Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
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The Battle Over Jewish Storytelling: A Hanukkah Conversation with Dr. Tanya White (Part 2)
10 december 2025 · 47 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
Book for the Jerusalem Marathon "Return, Reconnect, and Run for Resilience" tour: sababatravel.com
In Part 2 of The Battle Over Jewish Storytelling: A Hanukkah Conversation, Mijal sits down with Dr. Tanya White to explore the deeper meaning of Hanukkah—beyond the oil. Together they unpack the three major narratives of the holiday: the historical Maccabee revolt, the rabbinic miracle of the oil, and the Al Hanisim prayer that weaves together human courage and divine presence. Speaking from Israel after October 7, Tanya reflects on a new “renaissance of the spirit” and what Hanukkah can teach us today about Jewish resilience, covenant, and hope. This timely, inspiring conversation reframes Hanukkah as a story of agency, faith, and the light we create together.
Here is a link to Dr. Tanya White website, where you can learn more about her work and find links to her podcast.
https://www.tanyawhite.org/
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Note: Noam Weissman will be back next week's episode .
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
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The Battle Over Jewish Identity: A Hanukkah Conversation with Sarah Hurwitz (Part 1)
3 december 2025 · 42 min
In preparation for Hanukkah, Mijal sits down with her friend and bestselling author Sarah Hurwitz to rediscover the holiday’s deeper meaning. Together they explore the grown-up story of the Maccabees, the complexities of assimilation and resistance, and how Hanukkah’s themes echo the identity struggles facing Jews today. Drawing on insights from Here All Along and As a Jew, Sarah reflects on courage, community, and what it means to live proudly and unapologetically Jewish in 2025. Lees meer
Here is Sarah Hurwitz's website with links to her books and bio:
https://www.sarahhurwitz.net/
Here All Along
As a Jew
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Note: Noam was traveling at the time of this recording.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
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What Is Jewish Law, Really
26 november 2025 · 42 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
Mijal and Noam break down Jewish law (halacha) as a living legal system—tracing its path from Sinai to the Mishnah, Talmud, Maimonides, and the Shulchan Aruch. They explore how halacha is interpreted, how Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions differ, the role of custom (minhag), and why debates across denominations shape Jewish life today. They share personal stories that reveal just how much they love Jewish law and how fun, engaging, and meaningful it can be.
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
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What it Means to be Jewish: A Conversation with Jonah Platt
19 november 2025 · 53 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
Noam sits down in LA with actor, Jewish advocate and fellow podcast host, Jonah Platt, to talk about identity, Israel, Hollywood, and why October 7 turned him into what he calls an “October 8th activist.” Jonah reflects on his Jewish upbringing, the rising fear around Jewish identity, and why he now proudly wears a Magen David. They dig into what Hollywood gets right (and wrong) about Jewish stories, why so few celebrities speak up for Israel, and how to navigate tough conversations using Jonah’s “Five C’s.”
Jonah Platt is the host of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
This episode was recorded in Los Angeles prior to the Unpacking Israeli History Roadshow. Mijal will be back next week.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
Unpacking Israeli History
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Who Are Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the United States? With Dr. Mijal Bitton
12 november 2025 · 36 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
Mijal and Noam dive into the first national study of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the United States. The study was directed by Dr. Mijal Bitton at NYU in partnership with JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa). Mijal and Noam discuss a missing chapter in the American Jewish story. Through new research and personal reflection, they explore what Sephardic and Mizrahi experiences and communities reveal about Jewish identity, belonging and traditions.
Here is a link to Mijal Bitton's study: Sephardic & Mizrahi Jews in the United States: Identities, Experiences, and Communities conducted at NYU .
https://sephardicstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/5.-Demographic-study_Understanding-Sephardic-and-Mizrahi-Identity.pdf
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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How We Endure: A Conversation for Uncertain Times
5 november 2025 · 37 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
Mijal and Noam step back from politics to ask bigger questions: how should Jews meet a world where hostages come home under a ceasefire, Nick Fuentes inches into mainstream discourse, and NYC debates Mamdani? Fresh off a trip to Israel, Mijal shares what resilience looks like on the ground in a culture that rejects self-pity. Mijal and Noam discuss a strategy to fight antisemitism on both sides and explore why “moral clarity” matters.
Note: This episode was recorded before New York's Mayoral election.
Here is a link to Mijal Bitton's Substack: Can We Still Believe in the World?
