Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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Living as a Proud, Public New York Jew with “Boy With No Job” Ben Soffer

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Season 2 premieres THIS TUESDAY September 30th! And we’ll continue dropping 30 Minute Mensches every Thursday. A double dose of BJJP every week!

This season features more incredible guests beginning with Jason Alexander, Tomer Peretz, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Sarah Hurwitz, Sarah Podemski & Lani Anpo, Jake Tapper and many more!

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you don’t miss a moment!

2 days ago

1 minute 29 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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What is the Purpose of Judaism? Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin Has The Answer… And It’s Not What You Think!

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What does it mean to live proudly and publicly Jewish in New York City, with the possibility of Zohran Mamdani as mayor looming large? Ask Ben Soffer, better known as @BoyWithNoJob to his over 1 million followers online. In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Ben — CEO of Spritz Society wine cocktails, co-host of the hit Good Guys podcast with Josh Peck, husband to viral creator Claudia Oshry (Girl With No Job), and proud modern Orthodox Jew — to talk about faith, family, social media, and Jewish pride in today’s charged climate. Together, Jonah and Ben dig into

How Ben built a unique modern Orthodox identity on his own terms
What it feels like to wear a kippah on the streets of New York amid rising anti-Jew bigotry
The effect October 7th had on his Jewish identity… or didn’t?
How becoming a father deepened his sense of connection to God and Jewish continuity
The story behind Spritz Society — and how a viral April Fool’s joke turned into a real-life savory cocktail courtesy of Claussen’s Pickles!

From candid takes on community safety to spreading Jewish joy through humor (and beverages!), Ben Soffer embodies what it means to be unapologetically yourself — and unapologetically Jewish — in the digital age. Listen now to hear how one of the internet’s most authentic voices is shaping Jewish identity for a new generation.

Connect with Our Guest

Ben Soffer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boywithnojob/

Ben Soffer & Josh Peck’s Podcast “The Good Guys” https://www.instagram.com/goodguys/

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo' Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson; Editor: Jacob Kindberg; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

Mentioned In Episode

5 days ago

30 minutes 49 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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Anti-Jew Propaganda in the Hispanic World with Fuente Latina CEO Leah Soibel

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What does it mean to reclaim Judaism not in the synagogue — but at the family table? That’s the vision of Rabbi David Bashevkin, author, podcaster, educator and one of today’s most engaging Modern Orthodox voices. In this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Rabbi Bashevkin to explore how Judaism can speak authentically to modern life and why Jewish identity is ultimately about integrating our “unchosen” identities with the “chosen” ones.

Rabbi Bashevkin shares:

Why Jewish life must begin in the home, not in synagogues or textbooks
How Judaism helps us integrate our unchosen identity (family, history, peoplehood) with our chosen paths in life
The importance of 1840 — a mystical year that reshaped Jewish thought, technology, and modern identity
Why Jewish education must instill a love of lifelong learning– not just through graduation
The urgent need for bridge-building within the Jewish community — and how to turn religious difference into dialogue
Why teens crave authenticity, and how NCSY empowers them through peer-to-peer mentorship
The challenge of negative Orthodox representation in the media — and why Judaism is meant for the imperfect among us

Rabbi Bashevkin’s work through his platform 18Forty (essays, podcasts, and conversations at 1840.org) opens the door for “post-institutional Jews” and anyone searching for meaning beyond the classroom. Listen to this episode to find out why Judaism isn’t just about survival or fighting antisemitism — it’s about rediscovering purpose, family, and the sanctity of everyday existence.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo' Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson. Editor: Jacob Kindberg and Kevin Maynard; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

More on Dovid Bashevkin

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1 week ago

31 minutes 24 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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There’s No One Way to Orthodox with Jewish TikTok Star Melinda Strauss

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In this eye-opening episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Leah Soibel, an Argentine-American Jew and the founder and CEO of Fuente Latina, to explore her remarkable journey — from studying across the Middle East during the Second Intifada to becoming a leading voice for Latino-Jewish allyship. Leah spent years immersed in Cairo, Beirut, and beyond, before building the first organization dedicated to connecting Spanish-speaking journalists with accurate, on-the-ground stories from Israel.

Leah shares:

Her experiences as the only American Jew debating at a “Mock Arab League” in Cairo — and what she learned about misunderstanding vs. hatred
How traveling solo across Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza shaped her perspective on media, politics, and truth
Why she founded Fuente Latina — and how it bridges the gap between Israel and over 500 million Spanish speakers worldwide
The rise of antisemitism in Spain — and the quiet network of allies working behind the scenes
Why Latin American immigrants to Israel were among the hardest hit on October 7th — and the powerful new docuseries sharing their stories
Why U.S. Latinos, the fastest-growing voting bloc, may be the strongest future allies for Israel and the Jewish community

Leah’s story is one of courage, strategy, and vision — showing how truth and relationships can combat misinformation and build bridges across cultures. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. Listen now and join the movement for Latino-Jewish allyship.

More On Leah Soibel

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew ‘MoJo’ Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili & Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère. Editor: Jacob Kindberg and Kevin Maynard; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

Mentioned in Episode

2 weeks ago

30 minutes 40 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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Melinda Strauss is a modern Orthodox Jewish influencer and food blogger who passionately believes that Jewish joy is resistance and Jewish presence is power. Her digital journey began with a singular mission: to share, educate and enlighten others about the richness of Orthodox Jewish life. Feeling consistently misrepresented and misunderstood, Melinda took it upon herself to authentically showcase Orthodox Jewish identity to the world.

What started with kosher recipe videos quickly grew into a powerful platform that highlights Jewish traditions, such as putting on Tefillin or wearing a Yarmulke. Her content has been met with some hate - but more curiosity and compassion. Today, Melinda Strauss is a vocal advocate for Jewish people, using her voice to increase visibility, fight anti-Jewish bigotry and celebrate Jewish heritage and culture globally — and she’s only just getting started.

In this conversation with Jonah, Melinda discusses:

The current climate and safety concerns facing the global Jewish community
Melinda’s upcoming kosher cookbook Eat Jewish: 100 Recipes That Blend Jewish Heritage, Modern Flavors and Family Traditions
Her personal journey living with Type 1 Diabetes
Her nuanced thoughts on certain Jewish laws, including The Get
The rich, diverse, and evolving tapestry of Orthodox Jewish identity

Being Jewish Listener Survey (please help us!)

Host & Production Team

Host/Creator: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Editor: Kai Patterson; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

More Melinda Strauss

Mentioned in Episode

3 weeks ago

26 minutes 30 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Israeli Michelin Chef Eyal Shani - Uniting Humanity Through Food

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In this deliciously inspiring episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with world-renowned Israeli Chef Eyal Shani — the culinary visionary behind Miznon, HaSalon, Malkah, and dozens of other Israeli restaurants around the globe. As a ninth-generation Jerusalemite with no formal culinary training, Chef Eyal has redefined Israeli cuisine and hospitality while carrying out a mission much bigger than food– spreading positive energy, peace, and connection with each bite. Just days after the horrific October 7th attack, Chef Eyal was awarded the coveted Michelin star for his New York restaurant Shmone, but chose not to attend the ceremony. Why? He was busy cooking thousands of meals for soldiers on the Gaza border, embodying his belief that food is truly about people, not prizes.

Together, Jonah and Chef Eyal explore:

Why he treats every ingredient — from cucumbers to prime rib — as a living “creature” with a will and a story
The night violent anti-Israel agitators attacked the Melbourne branch of his restaurant Miznon, and how Lebanese neighbors saved his team’s lives
How his deep connection to the Palestinian women of the Jerusalem markets inspired his earliest dishes
Why he believes food can reunite Israelis and Palestinians — and create “a new Israel” after war
His vision for opening a boutique hotel and restaurant on the Gaza border as a symbol of renewal

Chef Shani’s philosophy is radical yet simple: there are no borders in food, only human beings. Don’t miss this extraordinary conversation with a chef whose cooking has become a language of hope. Listen to the full episode now and be part of the conversation.

