Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam

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Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman are two of the most dynamic, interesting, and thought-provoking Jewish leaders today. Two seasoned educators who love to talk, listen, laugh, challenge, and grow, Mijal and Noam are the Wondering Jews, leading us through thought-provoking discussions that are as serious as they are entertaining.Whether you're a seasoned scholar or just curious about Jewish culture, this show offers a refreshing perspective that's both enlightening and enjoyable. It's not just a podcast; it's a thoughtful conversation that invites everyone to wonder about the rich tapestry of Jewish ideas in the context of our daily lives. Brought...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Season 4 - Episode 42

Stars Of David: Jews at Carnegie Hall with Kathleen Sabogal

Jews have left an indelible mark on the fabric of America, impacting activism, music, and religion. One venue holds so many inspiring examples of these contributions: Carnegie Hall. For this episode celebrating the end of Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam joins Kathleen Sabogal (Director, Rose Archives and Museum) on-location at the famous venue. On the corner of 57th Street and 7th Avenue, great names like Leonard Bernstein, Rabbi Stephen Wise, and Isaac Stern advocated for education, women's suffrage, racial equality and more. Is there inspiration here for the next chapter of Jewish American history? The answer will be music...

Published: Jun 3, 2026Duration: 40m 45s

Season 4 - Episode 41

Matbucha And Mishpucha: Life As An Israeli-American Chef with Michael Solomonov

For years, the famous Philly chef Michael Solomonov has grappled with his American and Israeli identities. What can his journey teach us about American Jews and their relationship with the Jewish state? In this episode exploring Jewish American Heritage Month, Michael shares his remarkable family history, how his restaurants tell the Israeli story in America, and his take on ranch dressing. To learn more about Zahav--and the rest of Michael's restaurants--visit ⁠https://www.zahavrestaurant.com/cns-family⁠ This episode is sponsored by RootOne. Join thousands of North American Jewish teens for a life-changing experience in Israel! Find...

Published: May 27, 2026Duration: 37m 19s

Season 4 - Episode 40

Revisiting Chabad with Rabbi YY Jacobson

In the wake of our Denominations series, many of you wrote to us asking "what about Chabad?" As a leading resource for all Jews, it makes perfect sense to consider how Chabad fits into the denominational puzzle of America. We're off this week, but Noam kicks us off with a fresh greeting and a few words about Chabad before re-introducing our episode from last summer with Rabbi YY Jacobson. We're getting ready to respond to more of your letters about the denominations series (as well as some other recent episodes). If you'd like to have your question...

Published: May 20, 2026Duration: 34m 32s

Season 4 - Episode 39

What's So Funny About Antisemitism? With Raanan Hershberg

America has enjoyed a golden age of Jewish comedy: Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, and Amy Schumer are just some of the luminaries that have graced our stages and televisions. But with antisemitism on the rise and Israel becoming more divisive than ever, can Jewish comedians still thrive? For our second episode honoring Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam is in conversation with Raanan Hershberg, a brilliant comedian who tackles questions of identity and ideology in his latest special, Morbidly Jewish. With Noam, Raanan opens up about his childhood as a Conservative Jew in Kentucky, his concerns about antisemitism masquerading as...

Published: May 13, 2026Duration: 46m 0s

Season 4 - Episode 38

Is the Zabar's Story A Jewish Story? With David Zabar

Please fill out this short survey. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unpacked.bio/podsurvey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We want to hear from you! The story of Zabar's--a NYC foodie fixture--is bigger than bagels: it includes a horrifying pogrom, a narrow escape to America, and success in the face of countless setbacks. For Jewish American Heritage Month, Noam asks: what does does this story mean to American Jews, and America at large? In a rare interview, David Zabar, a senior executive and third-generation family member, tells us the incredible story of Louis and Lilly Zabar, how Zabar's sees itself in the American tapestry, and yes... his bagel ord...

Published: May 6, 2026Duration: 32m 47s

Season 4 - Episode 37

Is the Future Non-Denominational? With Rabbi Avi Killip

Do the words that once categorized Jews--reform, conservative, orthodox--still matter today? And if they don't... then what's next? To answer these questions and close out our series on denominations, Noam and Mijal speak with Rabbi Avi Killip, the executive vice president of Hadar. In this can't-miss conversation, Rabbi Killip makes the case for Hadar as a movement that is ready to meet the the challenges of contemporary Jewish life. Learn more about Hadar at https://www.hadar.org/ To hear Hadar's podcasts, including Ta Shma and Responsa Radio, check out https://www.hadar.org/torah-tefillah...

Published: Apr 29, 2026Duration: 35m 55s

Season 4 - Episode 36

Is Reform Judaism About Modernity Or Tradition? With Rabbi Rick Jacobs

Will Reform Judaism be defined by the past, or the future? Does it emphasize the Jewish community, or the community at large? Does it feature personal choice, or obligation? Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, joins Noam to explore these queries, and the meaningful tension they create. Plus: Reform Judaism's evolution on Zionism, and uplifting stories from congregations that were attacked in Mississippi and Michigan. Learn more about the URJ by visiting urj.org Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and...

Published: Apr 22, 2026Duration: 39m 31s

Season 4 - Episode 35

Will Conservative Judaism Survive? With Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman

What is Conservative Judaism? Why is its share of American Jews shrinking? Can you take a Waymo to Shabbat services? Here to explore these questions is a married rabbi team: Erez Sherman and Nicole Guzik, from Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Together with Mijal and Noam, they discuss the beautiful nuances of Conservative Judaism, and what its future might mean for all Jewish denominations. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. ...

Published: Apr 15, 2026Duration: 36m 55s

Season 4 - Episode 35

Why Does Judaism Have Denominations? With Zev Eleff

Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist... where do these religious practices come from? What do they even mean? Zev Eleff, the president of Gratz College, is here to lay out the fascinating origins of denominations, and how they intersect with Protestantism and American culture. Plus: Zev, Mijal, and Noam reflect on the rich tapestry of Orthodox Judaism, and what its future might be. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode is sponsored in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. ------------ ...

Published: Apr 7, 2026Duration: 38m 2s

Season 4 - Episode 33

Straight Outta Egypt with Michael Rapaport

For this special Passover episode, Mijal and Noam open their door to actor and comedian Michael Rapaport (Friends, Only Murders In The Building, The Traitors). If the conversation had only been about the holiday, dayenu. But there's plenty more on the seder plate, including that viral meal from The Traitors and Michael's campaign to become the next mayor of New York City. Careening between moments that are funny, irreverent, wistful, and poignant, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram...

Published: Mar 31, 2026Duration: 35m 24s

Season 4 - Episode 32

The Greatest Rabbi Of All Time? With Jenna Weissman Joselit

In this episode, Noam and Mijal begin their multi-part exploration of Jewish denominations in America with one of the most influential rabbis in history: Mordecai Kaplan. Kaplan is known as a trailblazer who emphasized community over kashrut and gave the very first bat mitzvah to his own daughter. But what was Kaplan's inner life? The conversation becomes a joyous family affair as Noam welcomes in his aunt, Jenna Weissman Joselit, author of the new book Mordecai M. Kaplan: Restless Soul. This episode is sponsored by Jewish Lives, a prize-winning series of biographies from Yale...

Published: Mar 25, 2026Duration: 33m 4s

Season 4 - Episode 31

What The Headlines Mean For American Jews with Bret Stephens

An anti-semitic attack in Michigan. War with Iran. The news cycle is spinning so rapidly that it’s hard to make sense of it all. This week, Noam and Mijal turn to Bret Stephens (New York Times Opinion columnist and Editor-In-Chief of Sapir) to help them understand the big picture. How should Jews—and Americans in general—be responding to conflicts at home and abroad? Plus: Bret discusses his latest article for Sapir, and how academia can set the record straight on Israel. Read Bret’s latest article in Sapir: https://sapirjournal.org/aspiration-ii/2026/israel-s...

Published: Mar 18, 2026Duration: 30m 38s

Season 4 - Episode 30

The Truth About Antizionism with Adam Louis-Klein

Perhaps the only thing more contentious than the definition of antisemitism is the definition of antizionism; when is criticism of Israel legitimate, and when is it hateful? In this episode, Noam and Mijal look to Adam Louis-Klein for answers. In the aftermath of October 7th, Adam committed himself to defining and fighting antizionism, using the tools of academia. But is it working? Adam Louis-Klein is a writer, philosopher, and anthropologist completing a PhD in Anthropology at McGill University. He is a Postgraduate Fellow at the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and founder of...