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Eli Sharabi: Surviving Hamas and Choosing Life (Special Crossover)
29 oktober 2025 · 30 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
In this special crossover episode, host Noam Weissman shares one of the most powerful conversations he’s ever had—an interview with Eli Sharabi, who survived 491 days as a Hamas hostage in Gaza. Noam talks to Eli about his new memoir, Hostage, where he recounts life 50 meters underground: the starvation, humiliation, and small acts of spiritual defiance that kept him alive. Eli's wife and two daughters were murdered on October 7th and his brother was murdered in Hamas Captivity. Together, they confront the hardest questions of morality and meaning, including: And how does one rebuild life after unbearable loss? What does it mean to retain faith while facing evil?
Hostage, by Eli Sharabi
Note: This episode first aired on Unpacking Israeli History. Mijal Bitton will be back next week.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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How It Feels to be Israeli Right Now: A Conversation with Sarah Tuttle-Singer (Special Crossover)
22 oktober 2025 · 45 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
In this special crossover episode, Noam Weissman explores what it feels like to live through this moment in Israel. Mijal is away so Noam sits down with writer and Times of Israel editor Sarah Tuttle-Singer, author of Jerusalem Drawn and Quartered, for a raw, empathetic conversation about daily life in Jerusalem after October 7. They talk about euphoria and grief around hostage returns, the “toxic resilience” many Israelis carry, and the small acts of kindness that still break through.
Here are links to Sarah Tuttle-Singer's work.
BREAKING: Deep Concern Grows for Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo, and Roger Waters
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/sarah-tuttle-singer/
Jerusalem, Drawn and Quartered: One Woman's Year in the Heart of the Christian, Muslim, Armenian, and Jewish Quarters of Old Jerusalem
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Sukkot: Finding Joy in Uncertain Times (Re-release)
6 oktober 2025 · 24 min
As Sukkot begins, Mijal and Noam revisit a favorite episode about what it really means to live with fragility and joy. From stepping into temporary huts to Rabbi Nachman’s teaching to “always be in a state of joy,” they explore how Judaism reframes happiness—not as comfort or control, but as presence, purpose, and connection. Lees meer
Mijal Bitton: Committed by Mijal Bitton | Substack
Martin Seligman: Pursuit of Happiness
Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (Harvard study on happiness): The Good Life
Noam Weissman's Jewish Journal article about Sukkot: Living in the Joy of Sukkot
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Shabbat and the Radical Idea of Rest
29 september 2025 · 34 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
What is Shabbat -- really? Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman go beyond the long list of “don’ts” to uncover the deeper joy and purpose of the Jewish Sabbath. Grounded in Genesis, Exodus, Heschel, and Rav Soloveitchik, they explore Shabbat as a 25-hour “palace in time”—a weekly digital detox, spiritual reset, and celebration of meaning.
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Sabbath
Joseph B. Soloveitchik :The Lonely Man of Faith
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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The Art of Forgiveness with Professor Moshe Halbertal
25 september 2025 · 51 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
In this special episode of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with Prof. Moshe Halbertal to reflect on the High Holidays. Together they explore why the “Days of Awe” feel both intense and joyful, and how teshuva, tefillah, and tzedakah can restore a sense of agency and open the future.
https://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile.overview&personid=20653
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Jewish Lifecyle 101
17 september 2025 · 49 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
Why do Jews mark life’s biggest moments with rituals—and what happens when those rituals clash with modern life? In this rich, personal, and sometimes hilarious episode, Mijal and Noam take you on a journey through the Jewish life cycle—from brit milah to bar mitzvah, weddings to funerals. They explore how different communities (Syrian, Moroccan, Ashkenazi, Persian, and more!) celebrate, grieve, and navigate transitions. Along the way, they ask tough questions about tradition, cost, creativity, and meaning—and how showing up for others may be the most Jewish act of all.
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Why Do Jews Pray Like That?
10 september 2025 · 46 min
BOOK NOW FOR UNPACKING ISRAELI HISTORY LIVE IN LA - Nov 12 at Sinai Temple with special guest Ronen Bergman. Last stop for 2025! Use the coupon code UIH20 to get a discount on your tickets: https://unpacked.bio/UIHLA25 Lees meer
Prayer can feel abstract—so Mijal and Noam get practical. In the second part of our In the Beginning mini-series on foundational Jewish topics, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman explore what Jewish prayer (tefillah/davening) is. They look at why we pray, who we pray to, and the words we use. From fixed liturgy to personal expression, this episode offers a clear, text-based guide to deepen Jewish prayer practice.
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Here is a link to: This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation, by Alan Lew and Norman Fischer
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
What even is Judaism?
