What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast

Jewish Funders Network
  • 4.8 (9)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast

The issues, stories, and people changing the world in philanthropy and the Jewish community. If you like "What Gives?" be sure to check out "Outside the Tzedakah Box" (https://honeycomb.org/podcast-outside-tzedakah-box/) a podcast on Jewish youth philanthropy from JFN's Honeycomb.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Yehuda Kurtzer - Jewish Identity in a Changing World

    Episode 58 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Yehuda Kurtzer, President of the Shalom Hartman Institute. Andrés and Yehuda dive into a topic that speaks to the heart of our communal and personal identities—how we grapple with change, wrestle with belonging, and find meaning in the face of uncertainty. Yehuda brings his nuanced perspective on how tradition, intellectual inquiry, and a vision for the future converge to shape Jewish identity today. They explore the complexities of Jewish life and ask what it means to build community in an era of individualism.

    1h 2m

  2. DEC 4

    Laura Lauder - Philanthropic Leadership and Securing the Jewish Future

    Episode 57 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Laura Lauder, a trailblazer in Jewish philanthropy whose work has reshaped the way communities approach innovation and impact. Laura’s story is one of vision, legacy, and a deep commitment to strengthening Jewish life. As Board Chair-Elect of the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, Laura shares her experiences tackling some of the most pressing issues facing American Jewry today, including anti-Semitism, support for Israel, and building sustainable philanthropy for future generations. Together, Andrés and Laura explore the evolving role of Federations, the transformative power of community foundations, and what it means to build a thriving Jewish future. Laura’s passion and expertise shine throughout this inspiring conversation—take a listen!

    51 min

  3. NOV 13

    Andrés Spokoiny - Reimagining Jewish Communities, hosted by Abigail Pogrebin

    Episode 56 of What Gives? the Jewish Philanthropy Podcast from Jewish Funders Network, featuring JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés sits down with journalist and author Abigail Pogrebin, who takes over as host, placing Andrés in the hot seat to discuss his new book, Tradition and Transition: Jewish Communities and the Hyper Empowered Individual. Together, they dive into how Jewish communities can navigate and thrive in today’s evolving world, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the balance between tradition and modernity. From the existential dilemmas of the individual to the transformative role of Jewish institutions, this thought-provoking conversation will leave you reflecting on the challenges and opportunities for building stronger, more connected communities. Take a listen.

    45 min

  4. SEP 30

    Rachel Sumekh - Dispelling Myths and Addressing Jewish Poverty

    Episode 55 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Rachel Sumekh, Project Executive of TEN: Together Ending Need, a collaborative initiative of funders working to ensure that all Jews have access to basic needs. Rachel and Andrés speak about the critical issue of Jewish poverty. Rachel highlights the reality of Jewish poverty, dispels the myths surrounding it, and sheds light on how poverty impacts all sectors of the Jewish community. Rachel brings both data and heart to this important conversation, as we explore ways the Jewish philanthropic community can tackle these challenges.

    49 min

  5. SEP 18

    Zvika Krieger - Responsible Innovation

    Episode 54 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Zvika Krieger, a dynamic figure who straddles the worlds of technology and spirituality. Zvika was the first ever Director of Responsible Innovation at Facebook, now Meta, though he has had an eclectic career, ranging from journalism in the Middle East to policy work in Washington, DC, before pivoting to technology. We delve into his journey, exploring the intersection of tech innovation and Jewish spirituality. We discuss the impact of social media on society, the search for meaning in the digital age, and how traditional practices can coexist with modern technology. Zvika's insights provide a unique perspective on how we can navigate the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly changing world.

    52 min

  6. SEP 4

    Rabbi Sharon Brous – Love, Loss, and Building Sacred Communities

    Episode 53 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, Andrés speaks with Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder and senior rabbi IKAR, a vibrant Jewish community in Los Angeles known for its inclusive approach to Jewish life. Rabbi Brous delves into the themes of her new book, The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World, which explores love, loss, community, and connection. She and Andrés touch on the current crises impacting the Jewish world, and how her insights are particularly relevant in these challenging times. Rabbi Brous shares her profound thoughts on the importance of building sacred community bonds and addressing the pervasive loneliness in our society, drawing from both ancient texts and contemporary experiences.

    50 min

  7. AUG 21

    Joshua Foer - Innovating Jewish Education and Storytelling

    Episode 52 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny.  In this episode, Andrés speaks with Joshua Foer. Josh is the co-founder of Sefaria, an open-source digital library of Jewish texts. Recently, he launched Lehrhaus, a "Jewish Tavern" in Boston aimed at making Torah study accessible in a welcoming environment. Josh discusses his journey from science journalism to Jewish entrepreneurship, the impact of Sefaria on Jewish learning, and his latest venture, Leviathan, a production company focused on the Jewish storytelling missing in today’s popular culture. Take a listen to this conversation, offering a look into Josh's innovative approach to Jewish education and community building.

    51 min

  8. AUG 7

    Amy Spitalnick - Antisemitism, Democracy, and Coalition Building

    Episode 51 of What Gives? the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network. Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, joins JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny to explore the resurgence of antisemitism, the intersection of Jewish safety and democratic integrity, and the importance of building strong, inclusive coalitions. Amy shares insights from her extensive experience in policy and advocacy, highlighting the critical work needed to protect and strengthen our communities in these challenging times.

    56 min
See All (61)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The issues, stories, and people changing the world in philanthropy and the Jewish community. If you like "What Gives?" be sure to check out "Outside the Tzedakah Box" (https://honeycomb.org/podcast-outside-tzedakah-box/) a podcast on Jewish youth philanthropy from JFN's Honeycomb.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada