Jewish Actually

Jewish Actually
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Judaism
  • Updated Weekly

What does it mean to be Jewish today—especially if you’re a teen growing up in a world full of contradictions, questions, and culture shifts? Hosted by Lila Newman, a Gen-Z Jewish girl figuring it out in real time, Jewish Actually explores identity, memory, and meaning through honest conversations with people across generations. It’s a podcast about belonging, asking questions, and claiming your voice. Whether you’re religious, secular, just curious, or somewhere in between, Jewish Actually is for anyone thinking deeply about who they are and

  1. May 9

    Jewish Media Today with Neil Friedman (CEO of ChaiFlicks & Founder of Menemsha Films)

    In this episode of Jewish Actually, I sit down with Neil Friedman, CEO of ChaiFlicks and Founder of Menemsha Films, to explore his journey in building and shaping Jewish film and media. We discuss his path into the industry, the evolution of his work from distribution to streaming, and what it takes to bring Jewish stories to diverse audiences around the world. Neil has worked as an associate lawyer on the set of Hairspray and has held numerous senior roles with major film distributors, including New Line Cinema, Columbia Pictures, and The Pressman Company. He has represented multiple Academy Award nominees and has played a key role in financing and distributing Jewish film and television across North America and globally through Menemsha Films and ChaiFlicks—the largest Jewish streaming platform in the world. Our conversation also dives into the broader role of Jewish media today: why storytelling matters, how it’s evolving in response to current events and rising antisemitism, and the responsibility of preserving and sharing Jewish narratives in a modern landscape. Whether you’re interested in film, media, or the future of Jewish storytelling, this episode offers a thoughtful look inside the industry from one of its leading voices. Thanks to ChaiFlicks and Neil, you can use the special discount code ACTUALLY36 to use ChaiFlicks at a discounted rate for only $3 a month, or $36 a year. Redemption link: http://www.chaiflicks.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=actually36&plan=yearly

    58 min

  2. Apr 25

    The Obamas’ Former Speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz on Her Books and Rediscovering Jewish Identity

    In this episode of Jewish Actually, I sat down with Sarah Hurwitz, The Obamas’ former speechwriter, to talk about her journey from the White House to writing her own two books exploring her own Jewish identity re-discovery and passion. We discuss her time crafting speeches at the highest levels of American politics, what she learned about language and power, and how that work eventually led her to a deeper engagement with Jewish texts and tradition through her books: "Here All Along" and "As A Jew". Sarah reflects on how her writing has evolved and how Jewish ideas reshaped her understanding of purpose and identity.

    56 min

  3. Apr 18

    From the IDF to Bob Dylan: Finding Jewish Meaning in Music with CEO Dr. Stephen Arnoff (Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center)

    In this episode of Jewish Actually, I'm joined by Dr. Stephen Arnoff, CEO of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, for a wide-ranging conversation on music, meaning, and Jewish life. We talked about Dr. Arnoff's transition from the IDF, to fellowships and experiences that shaped his leadership, to his work today at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center. A major focus of our conversation is music—especially Bob Dylan—and how it can serve as a powerful lens for understanding Judaism, spirituality, and identity. Tune in for an absolutely fascinating conversation with one of the most compelling voices at the intersection of Jewish identity, culture, and music today! 👉 Check Dr. Arnoff's Substack: https://stephendanielarnoff.substack.com/ And Dr. Arnoff's book "About Man and God and Law: The Spiritual Wisdom of Bob Dylan".

    54 min

  4. Apr 11

    AJC's Leader's For Tomorrow Program: With Aaron Bregman

    In this episode of Jewish Actually, Aaron Bregman joins me to discuss the American Jewish Committee’s Leaders for Tomorrow program (which he oversees): an initiative shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders. The conversation explores how young people are building leadership skills, strengthening their Jewish identity, and preparing to engage with today’s most pressing challenges. Aaron shares insights into the program’s impact and why investing in future leaders to combat antisemitism matters now more than ever.

    37 min

  5. Apr 4

    Inside AJC's ACCESS Global with Alana Wilck, Assistant Director

    In this episode of Jewish, Actually, we go inside AJC ACCESS Global with Alana Wilck, Assistant Director of the program. Alana shares how ACCESS connects young Jewish leaders around the world, builds global networks, and shapes the future of Jewish advocacy. Tune in for insights on leadership, international impact, and what it really means to take Jewish engagement global.

    38 min

  6. Mar 28

    Jewish Film Feature: "We Should Eat" with Alysia Reiner and Shaina Feinberg

    In this episode of Jewish Actually, I’m joined by actress and producer Alysia Reiner (Orange Is the New Black, Equity), and filmmaker and writer Shaina Feinberg (The New York Times, This American Life). Together, they discuss their short film “We Should Eat,” an absolutely hilarious look at family, identity, and the tensions that surface around the dinner table. We also talked about Alycia and Shaina's incredible careers and fascinating Jewish upbringings and lives.

    46 min

  7. Mar 21

    When Holocaust Denial Went to Court: The Irving v. Lipstadt Trial with Dr. Kenneth Stern

    What happens when history itself is put on trial? In this episode of Jewish Actually, Lila sits down with Dr. Kenneth Stern, the director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, who spent 25 years at the American Jewish Committee, and helped develop the working definition of antisemitism later adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and has testified before the U.S. Congress on hate and extremism. Stern also played a key behind-the-scenes role as a special advisor in one of the most consequential legal battles over truth in modern history: Irving v. Penguin Books and Deborah Lipstadt. In this conversation, Stern takes us inside the case, not just what happened, but how it was fought. From the decision to turn the trial into a case against the denier, to the strategy of relying on expert historians instead of survivors, to the painstaking work of exposing distortions line by line, Stern breaks down the legal and intellectual playbook used to dismantle Holocaust denial in court. Lila and Stern also explore how the IHRA working definition of anti-semitism and how it connects to hate and extremism today. As one of the leading drafters of the definition, Stern explains its significance and potential challenges, too.

    50 min

  8. Mar 14

    Capturing Jewish Stories: With Emmy-Nominated Filmmaker Laura Seltzer-Duny

    In this episode of Jewish Actually, Laura Seltzer-Duny, an Emmy-nominated and PBS award-winning documentary filmmaker, joins to discuss her powerful film Nobody Wants Us. In this conversation, she reflects on the role of film in preserving Jewish history, the responsibility of telling Holocaust stories, and how documentary storytelling can shape public responsibility, understanding, and takeaways. Seltzer-Duny also shares the impact the film has had on audiences and why continuing to tell Jewish stories through film remains so important today.

    34 min
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About

What does it mean to be Jewish today—especially if you’re a teen growing up in a world full of contradictions, questions, and culture shifts? Hosted by Lila Newman, a Gen-Z Jewish girl figuring it out in real time, Jewish Actually explores identity, memory, and meaning through honest conversations with people across generations. It’s a podcast about belonging, asking questions, and claiming your voice. Whether you’re religious, secular, just curious, or somewhere in between, Jewish Actually is for anyone thinking deeply about who they are and

Information

  • Creator
    Jewish Actually
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jewish Actually
  • Show Website
    Jewish Actually