3 september 2025 · 37 min
Help us take Unpacked podcasts further by supporting our crowdfunding campaign: https://unpacked.bio/podgift2025 Lees meer
Is it a religion, a people, a culture, a nation - or something that refuses tidy boxes? In the first episode of our In The Beginning mini-series where we'll be covering foundational Jewish topics, Mijal and Noam trace how Jews have defined themselves or been defined across centuries and why it matters now more than ever; impacting belief, peoplehood, culture, land, shared destiny and so much more.
We’re proud to be collaborating with Sefaria and The Simchat Torah Challenge, on this episode along with all the other episodes of our “In the Beginning” mini-series. Learn more about these two incredible organizations here:
https://simchattorahchallenge.org/
https://www.sefaria.org/texts
Here are links to additional resources mentioned in the episode.
Leora Batnitzky's How Judaism Became a Religion: An Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought
The Tanya
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Holocaust Education is Broken. Dara Horn knows how to fix it (Re-release)
27 augustus 2025 · 45 min
Mijal and Noam sit down with award-winning author Dara Horn (People Love Dead Jews) to tackle one of the most urgent questions today: What’s wrong with Holocaust education—and how do we fix it? Together, they explore why most American students meet Jews only as Holocaust victims, how teaching the Shoah without Jewish civilization erases the very culture the Nazis tried to destroy, and why that erasure actually fuels antisemitism rather than combating it. From Holocaust denial to October 7th, from the “big lie” at the heart of Jew-hatred to the paradox of Jewish sovereignty, Dara doesn’t hold back. This episode, originally released on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a call to rethink how we talk about Jews, Judaism, and antisemitism. Lees meer
Click here to read more about Dara Horn and her work, including 7 books.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
Unpacking Antisemitism with Haviv Rettig Gur (Re-release)
20 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 8 min
In this re-release of one of our most popular episodes, Noam Weissman and Mijal Bitton speak with journalist Haviv Rettig Gur about the history, ideology, and persistence of antisemitism. They trace its roots from early Christian and Islamic theology through Marxist and nationalist movements, examine how it has evolved in the Arab world and on American campuses, and discuss why the current wave feels unprecedented to many American Jews. Lees meer
(Note: this episode was recorded before Mamdani's victory in the Democratic primary of the NYC mayoral election.)
Here is Mijal's article in the Free Press: Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Be Different.
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
Rabbi David Wolpe on How to Keep Jewish Unity Alive (Re-release)
13 augustus 2025 · 42 min
In a year of division, can Jewish unity still hold? In this special re-release of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton sits down with Rabbi David Wolpe for a deep, candid conversation about Jewish solidarity, peoplehood, and the meaning of freedom. They explore why the Seder remains Judaism’s most beloved ritual, how to handle political disagreements at the table, and why Jewish identity is rooted in community as much as in faith. Lees meer
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
If You Love Israel, Why Don’t You Live There? (Re-release)
6 augustus 2025 · 47 min
In one of the most talked-about episodes of Wondering Jews, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman dive into the emotional and complicated questions facing Jews today: If you love Israel… why don’t you live there? Listen again or for the first time to Mijal and Noam open up about the cognitive dissonance of loving Israel while living in the Diaspora. Along the way, they reflect on the insights of Jewish giants and share candid stories of love, guilt, dreams—and bagels. Lees meer
Here are some of the sources referenced in the episode:
Unpacking Israeli History: Does Israel Represent All Jews?: The Great Debate
Blaustein/Ben Gurion exchange
Lubavitcher Rebbe’s response to Ariel Sharon
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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You Think You Know Chabad? Think Again — With Rabbi YY Jacobson
30 juli 2025 · 35 min
What does Chabad have to offer a fractured world in 2025? Mijal Bitton and and Noam Weissman are joined by renowned Chabad scholar and speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson to explore the enduring power of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s legacy. Together, they unpack Chabad’s worldview, its nuanced relationship with Zionism, and its bold answer to antisemitism. Rabbi Jacobson shares how every Jew—religious or secular—can become an agent of healing, love, and redemptive consciousness. Lees meer
Click here to read Rabbi Jacobson's bio.
Click here for Rabbi Jacobson's website.
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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The Mamdani Moment: NYC Jews Confront a Political Shift
23 juli 2025 · 25 min
What does it mean to be Jewish in NYC after Zohran Mamdani’s surprising victory in New York's Democratic mayoral primary? In this candid and passionate conversation, Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman reflect on fear, populism, and the strategic mistakes and opportunities facing the Jewish community. From public safety to coalition-building, they explore why this moment matters far beyond New York — and what must happen next. Lees meer
Note: This episode was recorded on July 2nd. Subsequent developments are not discussed in this episode.