Being Jewish Listener Survey (please help us!)

All Things Chef Eyal!

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew "MoJo" Jones; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Editor: Kai Patterson; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell; Production Assistant: Emma Webb; Theme Music by Gabriel Mann

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

1 month ago

27 minutes 43 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Should Music Be Political? With Grammy-Winning Jewish Musician Joanie Leeds

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It’s music meets mishpacha in this heartfelt new episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches! Grammy-winning Jewish children’s music artist Joanie Leeds joins Jonah to share stories about the triumphs and challenges of making Jewish music in today’s climate. They discuss the debut of her 12th studio album Ageless, an ode to multi-generational heritage and Jewish values. Joanie and Jonah also tackle the line between music as political expression and music as the universal language of unity. They also get into:

🎶 How Joanie turned banned children’s books into the protest album Freadom
✡️ The challenges of advocating for a Jewish music category at the Grammys
🎤 Collaborating with her daughter on song and on the stage
📚 The greatness of Jewish hero Ruth Bader Ginsburg
🎸 Balancing inclusivity and political messaging in family-friendly music

Press Play and join us for 30 minutes of music, meaning, and Jewish joy!

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All Things Joanie!

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Editor: Post Relativity & Mike O’ Brien; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

1 month ago

28 minutes 37 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

The Secret History of Crypto-Jews with Mexican-American Jew Blanca Carrasco

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The Truth about Israeli Minorities with Lebanese Christian activist Jonathan Elkhoury

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What happens when you grow up Catholic in Mexico — and discover you’re secretly Jewish?

In this riveting episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with Blanca Carrasco, a descendant of Crypto-Jews who only discovered her family’s secret heritage at age 50. Now the president of the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, Blanca unpacks the unknown history of Crypto-Jews — descendants of Jews who secretly maintained their faith after being forced to convert during the Spanish Inquisition. Blanca shares her extraordinary journey to discover who her true family is. She’s a leader in the global movement helping descendants of forcibly converted Jews reclaim their heritage.

Blanca opens up about:

🕯️ How the Spanish Inquisition forced her ancestors to flee Spain and hide their Judaism for generations
✝️ Being raised devoutly Catholic — and the moment she began questioning what she was taught
🔯 Her path from Messianic Judaism to a full Jewish conversion
📜 The Facebook post that led to the discovery of her secret family tree
🎓 Her work with the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, and why their academic research has personal meaning for thousands of “Anusim” around the world
🎬 A sneak peek into the Society's upcoming Los Angeles conference, including an opera, film screenings, and a genealogy workshop with Jeannie Milgrom

From Monterrey to El Paso, from the Church to the shul, Blanca’s story is a global tale of discovery, identity, and reconnection. Her life proves that history isn’t just in books — it’s in your blood. Hit play to discover how centuries of hidden history came full circle, and what Blanca’s story means for all of us.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew "MoJo" Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Sean Leviashvili); Editor: Post Relativity & Mike O’ Brien; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

1 month ago

25 minutes 36 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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The Wonderful World of Jewish Identity with Disney Animator Saul Blinkoff

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What’s it like to be a gay Lebanese Christian — and proudly Zionist?

In this powerful episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with international Jonathan Elkhoury, a proud Israeli citizen who is challenging false media narratives and misconceptions about Israel one campus conversation at a time. Born in Lebanon to a father who fought alongside the IDF during Israel’s 1982 intervention in the Lebanese civil war, Jonathan fled Hezbollah rule and found refuge in Israel at age 9. He shares the harrowing story of his family’s escape, his emotional reunion with his father, and how Israel not only gave him safety, but also the freedom to live openly as a gay man — the only Middle Eastern country where that’s possible.

Jonathan also speaks out about:

🏳️‍🌈 Israel’s track record on LGBTQ rights — and the lie of “pinkwashing”
🎓 How he confronts anti-Israel misinformation on college campuses — even after being spat on, kicked, and targeted for his views
🧱 How he combats "Israeli Apartheid Week" with the truth of his lived experiences
👤 What it means to be a “minority within a minority within a minority” — and why he still stands with Israel
📺 Why mainstream media — including the BBC — continues to fail on the Middle East
🔥 The real reasons Israel went into Lebanon in 1982 — and the Palestinian terrorism that sparked a civil war

Jonathan’s story is a living example of intersectionality — and how true human rights work means defending people, not slogans. He is the voice anti-Israel activists try to silence. Don’t miss hearing him on this week’s can’t miss episode.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Emma Webb); Editor: Rainbow Creative Team; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

Follow Jonathan on:

IG: @jon_elk

X: @Jonathan_Elk

MENTIONED IN EPISODE:

2 months ago

30 minutes 59 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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SERIES PREMIERE! 30 Minute Mensches: Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel’s Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism

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In this inspiring episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt: 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah sits down with acclaimed Disney animator, filmmaker, and motivational speaker Saul Blinkoff for a powerful conversation about Jewish resilience, Disney magic, and living a life of purpose. Together, they explore how timeless Jewish values are embedded in iconic animated films like The Lion King, and Saul speaks passionately about finding meaning in your Jewish identity every day, and the importance of living with responsibility and intention.

Saul reflects on his transformative trips to Israel as a guide with the nonprofit Momentum, and urges Jews worldwide to "LIVE FOR the Jewish people" as Israeli sons and daughters die to defend them. He and Jonah discuss how Jewish resilience, hope, and creativity can be antidotes to despair, even in the face of the horrors of October 7th. They also tackle:

⁇ Was Walt Disney really an antisemite?
🎬 The hidden Jewish values in your favorite Disney films
🇮🇱 Why Saul insists it’s safe (and necessary) to go to Israel right NOW
🌟 The miraculous story of Omer Shem Tov, who kept his hope and Jewish identity alive, even as a Hamas hostage in Gaza
And much more

If you’re looking for inspiration, wisdom, and practical ways to infuse your life with purpose and Jewish pride, this episode is a must-watch!

Subscribe for more episodes of 30 Minute Mensches and join the conversation about what it truly means to be Jewish today.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Nathan Wheatley, Valerie Patterson); Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

MENTIONED IN EPISODE:

All things Saul Blinkoff:

www.SaulBlinkoff.com

IG: @Saul.Blinkoff

Life of Awesome Podcast

2 months ago

28 minutes 2 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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SEASON 1 FINALE! My Inspiration & Jewish Federation Chairwoman Julie Platt

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In the premiere of our new series 30 Minute Mensches, Jonah Platt sits down with Michal Cotler-Wunsh — former Knesset member and Israel’s Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism — for a long-overdue conversation about the eighth front of war: the battle for public opinion. Jonah and Michal discuss how antisemitism has manifested itself today, particularly through using anti-Zionist rhetoric, and how Israelis may feel a disconnect from that. Michal gives her perspective on how institutions such as the UN, Amnesty International, and elite universities have not only tolerated but enabled and normalized antisemitic double standards under the guise of progressive activism. Jonah challenges Michal to help make sense of the widespread moral confusion and media failures that culminate to chants such as “Death to the IDF,” and asks how we can bridge the gap with well-meaning people who have been misled by catchy headlines and ill-informed outrage. This episode answers the question of why antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, but a global one, and what we can do to fight it.

This episode tackles:

🧠 Why Michal’s role as Israel’s antisemitism envoy is so crucial today, especially in combating widespread misinformation and harmful rhetoric.
🎓 How university presidents and U.S. officials have failed to take a stand in the face of rising Jew-hatred
🕍 Why most Israelis don’t understand global antisemitism — and why they need to
📖 The 3 R’s: Remember, Reclaim, Renew — a framework for Jewish pride
👤How human rights advocacy has been hijacked and weaponized by anti-Zionists.