Published: Mar 11, 2026Duration: 38m 45s

Season 4 - Episode 29

The Rhymes of History with Professor Jonathan Sarna

Note: this episode was recorded before the latest developments in Iran. What can incidents of antisemitism from America's past tell us about its future? For Mijal and Noam, there's no one better to answer this question than Professor Emeritus Jonathan Sarna. Professor Sarna--a legendary scholar and author of the essential book American Judaism--takes our hosts on a tour of the late 19th century, when Jews found themselves excluded from a variety of spaces. Together with Mijal and Noam, he finds hope in the Jewish community's response--both then and now. This episode is...

Published: Mar 4, 2026Duration: 28m 20s

Season 4 - Episode 28

Dispatch From Irangeles with Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh

War with Iran is unfolding days before Purim, so Mijal and Noam step back from the news cycle to process this moment emotionally and theologically. Joining them is Tarlan Rabizadeh, a rabbi, activist, and Persian Jew who is deeply imbedded in LA's "Irangeles" community. With wit, passion, and humor, rabbi Tarlan breaks down what the media has been missing, and the sights and sounds that are filling her with hope. Follow Rabbi Tarlan on Instagram: instagram.com/rabbitarlan/ Learn more about Rabbi Tarlan on her website: https://www.rabbitarlan.com/about <...

Published: Mar 2, 2026Duration: 25m 44s

Season 4 - Episode 27

Clarity to Confusion: Reflections on Purim With Justin Pines & JBS

Joy and pain. Clarity and confusion. Each year--but especially now--the holiday of Purim inspires a wide array of emotions. In this special crossover episode of Wondering Jews and Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, Mijal reflects on what Purim teaches us about the fight against anti-semitism. How can we interpret the actions of legendary figures like Mordecai and Esther, and what inspiration do they have to offer us in today's uncertain world? This episode was produced in collaboration with the Jewish Broadcasting Service. To learn more about JBS and Jewish Insights with Justin Pines, visit...

Published: Feb 25, 2026Duration: 1h 4m 2s

Season 4 - Episode 26

God, the Jews, and Israel: Three Thousand Years of History

In this episode, Mijal invites Noam to talk about his most ambitious project yet: a 5-part epic series on the history of Zionism, from biblical beginnings to modern Israel. Years in the making and deeply personal to Noam, this sweeping series on Unpacking Israeli History traces the 3,000-year story of Zionism. Mijal and Noam's conversation touches on collective memory, the cyclical fracturing of the Jewish people, and how an ancient dream finally materialized as a sovereign state. This episode is in memory of Leo M. Bernstein. Get in touch...

Published: Feb 18, 2026Duration: 30m 12s

Season 4 - Episode 25

Soviet Anti-Zionism and the Refuseniks with Izabella Tabarovsky

What can Russian Anti-Zionism of 1967 teach us about Anti-Semitism today? This week, Noam and Mijal speak with Izabella Tabarovsky, author of the new book Be A Refusenik: A Jewish Student's Survival Guide. With academic expertise and personal stories, Izabella paints a vivid picture of the Refusenik movement and what lessons it can offer to Jews facing discrimination on college campuses. Order Izabella's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Refusenik-Jewish-Students-Survival/dp/B0G2GKWKCJ Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and s...

Published: Feb 11, 2026Duration: 34m 35s

Season 4 - Episode 24

Understanding the ICE Surge with Kate Davenport

At a moment when many Americans are either shouting past each other or staying silent, Noam and Mijal pause to reflect on what this moment demands of them as Jews, as leaders, and as citizens. In this episode, Mijal and Noam speak with Minnesota resident and Aspen Civil Society Fellow Kate Moore Davenport. The conversation explores the surge of ICE agents in Minneapolis and why it has ignited a debate over due process, safety, and federal power. Afterwards, Noam and Mijal reflect on polarization, competing narratives, and how Jewish ethical frameworks can help guide conversation without surrendering nuance. <p...

Published: Feb 4, 2026Duration: 42m 53s

Season 4 - Episode 23

Inside the American Right: Israel, Antisemitism, and Trump’s GOP Coalition

What’s actually happening inside the American right—and how much of it is real versus online noise? Mijal and Noam talk with Jesse Arm of the Manhattan Institute about the GOP coalition after Trump, the new fault lines on Israel, and why conspiracy culture is becoming a political force. Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. Follow @wonderingjews on Instagram, and watch and subscribe on ⁠YouTube⁠. ------------ This podcast is brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand. Subscribe to the Unpacked newsletter: ⁠https://unpacked.bio/22f7b4⁠<...

Published: Jan 28, 2026Duration: 52m 25s