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
Building Jewish Community in an Age of Cancel Culture with Zibby Owens
16 juli 2025 · 36 min
Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman sit down with award-winning author and media entrepreneur Zibby Owens to explore what it means to publicly embrace Jewish identity after October 7th. Zibby shares her journey from a largely secular literary figure to an outspoken Jewish advocate. They discuss cancel culture, Zionism, the challenges Jewish authors face in publishing, and the power of Jewish moms stepping up. Lees meer
Note: This conversation was recorded before the Iran-Israel War in June, 2025.
On Being Jewish Now, Edited by Zibby Owens.
Zibby Media
Link to the documentary: October 8
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
When Music Turns Into a Weapon
9 juli 2025 · 33 min
What happens when the artists we love express hatred toward Israel—or Jews ? This week, hosts Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman confront this issue, from Bob Vylan leading chants of “Death to the IDF” at Glastonbury to Dave Matthews Band calling for a Gaza ceasefire. Listen to this timely conversation on the emotional and moral dilemmas of supporting artists whose politics feel threatening. Lees meer
The Free Press: Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Glastonbury—and the Purge of the Jews
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, an OpenDor Media brand.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
Unpacking Antisemitism with Haviv Rettig Gur
2 juli 2025 · 1 uur 7 min
(Note: this episode was recorded before Mamdani's victory in the Democratic primary of the NYC mayoral election.) Lees meer
Journalist and historian Haviv Rettig Gur returns to Wondering Jews to explore why antisemitism persists across centuries —from medieval Europe to modern American campuses. Together, Haviv, Mijal and Noam unpack how conspiracy theories, religion, and political ideologies fuel hatred of Jews, why Zionism emerged as a response, and what American Jews can learn from history.
Wondering Jews is hosted by Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman.
Here is Mijal's article in the Free Press: Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Be Different.
Please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews.
Check us out on Youtube.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Raw Reflections on 12-Days That Changed Everything
25 juni 2025 · 11 min
Mijal and Noam break down the emotional and spiritual aftermath of the last twelve days of war that mainstream media is missing. Moving beyond geopolitical analysis, they explore what it means to hold space for empathy—toward both Israelis carrying the trauma of October 7th and Iranians suffering under authoritarian rule. Plus, real-time updates from their Israeli team dodging missile warnings while trying to work.What sparked the most reflection for you during these 12 days? Lees meer
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews and check us out on Youtube:
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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From Spies to Zionists: What the Torah Teaches us about Courage Today
20 juni 2025 · 30 min
Noam and Mijal pause the punditry and explore how ancient biblical wisdom offers profound guidance for navigating the uncertainty, fear, and complexity of today’s Jewish moment. In this special, bonus episode, they dive into the weekly Torah portion of Shlach—the story of the scouts in the Book of Numbers to help think through the chaos facing Israel today. Lees meer
Michael Walzer's Exodus and Revolution
Here is a link to Mijal's Substack: https://mijal.substack.com/
Yaakov Katz's post on his journey back to Israel: https://x.com/yaakovkatz/status/1934571174060532198
Please get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
On the Ground in Tel Aviv during a Historic Week with Rabbi Joe Schwartz
18 juni 2025 · 50 min
Mijal and Noam sit down with Rabbi Joe Schwartz in Tel Aviv as Israel faces an unprecedented war with Iran. With missiles falling and sirens wailing, Joe shares what life looks like on the ground—from parenting under fire to the emotional toll of global Jewish silence and solidarity. Together, they explore the theological, political, and deeply personal stakes of this moment, discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s surprising shift in tone, and reflect on what this war means for the collective Jewish future. It’s a raw and intimate conversation about fear, resilience, peoplehood, and the existential power of Zionism. Lees meer
Click here to watch the video of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemning cheers over the deadly strike in Tamra (in Hebrew)
Here is a translation of Netanyahu's statement.
Here are a few links to donate now, including recommendations from OpenDor Media's staff:
https://oujlic.org/good-for-the-world/donate/
https://israelrescue.org/donate/
thechesedfund.com
https://www.gobidud.com
Please get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Facing an Existential Threat: Why Israel Struck Iran Now with Yaakov Katz
13 juni 2025 · 36 min
In this urgent crossover episode of Wondering Jews and Unpacking Israeli History, Noam Weissman is joined by military analyst and author Yaakov Katz to break down Israel’s unprecedented airstrike on Iranian nuclear and military targets. As events unfold in real time, they explore the historical roots, strategic timing, and existential stakes of the operation—drawing connections to Israel’s past strikes in Iraq (1981) and Syria (2007). From Mossad tactics to regional geopolitics, this episode offers crucial insight into a defining moment for Israel, Zionism, and Jewish survival. Lees meer
Update: War with Iran is ongoing, including a wave of ballistic missiles launched at Israel following this recording.