—

🎙️ 30 Minute Mensches is a new short-form edition of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt — spotlighting diverse voices doing meaningful work across Jewish and allied communities.

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sasha Nelson; Content Director: Alexandra Fugère; Associate Producer: Emma Webb, Nathan Wheatley, Valerie Patterson); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Graphic Designer: Noah Bell

2 months ago

28 minutes 51 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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A VERY special episode!! Julie Platt — lifelong Jewish leader, philanthropist, Chairwoman of Jewish Federations of North America– and Jonah’s mom! — joins Jonah for the highly anticipated Season One finale of Being Jewish. Her tenure as Chairwoman of the Diaspora’s largest philanthropic organization has seen Julie lead the Jewish community through Covid, the war in Ukraine, the horrors of October 7th and its aftermath, Israel’s war with Iran, and more. Through these crises and her decades of leadership, Julie has amassed a lifetime of wisdom and experience that she generously and candidly shares with Jonah and the BJJP community.

If you’ve ever asked, “What can I do to help?” — this is the episode for you. Julie offers rich stories, practical insights, and inspiring advice to power up the leader in each of us.

In this dynamic and heartfelt episode, Jonah and Julie dive into:

✡️ Why and how to be a leader
🏕️ Why Jewish Summer Camp is more than just fun — it’s formative
🌍 All the big Jewish orgs– AJC, ADL, JFNA, FJC, JDC, Hillel, Prizmah, The Jewish Agency– and how they’re trying to work together as never before
🇮🇱 When Julie received Israel’s highest civilian honor from President Isaac Herzog
🎓 Campus antisemitism in America — and how as interim board president, Julie helped steer the University of Pennsylvania through the most chaotic period in the school’s history
😂 A hilarious and personal peek inside Jonah and Julie’s own family dynamic

It’s a finale full of heart, humor, and hope — guaranteed to leave you empowered, emboldened, and inspired to be a leader, even from the comfort of your own home.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editors: Patrick Edwards & Nathan Wheatley); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; Interns: Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb

The Key to Being Jewish & Israeli-American activist Noa Tishby

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

3 months ago

1 hour 8 minutes 46 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Thank you to Jacob Fenton & Phil Kastel for sponsoring this episode, in honor of the lives lost during the Shoah, and the blessed lives who endured.

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Jonah sits down with Israeli powerhouse Noa Tishby — author of Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, former Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, producer of HBO’s In Treatment, and one of the most influential voices in modern Jewish advocacy. From the get-go, they explore a hard truth: Ending antisemitism is not a tangible goal to achieve, but a context in which we live.

Together, Jonah and Noa dive deep into:

🇮🇱 Noa’s unique journey from Israeli stardom to Hollywood success
🕍 The key differences between Israeli and American Jewish identity
📕Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew, the book she co-wrote with NFL star Emmanuel Acho
🔥 Noa’s take on the Iran threat, Gaza war, and what's happening in Judea & Samaria
📺 Behind-the-scenes on how she brought Peabody-winning series In Treatment to HBO
📸 The story behind her viral celebrity Hanukkah videos with Gwyneth Paltrow, Mila Kunis, Gal Gadot, Tiffany Haddish, Van Jones, and Cindy Crawford
🎓Anti-Jew bigotry, Nova survivors, and having an impact on college campuses
📺 Plus: Noa’s must-watch TV picks, personal stories, laughs, and more

This is a no holds barred, no B.S. conversation – the Jewish advocacy crossover episode you’ve been waiting for!

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editors: Patrick Edwards & Nathan Wheatley); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; Interns: Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb

https://www.noatishby.com/

Learn More About Noa Tishby

Israel: A Simple Guide To Understanding The Most Misunderstood Country on Earth by Noa Tishby

Noa’s Favorite Follows on Instagram

@AWiderFrame

@HenMazzig

@MichaelRappaport

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

3 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes 32 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

A New Segment! & “Jews Don’t Count” with British comedian David Baddiel

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David Baddiel — comedian, author, public intellectual, and the UK’s most outspoken Jewish voice — joins Jonah to unpack the core ideas behind his groundbreaking book Jews Don’t Count. With his characteristic wit and unflinching eye for truth, Baddiel deconstructs contemporary anti-Jew racism, explaining how it functions, its origins, why it persists in “progressive” spaces, how it’s different from traditional antisemitism, and why Jews are so often excluded from conversations about representation, identity, and minority status.

