tragedy. From the welcoming decrees of Hungary's first king 1,000 years ago, to the "Golden Age" of the Austro-Hungarian Empire where the Hungarian Jewish community became one of the most vibrant in the world, through the tragedy of the Second World War. This is a two-part episode. Listen/watch the 2nd part of this conversation, where Brad and Marcel discuss Hungarian Jewry’s remarkable resilience after World War II, through the Communist era, after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, through to the present day, with the defeat of Victor Orban and historic election of Peter Magyar. -- Key Topics: - Origins of Hungarian Jewry under King Stephen - Impact of Ottoman conquest on Jewish communities - Habsburg rule and anti-Semitic policies - Hungary's role in WWII and the Holocaust - Post-war recovery and modern Hungarian Jewry -- Follow Marcell: https://www.facebook.com/marcell.kenesei https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcell-kenesei-6055241b6/ https://www.instagram.com/marszelusz/ -- 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

    34 min

  3. MAY 8

    How Israel Is Connecting With US College Students: TAMID!

    In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," Brad Pomerance talks with Yoni Heilman, CEO of TAMID Group, an organization connecting the next generation of business leaders on college campuses to Israel’s "Startup Nation." With a ten-fold increase in antisemitic incidents on university campuses since October 7th, the climate for Jewish students is more challenging than ever. But while headlines focus on protests and hostile anti-Israel faculty, a quiet revolution is happening. Discover how TAMID bypasses the political noise by focusing on what students care about most: their careers. From consulting for Israeli startups to elite internships in Tel Aviv, learn how TAMID is creating a "bias toward action" that keeps the Israeli economy thriving while giving students the "chutzpah" to lead fearlessly in a divided world. -- Key Topics: - TAMID's origin and mission - Engagement with Israel through business, not politics - Impact of anti-Semitism and campus hostility - Diversity and inclusion in TAMID - Student projects and real-world Israeli collaborations - TAMID's growth and chapter expansion -- Follow Yoni: https://www.facebook.com/yoni.heilman.1 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonahheilman/ https://www.instagram.com/yonionthemove/ -- Follow TAMID: www.tamidgroup.org https://www.instagram.com/tamidgroup/ https://www.facebook.com/TAMIDgroup https://www.linkedin.com/company/tamid-israel-investment-group/ -- 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

    29 min

  4. MAY 1

    The Democratic Party’s Dilemma: How Jew Hatred is Infiltrating Local School Boards and City Halls

    In this eye-opening episode of Can Jew Believe?, host Brad Pomerance is joined by Dillon Hosier, CEO of the Israeli American Civic Action Network (ICAN). Together, they pull back the curtain on the massive, coordinated political strategy to undermine Israel: the radicalization of local governments, often through local Democratic Party elected officials and activists. While most eyes are on D.C., an orchestrated movement is targeting the quarter-million local officials—from school boards to city councils—who serve as the "pipeline" to federal power. -- Key Topics: - ICAN's role in monitoring local legislation and social media - The pipeline from local officials to national policy on Israel - The influence of city and school board races on anti-Semitic rhetoric and policies - Strategies for grassroots engagement in pro-Israel advocacy -- Follow Dillon: https://twitter.com/DillonHosier https://www.instagram.com/dillon.hosier/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillonhosier/ https://www.facebook.com/DillonLHosier -- Follow The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN): https://twitter.com/ICANAction https://www.facebook.com/ICANAction/ https://www.instagram.com/icanaction/ -- 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

    32 min

  5. APR 24

    What is Zionism? The True Story Behind Theodor Herzl's National Liberation Movement

    In this episode of Can Jew Believe?, Host Brad Pomerance sits down with Canadian Lawyer David Matlow, who has amassed the largest private collection of Theodore Herzl memorabilia in the world, with over 6,000 pieces. Explore the life and legacy of the father of Political Zionism, his origins, pivotal life moments, the significance of Zionism in today's context, and see some of David’s favorite pieces from his extraordinary Herzl archive. -- Key Topics: - Herzl's early life and family background - The pivotal moment during the Dreyfus trial - Herzl's book 'Der Judenstaat' and its impact - The first Zionist Congress in Basel 1897 - The Uganda Plan and territorial considerations - Herzl's children and legacy - The significance of memorabilia in preserving history-- Follow David: https://www.facebook.com/david.matlow.3 https://www.instagram.com/dmatlow/ https://twitter.com/DavidMatlow/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mardaveed -- 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

    31 min

  6. APR 17

    The Collapse of Romanian Jewry In One Century: From 800,000+ to 2,000+

    Join us on this episode of "Can Jew Believe?" as Dr. Andrei Schwartz shares his insights on the history of and resilience of the once large Romanian Jewish community, from its early 20th century vibrancy, through World War II, and finally to its post-Communist challenges and the current landscape. Discover the fascinating stories of survival, community, and the ongoing fight against antisemitism. -- Key Topics: - History of Romanian Jews in the early 20th century - Impact of WWII and Holocaust on Romanian Jews - Romania's political changes and their effects on Jewish life - Survival stories during WWII and the Holocaust - Post-Communist revival and current challenges -- Follow Andrei: https://twitter.com/andreischwartz https://www.facebook.com/andrei.schwartz https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreischwartz/ -- 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

    34 min

  7. APR 10

    The Lost Jewish Tribes Found? The Bukharian Jews of the 'Stan' Countries"

    Would You have guessed there have been thriving Jewish communities in the "Stan" countries—Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and beyond—for over two millennia? In this elucidating episode of "Can Jew Believe?," host Brad Pomerance sits down with professor Manashe Khaimov and dives deep into the rich, untold history of Bukharian Jews. -- Key Topics: - Historical origins of Bukharian Jews along the Silk Road - Cultural and religious identity of Bukharian Jews- The impact of Russian and Soviet influence on Bukharian Jewry - Modern Bukharian community in Queens, NY - Language preservation and cultural heritage -- Follow Professor Khaimov: https://www.samiglobal.org/ https://www.instagram.com/manashe_/ https://www.facebook.com/khaimovm/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkhaimov/ https://twitter.com/manashekhaimov -- 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

    31 min

  8. APR 3

    Why Evangelical Christians Love Jews & Israel!

    Why do Evangelical Christians support Israel at a higher rate than almost any other group in America? In this episode of "Can Jew Believe?," Host Brad Pomerance speaks with Evangelical Theologian Dr. Richard Liverance, who also serves as the Director of Marketing for Israeli Ministry of Tourism in the Western United States.  They explore the deep, often misunderstood bond between Evangelical Christians and the Jewish people. While the political Left has seen a sharp decline in support for Israel and a rise in antisemitism since October 7th, Evangelical support on the political Right remains a cornerstone of the Zionist movement.  -- Key Topics: - Biblical support for Israel in evangelical theology - The role of biblical prophecy and eschatology in evangelical support for Israel - The historical and theological relationship between Jews and Christians - The impact of political shifts and social justice movements on Jewish-Christian relations -- Follow Richard & Israeli Tourism: https://www.facebook.com/richard.liverance https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardliverance/ https://twitter.com/richliverance Visit Israel: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_tourism/govil-landing-page -- 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

    31 min
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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
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brad Pomerance
  • Show Website
    Can Jew Believe?

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