Click here to read more about Yaakov Katz and his work.
Yaakov Katz is the author of books, including: Shadow Strike, Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power and While Israel Slept with Amir Bohbot.
Correction: Ayatollah Khomeini was the revolutionary founder of Iran.
Please get in touch at WonderingJews@unpacked.media. And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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War, Grief, and Zionism: A Conversation with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter
11 juni 2025 · 52 min
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Noam and Mijal are joined by Dr. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. and grieving father of Major Moshe Yedidya Leiter, z”l, who fell in Gaza after October 7th. Together, they confront hard questions: What does it mean to lead while grieving? How does one reconcile faith and sacrifice in wartime? Together, they explore the importance of dissent and ask when does criticism cross a line? Lees meer
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
Zionism and Anti-Zionism: Defining Our Terms (Re-release)
4 juni 2025 · 37 min
Mijal and Noam revisit their conversation about Zionism, anti-Zionism, and Jewish identity—framed by the recent murder of two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington D.C. Together, they debate whether anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic, whether all criticism of Israel qualifies as anti-Zionist, and how to define terms like “Zionism” in different contexts—academically, personally, or communally. Lees meer
Herzl's Der Judenstaat
Please Note: The updated introduction to this episode was recorded before the antisemitic attack at the hostage rally in Boulder, Colorado.
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
BONUS Shavuot Learning: Ruth's Quiet Revolution with Rabbi Joe Wolfson and Mijal
29 mei 2025 · 56 min
Mijal was so inspired by her conversation with Noam on the meaning of Shavuot that she decided to dive even deeper in this bonus episode on the Book of Ruth (Megillat Rut). Mijal is is joined by her original podcast partner, Rabbi Joe Wolfson. Together, they explore the Book of Ruth, its profound relevance for today’s Jewish world—especially in the wake of October 7 and ongoing challenges in Israel and the diaspora. This conversation is a perfect way to kick off Shavuot, a holiday deeply connected to learning and the study of Torah. Lees meer
Here's a link to Mijal and Rabbi Joe's podcast, Downtown Drash:
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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More than Just Cheesecake: Why Shavuot Is the Most Underrated Holiday
28 mei 2025 · 29 min
Mijal and Noam explore why Shavuot often feels like the “forgotten” Jewish holiday. Is it just about cheesecake, or is there a deeper reason it remains overlooked? They dive into the biblical origins of Shavuot, its transformation from an agricultural celebration to the festival of receiving the Torah, and the profound (and countercultural) themes of divine commandment and covenant. Whether you’ve celebrated Shavuot for decades or are learning about it for the first time, this episode invites you to reframe the holiday as a powerful moment of sacred obligation and spiritual awakening. Lees meer
Here are the links to the books and podcasts discussed in the episode:
Believe: Why Everyone Should be Religious by Ross Ross Douthat
Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity by Abraham Joshua Heschel
Ruth Ch 3 - At the Threshing Floor Alex Israel, The Tanakh Podcast
Reading Ruth by Leon Kass
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
A Special Message from Mijal and Noam About the Tragic D.C. Shooting
22 mei 2025 · 11 min
In the wake of the antisemitic attack that took the lives of Yaron Lashinsky and Sarah Milgram outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., Noam and Mijal reflect on their heartbreak. They discuss grief, the danger of misplaced blame, and what this moment means for Jews—and allies—around the world. From interfaith solidarity to the language of anti-Zionism, this is a conversation about mourning, clarity, and resolve. Lees meer
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
Negotiating Empires: What Can the Israeli Government Learn from Tanach? Rabbi Alex Israel
21 mei 2025 · 1 uur 2 min
Mijal sits down with Rabbi Alex Israel—beloved Tanakh educator, podcaster, and Israeli thought leader—for a sweeping conversation that bridges biblical history with today's geopolitical challenges. Together, Mijal and Rav Alex explore timeless prophetic insights, the dangers of political power, and the enduring call for moral leadership and national unity. If you've ever wondered how ancient Jewish texts might help us make sense of today's dizzying headlines, this episode is for you. Lees meer
Click here for Rav Alex Israel's website, where you can register for a weekly parasha newsletter.
Here is a link to Rabbi Israel's Tanakh Podcast.