💬 Topics include:

The double standards in how antisemitism is treated compared to other forms of racism
Baddiel’s confusing Jewish upbringing and identity struggles
His family’s escape from Nazi Germany and his grandfather’s unjust internment on the Isle of Man
Antisemitism in UK football culture
What it means to be a “Non-Zionist”
Baddiel’s atheist yearning for divine comfort aka The God Desire
His podcast with Muslim politician Sayeeda Warsi: A Jew and a Muslim Go There 🎧
And why “Jews don’t count” as a minority when it comes to media representation on shows like Friends and Seinfeld 📺

This is a must-watch conversation for anyone interested in understanding contemporary antisemitism, generational trauma, and the challenges of fighting anti-Jew racism in today’s complex “woke” climate.

Like, subscribe, and share to help us keep these important conversations going.

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editors: Patrick Edwards & Nathan Wheatley); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; Interns: Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb

Jewish Women & Auburn Basketball Head Coach Bruce Pearl

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

3 months ago

1 hour 5 minutes 39 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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Jonah@JonahPlatt.com

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Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

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Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

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Auburn Men's Basketball head coach Bruce Pearl joins Jonah for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about life, leadership, and faith, only a few weeks after leading Auburn to their second NCAA Final Four. A legendary figure in college basketball, Coach Pearl opens up about his Jewish heritage, his decision to speak up for the Israeli hostages in the middle of the NCAA March Madness Tournament, his ideas for the Middle East post-Gaza/Israel war, and his mission to build bridges between different communities of faith around the world.

🎙️ Other topics include:

The Jewish Evangelical Christian Alliance
Interfaith marriage
The truth about Palestine and Qatar
Real-World coaching scenarios
Being a Jewish coach in Alabama
What’s broken in American Jewish education

Whether you're passionate about sports, Judaism, or geopolitics, this episode offers a rare and inspiring look at the intersection of athletics, identity, and advocacy.

Darwin’s Finches and “Call Me By Your Name” author André Aciman

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editors: Patrick Edwards & Nathan Wheatley); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell; Interns: Sasha Nelson & Emma Webb

MENTIONED IN EPISODE

3 months ago

55 minutes 58 seconds

Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Watch Being Jewish on YouTube:

Subscribe to the Being Jewish Newsletter:

For Sponsorships, please email:

Jonah@JonahPlatt.com

To contact us & all things BJJP:

Follow Jonah on:

Instagram - @JonahPlatt

Follow Being Jewish on:

Instagram - @BeingJewishPodcast

TikTok - @BeingJewish

Jonah Platt sits down with celebrated author André Aciman, the literary voice behind the beloved novel Call Me By Your Name, in this intimate and illuminating conversation. Known for his lyrical prose and deep explorations of longing, identity, and exile, Aciman opens up about his Sephardic Jewish heritage, his family's displacement from Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Spain, and the Dalmatian Coast, and how a lifelong sense of otherness has shaped his storytelling.

Together, they dive into the emotional layers of young love, memory, and spiritual yearning that define Aciman’s most iconic works. He also shares behind-the-scenes insights into his latest book, Room on the Sea, and teases what’s next in his creative journey.

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his world, this episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of our most thoughtful contemporary writers.

Watch the episode on YouTube here! https://youtu.be/kVGjzdl2nEQ

Host & Production Team

Host: Jonah Platt; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Story Producer: Sean Leviashvili; Editors: Patrick Edwards & Nathan Wheatley); Consulting Producer: Bethany Mandel; Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald; Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild; Creative Associate: Rachel Stern; Social Media Manager: Yuval Yosha; Graphic Designer Noah Bell