Episode: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew — Behind the Book
In this episode of Two Rabbis, Three Opinions, Rabbis Barry Diamond and Ari Averbach welcome Rachel Holtzman, the credited book collaborator (“book doula”) for Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby.
Together they explore:
- How the book came to be — from Emmanuel Acho’s original “Uncomfortable Conversations” series to his collaboration with Noa Tishby, and why the title itself became a reclamation of the word “Jew.”
- The whirlwind process of writing and publishing the book in under a year after October 7th, balancing urgency with accuracy and integrity.
- Rachel’s unique role navigating two strong voices, sensitive topics, and extensive research to create an accessible, conversational text for both Jewish and non-Jewish readers.
- Key themes of the book — bridging divides, confronting assumptions, validating Jewish identity, and equipping readers to speak about Judaism, Zionism, and antisemitism with confidence and nuance.
- How to use the book as a springboard for meaningful dialogue in congregations, classrooms, interfaith spaces, and even family conversations.
Rachel also shares how the project reshaped her own Jewish identity and offers practical wisdom on allyship, self-awareness, and showing up authentically as Jews in everyday life.
Listen in for a rich, behind-the-scenes look at a book designed not just to inform but to spark the “uncomfortable” conversations our communities most need.