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
Reconsidering Lag Ba'Omer with Yael Dworkin– A Holiday of Mysticism, Love, and Friendship
15 mei 2025 · 44 min
What’s with the bonfires, bows and arrows, and mystical vibes of Lag Ba’Omer? In this episode, Noam sits down with Yael Dworkin, a Judaic studies teacher in Jerusalem, to uncover the spiritual depths of one of Judaism’s most mysterious holidays. Together, they explore the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the meaning of the Zohar, and why today’s generation is craving deeper, more soulful expressions of Jewish life. Whether you grew up with Lag Ba'Omer or are just Jewish-curious, this is the Lag Ba’Omer episode you never knew you needed. Lees meer
You can discover more about Yael and her yeshiva at ysstorah.org.
And please follow Wondering Jews on Instagram!
instagram.com/wonderingjews
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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A Message for our Listeners
14 mei 2025 · 1 min
Hey everybody, this is Michael, the new producer for Wondering Jews. There's no new episode today, but tomorrow, we have a brand new one with Noam and a very special guest discussing the upcoming holiday of Lag Ba Omer. So please stay tuned and check your feed. Thanks for your patience. Lees meer
Please check out our brand new Instagram at Wandering Jews. Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
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Ask Us Anything: Zionism, Israel, and the Books We Love
7 mei 2025 · 27 min
Mijal and Noam have asked you to get in touch. This week, they are answering some of your questions, straight from their inbox. From unpacking the layered differences between Zionism, political Zionism, and religious Zionism, to reflecting on how American Jews can honestly and constructively talk to their kids about Israel’s complexities, this episode brings nuance, humor, and intellectual clarity to some of the most pressing issues in Jewish life today. Lees meer
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold
-
BONUS: What the Heck Is the World Zionist Congress and Why Am I Being Asked To Vote? With WZC President Tova Dorfman
2 mei 2025 · 37 min
Ever wondered how Diaspora Jews help decide the fate of a $1 billion fund in Israel? Join Noam Weissman and special guest Tova Dorfman, President of the World Zionist Organization, for a fast-paced guide to the World Zionist Congress elections—who’s on the ballot, what’s at stake, and why every Jewish voter needs to make their voice heard by May 4th. Lees meer
Link to Vote: https://azm.castiron.votem.net/election/037548cb-4cbb-4a94-aa9a-8aef017d4ddf
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Feeling Hopeful This Yom Haatzmaut with Haviv Rettig Gur
1 mei 2025 · 50 min
Celebrate Israel’s 77th birthday, as Mijal Bitton and Noam Weissman welcome Times of Israel political correspondent Haviv Rettig Gur for a candid Yom Ha’atzmaut conversation. In this episode, recorded at the close of Yom HaZikaron and on the eve of Independence Day amidst national wildfires and an ongoing conflict, we unpack: Lees meer
What it feels like to honor 59 hostages still held in Gaza while preparing to rejoice
How family rituals and neighborhood gatherings keep hope alive, even when the lights go out
Why shared sacrifice can unite a deeply divided society
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance grief and gratitude—how to celebrate under the shadow of war—this is the episode for you. Tune in for a moving, insightful journey into resilience, solidarity, and the true spirit of Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Subscribe and join our community of Wondering Jews as we ask big questions and explore Jewish life together!
And follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/wonderingjews
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Holocaust Education is Broken. Dara Horn Knows How We Can Fix It
23 april 2025 · 45 min
In this Yom HaShoah special, Mijal and Noam sit down with Dara Horn, acclaimed author of People Love Dead Jews, to discuss Holocaust education and why it matters more than ever. Dara explores the rise in Holocaust denial, antisemitism post-October 7th, and how Jewish sovereignty challenges popular narratives. They explore why many Holocaust education programs erase Jewish civilization and present Jews solely as passive victims—and how that plays into broader societal discomfort with Jewish power. Dara also shares how her provocative book title came to be, and why understanding Jewish identity is essential to understanding antisemitism. Lees meer
Click here to read more about Dara Horn and her work, including 7 books.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
Special Crossover: The Star of David (Jewish History Nerds)
16 april 2025 · 37 min
This week, Wondering Jews is sharing an episode from another great podcast produced by Unpacked: Jewish History Nerds. We hope you'll listen to the premier of season 4: The Star of David-The A Symbol That Means Everything—and Nothing. Hosts Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore the history of the Star of David, also known as the Magen David or hexagram. What does the Star of David really mean—and how did it become the symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity? From decorative motif to mystical symbol, from Jewish pride to Nazi persecution, this iconic six-pointed star carries a complex, and at times contradictory, legacy and story. Lees meer
If you like Wondering Jews, then please give Jewish History Nerds a listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you'll never miss an episode.
Click here to subscribe on Apple Podcasts.
Click here to subscribe on Spotify.Click here for a recap of the information discussed in the episode.
Click here to watch Unpacked's YouTube video "The Surprising History of the Star of David."Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
A Passover Conversation with Rabbi Wolpe: Jewish Solidarity & Survival In a Difficult Year
9 april 2025 · 41 min
In this special Passover episode, Mijal is joined by Rabbi David Wolpe to explore why Pesach continues to resonate so deeply with Jews around the world in 2025. They unpack timeless and timely themes: What makes the Passover seder the most observed Jewish ritual? Can a story be meaningful even if it’s not 100% historical? How do we talk about Israel, Zionism, and Jewish solidarity around the seder table post-October 7? Rabbi Wolpe shares personal memories, powerful insights on kitniyot, peoplehood, and why he still sees the seder as a miraculous act of Jewish hope. They also dive into how to engage young kids, honor hostages in Gaza, and make space at the table for honest disagreement — all while staying grounded in empathy and Jewish values. Lees meer
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
Why I’m Not a Jew of Color: Mijal Bitton Unpacks Her Controversial Essay
2 april 2025 · 39 min
Mijal and Noam take a deep dive into race, identity, and what it means to be a Jew of color in the United States today. The episode centers on Mijal Bitton's deeply personal essay, "Why I Am Not a Jew of Color," published in Sapir Journal. Mijal opens up about her background as a non-white Sephardic Jew from Argentina and Syria, and why she resists the label “Jew of Color.” Together, she and Noam unpack the complexity of racial discourse in the Jewish community. Mijal and Noam encourage a nuanced approach to the conversation about race and Jewish identity that includes depth, honesty and empathy. Lees meer
Click here to read Mijal Bitton's article, Why I Am Not a Jew of Color.
Click here for The Haggadah of Freedom by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Click here for The Baderech Haggadah by Rabbi Judah Mischel.Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
Faith Without Halacha? Jewish Practice in the Modern World
26 maart 2025 · 32 min
What does it mean to be a person of faith in Judaism, especially if you're not fully observant of Jewish law? Mijal and Noam tackle the question: Does spirituality require halacha (Jewish law)? From the idea of halacha as an evolving moral system, to the belief that it's a divine command, Mijal and Noam challenge assumptions about faith, practice, obligation, and freedom.They also explore the role of ritual and intellectual approach of a wide range of rabbis and thinkers. Lees meer
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
What We’ve Lost In Modernity: A Conversation with Sarah Hurwitz on Faith
19 maart 2025 · 48 min
In the latest episode in the miniseries, “Faith on Faith,” Mijal Bitton sits down with special guest, speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz, to explore the many layers of Jewish faith, identity, and text-based tradition. Sarah, a former White House speechwriter and author of Here All Along, shares insights from her journey from political speechwriting to passionate advocate for Jewish learning and spiritual depth. In their conversation, Mijal and Sarah explore: what does it mean to have faith as a Jew? Is it belief in God, or is it faith in a countercultural, resilient civilization with thousands of years of wisdom? Sarah reveals what she believes we’ve lost in modernity—and what we can reclaim. From the power of study as spiritual practice, to the impact of assimilation, antisemitism, and internalized narratives, this episode is a must-listen for anyone rethinking their Jewish identity in today’s complex world. Lees meer
Click here for Sarah Hurwitz's bio and the link to Here All Along.
Click here to pre-order Sarah Hurwitz's latest book As a JewCo-host Noam Weissman will be back in two weeks. In the meantime, get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
Where Was God?: Purim and Post-Holocaust Theology with Tanya White
12 maart 2025 · 46 min
This week, host Mijal Bitton kicks off a new mini-series, “Faith on Faith,” by diving deep into Jewish theology, post-Holocaust faith, and the story of Purim with renowned educator and theologian Dr. Tanya White. Together, they explore profound questions: What does it mean to believe when God seems hidden? How do we make sense of divine absence in the face of suffering, from the Holocaust to today’s crises? And what lessons can Purim—often seen as a lighthearted holiday—teach us about faith, agency, and moral courage? Drawing on Rabbi Yitz Greenberg’s “dialectical faith”, Tanya shares her personal and academic journey into post-Holocaust theology and her reflections on Esther’s transformation from hidden figure to Jewish savior.
Click here for Dr. Tanya White's bio and podcast. Lees meerCo-host Noam Weissman will be back in two weeks. In the meantime, get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
The Weaponization of International Law with Natasha Hausdorff
5 maart 2025 · 52 min
Mijal and Noam sit down with barrister and legal expert Natasha Hausdorff to explore the weaponization of international law, the ICC and UN's stance on Israel. They discuss the challenges of lawfare in the modern world. In their conversation, Natasha breaks down complex legal frameworks, debunks myths about genocide allegations and proportionality in war, and clarifies misconceptions surrounding the West Bank and occupation debate.
Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
Natasha Hausdorff's bio:
Natasha Hausdorff is a barrister and expert commentator on international law, including the law of armed conflict, foreign affairs and national security policy. She is a sought-after keynote speaker on lawfare and the weaponization of international law against Israel. She regularly briefs politicians and international organisations and has spoken at Parliaments across Europe and at the United Nations. Natasha is a frequent contributor on legal matters for international media, including the BBC, Sky News, CNN, GB News, Talk TV and Fox and has written for publications including the Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, The Times, The Mail and Law Society Gazette. She holds law degrees from Oxford and Tel Aviv Universities and was a Fellow in the National Security Law Programme at Columbia Law School in New York. Natasha previously worked for American law firm Skadden Arps, in London and Brussels, and clerked for the President of the Israeli Supreme Court, Chief Justice Miriam Naor, in Jerusalem. She serves as legal director of UK Lawyers for Israel Charitable Trust.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold Lees meer -
Exploring Religious Zionism with Yair Ettinger
27 februari 2025 · 39 min
Mijal and Noam dive into the complexities of religious Zionism in Israel with renowned journalist, Yair Ettinger. They explore the historical roots of the movement, from the pragmatic vision of Rabbi Reines to the messianic approach of Rabbi Kook and discuss how these ideologies helped shape modern Israeli society. They ask tough questions, including why figures such as Meir Kahane are resurfacing in popular discourse. With the rise of hardline religious Zionist factions, Mijal and Noam delve into what religious Zionism means today, its diversity and its role in Israel’s security, politics, and peace efforts. Lees meer
Frayed by Yair Ettinger
Click here for Yair Ettinger's full bio.
Yair Ettinger is a former Kogod Research Fellow at Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and an Israeli journalist whose work focuses primarily on religious affairs, the religious and Haredi communities, and their politics. Previously, he covered issues relating to Palestinian citizens of Israel and was a foreign affairs correspondent in Paris. Until 2017, he served as a journalist with Ha’aretz for 20 years.Get in touch at our new email address: WonderingJews@unpacked.media and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
Should Jews Move to Israel?: Zionism, Aliyah, and Jewish Identity
20 februari 2025 · 45 min
This week, Mijal and Noam dive into the existential question of Diaspora Jews: Should Jews move to Israel? Mijal and Noam engage in a thought provoking conversation about Zionism, Aliyah and Jewish identity. They explore historical, religious, and philosophical debates about Aliyah, which literally means ascent or rise and refers to Jewish immigration to Israel. Mijal and Noam share their personal stories, experiences of cognitive dissonance and insights from great Jewish thinkers. Together, they unpack some of the complexities of living in the Diaspora versus embracing life in Israel. Lees meer
Here are some of the sources referenced in the episode:
Unpacking Israeli History: Does Israel Represent All Jews?: The Great Debate
Blaustein/Ben Gurion exchange
Lubavitcher Rebbe’s response to Ariel SharonProgramming note: Next week, Wondering Jews will release its new episode on Thursday.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
------------
This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
Is "Zionism" Dead?: Re-Defining Identity in 2025
12 februari 2025 · 45 min
Mijal and Noam are back with a provocative conversation about the term Zionism and what it means to be a Zionist today. They explore whether the term itself does more harm than good and discuss why it’s so polarizing. Listen to Mijal and Noam grapple with questions about Zionism's relevance by drawing on research, insight and personal reflections about language, history, and identity. Lees meer
Report by Matthew Boxer: What is Zionism? Assessing the Diversity of Discourse in a Charged Environment
Programming note: Next week, Wondering Jews will release its new episode on Thursday.
Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold -
A Journey through Zionism: Identity, Politics and Faith #1 Listener Pick (Re-release)
5 februari 2025 · 45 min
This week, we are re-releasing the top episode chosen by Wondering Jews' loyal listeners. Mijal and Noam are joined by special guest Rabbi Joe Schwartz, director of Makom, the Israel Education Laboratory of the Jewish Agency. They explore the complexities of Jewish identity, Zionism, and the evolving relationship between Israel and the global Jewish community, particularly in light of the events of October 7th. The discussion includes the challenges of bridging the gap between American Jewry and Israel, the implications of Israel's rightward political shift, and personal reflections on what it means to be a Zionist today. Lees meer
Get in touch at WonderingJews@jewishunpacked.com, and call us, 1-833-WON-Jews.
Follow @jewishunpacked on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube.
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This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media.
For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:
Jewish History Nerds
Unpacking Israeli History
Soulful Jewish Living
Stars of David with Elon Gold